Re: Datalogger to Test False Alarms on Sensor

["Robert L Bass" <robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> i'm not too sure why you'd need to run wire for
> anything bass said... just change it in the panel
> and do a little programming... but anyway...
>
> check the continuity... make sure there's no major
> electrical interference on that wire run (being a
> warehouse afterall)... and change the motion...
> certainly cheaper and easier than all the time you'd
> spend running new wire

That is correct.  You don't need new wires (unless you later determine that
there's a problem with the wires you already have).

It is also good advice to check the circuit with an Ohm-meter.  One simple
method is to disconnect the power and zone wiring at both ends.  Then tie
the red to black and yellow (or white) to the green at the sensor end.  Now
read the resistance of each pair.  Each pair should be only a few Ohms and
both should be about the same.  If either is much higher than the other,
something's afoot with your cable.

While you're at it, check the resistance between each conductor and the
panel's earth ground.  Some panels behave erratically if there's a low-grade
short to ground on a zone loop.

Finally, hook the sensor back up to the panel, restore power (which should
have been taken off before you began work, BTW) and check the voltage at the
+ and - inputs to the sensor.  If the cable is too long and/or too small you
might have enough voltage drop to cause problems with the sensor.  The
sensor's instruction sheet specifies what is the acceptable DC operating
voltage.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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