Re: Installalation Tips and Tools

[julian <julian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 19 May 2006 13:02:25 GMT, Frank Olson
<Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Rapid wrote:
>> Frank Olson wrote:
>>
>>> Robert L Bass wrote:
>>>
>>>>> I can remember my first tech tip way back in junior high school
>>>>> electric shop.  It was wrapping a stripped wire properly around a
>>>>> screw terminal. An old time shop teacher that made sure we had good
>>>>> basic install skills. A very nice and basic tip.  While this seems
>>>>> obvious to many of us techs, you would be surprised how many wires I
>>>>> see wrapped the wrong way.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I like to use stranded cable for transformers.  It doesn't break like
>>>> solid core cable can if the wire is flexed a bunch of times.  Also,
>>>> if I have some in the tool kit I crimp spade lugs on the wires rather
>>>> than wrap bare wires around the screw terminals.  This isn't entirely
>>>> necessary but it makes a good, solid connection and there's no chance
>>>> of a stray strand shorting the adjacent terminal.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Why would the wire "flex" a "bunch of times"?  I realize that you guys
>>> int he US really like those screw-in "wall warts", but isn't the screw
>>> supposed to discourage the customer from unplugging it?  And wouldn't
>>> you use a plug that was "out of the way" and not prone to occasional
>>> use?  Our contract stipulates that we must have a dedicated unburdened
>>> circuit for the panel.  Around these parts we use a wire in
>>> transformer, and all solid core wires.
>>
>>
>> here in the states if we used a wire in xfrmr we would have to have a
>> high voltage electrician come in to wire it to stay within code, since
>> us alarm guys are low voltage licensed.  That's why we use the wall
>> warts.  I'm sure that wouldn't stop some but .........What do you do up
>> there?  Can a low voltage guy wire in an xfrmr to the high voltage
>> [110V]or do youse guys just do it and damn the torpedos.
>> [like I'm sure many do down here]:)
>
>
>Running the wire and installing the box technically requires an
>electrician.  The customer sets this up before our guys come on site.
>Installing the transformer is pretty well a "no brainer" although an
>Electrical "C" ticket (limited license) is often listed as a
>requirement.  We pull permits on all our jobs, so they're done right (no
>exceptions).


In BC - you ARE from eh Frank - all alarm technicians who have a
Trades Qualification Cert can make one change to the electrical system
of a building. They can install a wire-in transformer on any existing
electrical outlet or suitable junction box. An extension ring can be
installed if the outlet is flush mounted. But that's it folks,
electricians must be called in to do everything else.

If you are a lick-and-stick company - Alarmforce are you listening? -
you can get around having qualified techs by using wall warts. SNIF
alarms was the same.

The only reason I now use the plug-in xfomer when possible is to
provide surge protection. But plug-ins must be out of the way -
basically inaccessible - or the place gets a wire-in.

Julian