After advice for prewiring for alarm.

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cisconz

cisconz
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#1286041 17-Apr-2015 09:18

AzaK: Do you have any idea of what cable I should get? There seems to be tonnes of types of 4 core and they all seem WAY more expensive than Cat6 (I only have Cat6, not 5).

Something like this would do.

Hmmmm

AzaK

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#1286046 17-Apr-2015 09:21

NZSpides: The biggest reason NOT to use CAT5 cable is because it's solid core cable.
A PIR generally has a 10 year life span, that means it needs to be replaced at some stage.
When you use CAT 5 cable the wire ends up breaking, meaning you end up with cable that's too short.

As an alarm tech with 10 years experience, I have seen many instances where CAT 5 was used and the fault was DIRECTLY attributable to the cable wire breaking.

Moral of the story, don't use CAT 5 or solid core cable for alarm sensors or keypads - BAD idea.
Sparkies - stop doing this, you're just making life hard for anyone else that follows you to fix up your poor cost saving habits!

Thanks for the input. Do you have an recommended cables for me to get (4 and 6 core) I saw this 4 core but had no idea if it was OK for the job? http://www.computerstore.co.nz/computer-cables-connections-nz/dynamix-100m-roll-4-wire-flat-cable-silver-c-rj11-4-r101

And would you recommend non solid wire to go the other places like siren and smoke sensors?

Thanks heaps

AzaK

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#1286047 17-Apr-2015 09:22

cisconz:
AzaK: Do you have any idea of what cable I should get? There seems to be tonnes of types of 4 core and they all seem WAY more expensive than Cat6 (I only have Cat6, not 5).

Something like this would do.

Excellent. Many thanks.

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#1286049 17-Apr-2015 09:24

NZSpides: The biggest reason NOT to use CAT5 cable is because it's solid core cable.
A PIR generally has a 10 year life span, that means it needs to be replaced at some stage.
When you use CAT 5 cable the wire ends up breaking, meaning you end up with cable that's too short.

As an alarm tech with 10 years experience, I have seen many instances where CAT 5 was used and the fault was DIRECTLY attributable to the cable wire breaking.

Moral of the story, don't use CAT 5 or solid core cable for alarm sensors or keypads - BAD idea.
Sparkies - stop doing this, you're just making life hard for anyone else that follows you to fix up your poor cost saving habits!

I agree for a (slightly) different reason: If you have a reasonable number of devices how are you going to join all the wires back at the panel? Under a screw terminal? good luck doing that without breaking or seriously stressing the solid copper conductor. The only way to do it would either be on a punch down block or possibly using a crimp ferule.

either way alarm systems are supposed to be wired to a high standard so that there is a very small possibility of malfunction... cat 5 is not the way to go.

Oh, you could use stranded cat 5.. but security cable is cheaper

Matthew

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#1286050 17-Apr-2015 09:24

Go to an electrical wholesaler, it will be cheaper.

Fred99

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#1286464 17-Apr-2015 17:26

sbiddle:
Fred99:
cisconz: I would suggest using alarm cable (Not cat 5).

These have slightly thicker conductors, and allow for differentiation later.
If it was me I would run the below

4 Core to PIRs
4 Core to Smoke Sensors
6 Core to Keypads
6 Core to any doors (If swipe card control etc is required)
6 Core to Sirens (Using multiple on each for a higher gauge for louder sirens).
Cat 5 from Panel location to Master Phone socket.

If that's what's needed to "future proof" a NZ family home, I really really desperately want to go back to the past.

This is nothing about "future proofing" - it's simply what is required to install an alarm.

AzaK:

"it might be smart to put in some wiring ready for a future alarm"

I think that's overkill, but YMMV.

DarthKermit

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#1286467 17-Apr-2015 17:36

If I was you (the topic starter), I'd simply drill some appropriate sized holes down the walls while the gib was off, then install some draw strings. Leave the worry of what cables to use to an alarm tech.

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AzaK

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#1286514 17-Apr-2015 19:03

DarthKermit: If I was you (the topic starter), I'd simply drill some appropriate sized holes down the walls while the gib was off, then install some draw strings. Leave the worry of what cables to use to an alarm tech.

That's not a bad idea, or at least something like it. I'm thinking of doing it now to save money later in labour as the reno budget has gone super-novae already, but I guess I could do both; run what I think I'll need and add some draw wires in case they need more.

rphenix

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#1287094 19-Apr-2015 09:28

If you run alarm cable run 6 core everywhere - cores can be broken having a spare pair inside a cable is always good know someone who specialises in ip alarms he only uses 6 core.

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