Re: Advice on sensors, please

["Bob Worthy" <securinc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You must also think about power requirements. By overloading a panel with
devices that require power and you start to reach the max amount of current
draw or exceed it, you will start to have problems and possible false
alarms. Dual tech motions (microwave)are power hungry for instance. Keypads,
audios, smokes, etc all require power and the numbers are cumulative (amps
not volts) You will probably want to consider an additional power supply and
the batteries should also be on the higher side as far as Ah's. Don't float
your grounds if you add additional power.


"Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1119631360.031957.272300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
> Old Dad Smith wrote:
> > The plan may be misleading - there is no partition between the Playroom
> > and Lounge room, only a couple of steps. Therefore, I am hoping that
> > sensor 5 will cover the 30 ft. distance to the patio doors and detect
> > someone breaking the glass.
> >
> > I intend to use combined PIR/microwave sensors to avoid radiators
> > triggering the alarm.
>
> In addition to all the advice you've already received, I haven't looked
> at your floor plan but just the description of your system sounds as if
> your intention is only to arm the system when you are not home. OR, to
> try to arm the system with some motion detectors active, when you go to
> bed. It is adviseable to concentrate more on a perimiter system with
> motion/glassbreak detectors as a backup. Motion detectors were/are not
> meant to be a primary form of detection. Contacts on doors and windows
> are a very stable form of detection, and allow for more versatility in
> the use of your system. You can count on the fact that the easier it is
> to use, the more likely it WILL be used. Also .... More motion
> detectors .... more possibility of false alarms. Every motion/glass
> break detector should be on it's own zone, by the way. Also, it's a
> good idea from day one, to get used to arming your system when you are
> home ( and in for the night) and definitly when you go to bed. Just
> think in terms of ......... when are your most valuable things in the
> house? Just think for a moment. If you had a choice of only arming the
> system either when you were home or when you're away .... which should
> you choose?
>
> Lots of motion detectors will make arming the system while you're home
> difficult, which will cause you to not do it. And that's the most
> important time to have it armed. The basic builders smoke detectors are
> great, but don't forget smoke and heat detectors as part of your alarm
> system. Because these will allow the fire department to be called when
> you're away from the house. And when you're in the house ...... What
> good is a beeping local smoke detector when you've already been
> overcome by smoke?  This is a life safety system, skimping is the last
> thing you want to do. You'll never get another opportunity to do it as
> good as you can, while the house is being built. At the very least, run
> all the wire that you possibly can NOW.
>