Any Home Alarm Experts Around?

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scuwp

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Topic # 113844 29-Jan-2013 19:46
I have a professionally installed Paradox home alarm system which has given faultless service for 4+ years. Suddenly we are getting false alarm triggers, the control panel showing "Tamper" as the reason, which I assume means a tamper switch is triggering it to go off. It seems to trigger when the garage door is opened or closed, there is no sensor or keypad nearby, however the outside alarm siren/light box is mounted nearby so suspect the vibrations of the door might be upsetting something? I have pulled the cover off, confirmed no moisture or bugs have got in there, and checked all wiring is firmly connected, and given it a blow out of dust and cobwebs. The tamper switch inside the siren box seems to switch on/off with a nice positive action, and I can hear it clicking on when I replace the cover. Can't see any damage or deterioration on the components but have not individually tested them (that's grasping at the limits of my knowledge) Any suggestions? or is it time to call in the experts and shell out some hard earned $$$ (Damn!!!) Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

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Reply # 752870 29-Jan-2013 19:53
Not a pro alarm installer, however did you see a tamper switch in the alarm panel itself? What's the paradox model number... I've got a few manuals on pdf (installer guides) and if your inclined you might be able to make/buy a test lead and use your laptop to program/diagnose. (you need the installer/master code though). You will find most alarm techs charge out at 50-60 pinga per hour and parts are usually around $100 each depending on what failed (could be a sensor or even the wiring of and the tamper switch on the siren). Might be a good time to replace the batterys too? (DSE stock these and theres plenty around online too). Oh, our paradox is wired to the garage doors so we can use the supplied remote to also open/close the doors (but there is no link to trigger the alarm, however uses the aux IO only). Goodluck.

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 752871 29-Jan-2013 19:54
Can you confirm that is the cause? The easiest way may be to bypass that tamper switch at the terminals and leave it N/C or N/O (depending what the original state is). *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

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Uber Geek

Reply # 752930 29-Jan-2013 21:18
Yeah, have checked the tamper switches in the control panel and in each sensor. All seems ok. The garage door idea sounds good, might check that out. sbiddle: thanks for the suggestion, will have a look during daylight hours. Alarm is definitely showing a tamper trigger as opposed to just a sensor false alarm. Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 752939 29-Jan-2013 21:33
Have you chaanged your phone wiring? Many will register a tamper if the phoneline is disconnected, so if the siren isn't the issue it's worth looking at. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

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Reply # 752942 29-Jan-2013 21:42
Where is the master box? we were getting tamper alarms on ours as our master box was in the roof on a piece of framing that flexed...i knocked it one day when up there, and then after that it would trigger in the wind. Have since removed the tamper (they;re already in the house if they can play with that), and used teh circuit for a panic switch. Previously knows as psycik NextPVR Based HTPC: 2 x HVR3000 - DVB-S - Freeview, HVR3000 - DVB-T Freeview\|HD, Nova-T 500 - Dual Freeview\|HD, Digital Coax --> Yamaha RX-v540, 8600GT --> Samsung LA46A650D via HDMI Clients: Popcorn Hour A-100, 1xATV2, 1xATV3 Windows 7 Ultimate Host 4x2TB + 1x1.5TB using DriveBender, VMWare Server 2 with 1xW7, 2xW2k3 1xUbuntu 11.10 Desktop, 1xWHS2011, Plex

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Reply # 752946 29-Jan-2013 21:46
Just a thought: my siren box has two tamper switches - one against the wall of the house and one that is depressed by the keeper screw that holds the front on. Possible that you might have missed a second tamper switch in there?

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Uber Geek

Reply # 752952 29-Jan-2013 21:58
Nothing has changed on the system or at the house since installed. Performed faultlessly until 2 days ago. Didn't know about the second tamper on the main box...will check that one out tomorrow. I am reluctant to disable all the tampers, shame the system won't tell me (it might tell a tech with the right computer diagnostics program) which one is faulty. By my count I have 9 to choose from! Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!