Appropriate power feed for burglar alarm

[EFLImpudence]

Wouldn't a switched one being double-pole be better?

I suppose the argument is that an unswitched one will not be turned off by mistake - but if people want to do silly things...

 

[Taylortwocities]

I suppose the argument is that an unswitched one will not be turned off by mistake

I think that is exactly the point. Not everyone has your common sense.
My gran always turned off all the switches on everything before she went to bed....

 

[sparkymarka]

That’s what is specified by NACOSS and the SSAIB …..you can guarantee if it can be switched off by mistake ….it will be

 

[winston1]

It should have a unswitched fuse spur at the side of the control panel to allow isolation

No it shouldn’t. Fused spurs are not used or needed on lighting circuits. A 3a fuse has no discrimination against a 6 a MCB. Alarm panels are internally fused and their mains cables are good for 6a.

 

[Taylortwocities]

But the requirements of NACOSS etc are that there must be an unfused connection unit adjacent to the panel. That is probably so that the maintenance engineer can easily disconnect power without having to wade through the junk under the stairs, or access the locked garage, to find the consumer unit. The circuit that the panel is powered from is irrelevant.

 

[winston1]

Who or what are NACOSS? Whatever there are other ways of isolating. Many alarms are close to the CU for instance.

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

No it shouldn’t. Fused spurs are not used or needed on lighting circuits. A 3a fuse has no discrimination against a 6 a MCB. Alarm panels are internally fused and their mains cables are good for 6a.

I have my alarm system connected to the lighting circuit via an FCU and I also have a security light on the back of the house fed from the lighting circuit via an FCU. The reasoning for both is local and easy isolation and particularly for the security light so that I can change the lamp without taking power off in the rest of the house. It was on a switch originally but I kept turning it off accidentally. No need for an FCU but it makes life a bit easier

 

[winston1]

You have two unnecessary FCUs then. Who’s fault is it that you keep turning the switch off accidentally? Now I would understand if you said the misses or kids were turning it off but you yourself!

 

[winston1]

But the requirements of NACOSS etc are that there must be an unfused connection unit adjacent to the panel.

Just read this again. ‘Unfused’ connection unit. Plug and socket then, and not BS1363 as they are fused?

 

[Taylortwocities]

NO NO. The requirement of the BA companies is an unfused connection unit adjacent to the panel. Not a plug and socket, not a knife switch, not an MCB in a consumer unit that the alarm person cannot find at 3am when he gets called out to an alarm.

It’s THEIR requirement. Want your alarm looked after and maintained then you do what is required, not what your screwy brain thinks.

 

[winston1]

Why is not a plug and socket an unfused connection unit?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Why is not a plug and socket an unfused connection unit?

It is. But a plug and socket is NOT what is REQUIRED by the companies that install and maintain burglar alarm systems. Why can you not understand that?
It’s so somebody’s wife doesn’t unplug the alarm system and plug in the vacuum cleaner. Also so the engineer knows.… Oh God, why are you such a @!*^<
You never ever help on these threads, you just thrown in pointless obstructions.

 

[bernardgreen]

Why is not a plug and socket an unfused connection unit?

Winston1

The requirement is :-

(1) a means for the alarm service technician to be able to ensure the mains is disconnected from the panel
(2) a means to ensure the alarm cannot be turned off by accident.

(1) he uses a tool to disconnect the cable inside the connection unit.
(2) there is no switch that can be switched OFF.

EDIT correction of my error about connection unit being fused

 

[bernardgreen]

Who or what are NACOSS?

NACOSS, the National Approval Council for Security Systems,

The UK independent regulatory and certification body responsible for the approval of security systems.

 

[sparkymarka]

No it shouldn’t. Fused spurs are not used or needed on lighting circuits. A 3a fuse has no discrimination against a 6 a MCB. Alarm panels are internally fused and their mains cables are good for 6a.

WHERE in that sentence did I say mention lighting circuit……?