Question about home security wiring
 

Dad gave me an old Radio Shack alarm panel (Safehouse 49-475) and a couple of old passive IR motion sensors (49-208). The panel has 4 zones and each has a NC, NO, and GND terminal. The motion sensor has six terminals - a pair of NC, a pair of NO and +/-. I have documentation that kind of says to hook up both the NC and NO wires and share the common/GND between them. This seems strange to me but I did it anyway. The box indicates the zone has been broken (alarmed) but the motion detector does not indicate this until I wave my hand in front of it (LED activates). I've hooked it up NO only, NC only, and both NC/NO per instructions. Each of those combos give me an instant alarm. I have tried both sensors and the results are the same. The control box could be broken but I am going to assume that I am not understanding how to hook up the system. Any ideas?

Start with the basics:

Install a jumper between NC and Common for all four zones, directly at the panel. Power it up and arm it. This should not cause an alarm.

Now remove the jumper from Zone 1 NC, which should cause an alarm.

Put the jumper back and re-arm. Temporarily jump between NO and Com for Zone 1. This also should cause an alarm.

Repeat for Zones 2-4 to fully validate the alarm panel.



On the sensors themselves, what is the setting of jumper P3?

Ah, I should have mentioned that I did do a basic jumper test on that zone. I do have jumpers on the other 3 zones and have not seen a problem with them. I have not swapped my motion detector to another zone but probably could just for troubleshooting.

P1 and P2 are strapped. P3 is open. My documentation does not indicate that there is a P3 (my 2nd sensor does not have one).


Side question. I notice that my father jumped the fire detector NO with a resistor. I have seen this on other applications and was just wondering (I know you know the answer <G>) the purpose of using a resistor.

Oh, I will get the latest docs and see what P3 is all about. Thanks for mentioning it...

Well, problem solved! That was easy. It looks like it was a faulty sensor. I thought I had tried both of them but I was so confused over the docs indicating to use both NC/NO that I may have tried the same sensor twice. Anyway, it looks like everything is working fine now! Thanks Joe!!!

I think mostly the people are now using wireless security system because in this way you don't need to install all the wiring and also they have low maintenance charges Because you can also get alert on your mobile with that security systems.