Help with alarm cable

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01EG

605 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248151 12-Mar-2019 15:22

I bought the DSC LC-100 motion detectors and now time to buy an alarm cable but I'm stuck which one I need 4 core or 6 core alarm cable and the reason is a “Tamper” (see attached image). My understanding is this is an optional functionality and not “must have”. It says “ … if the front cover of the detector is opened, an immediate alarm signal will be sent to the control unit ...” so I guess as these are the internal home detectors, there are no reasons to have it, unless you are not paranoiac

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280 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2196585 12-Mar-2019 15:28

You need 4-core for basic functionality. You need 6-core if you wish to take advantage of the tamper function. It is not necessary to include the tamper function, so it's up to you.

01EG

605 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2196591 12-Mar-2019 15:40

irongarment: You need 4-core for basic functionality. You need 6-core if you wish to take advantage of the tamper function. It is not necessary to include the tamper function, so it's up to you.

Ok, thanks a lot.

TechSol

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

Technical Solutions Aust

#2196613 12-Mar-2019 16:24

irongarment: You need 4-core for basic functionality. You need 6-core if you wish to take advantage of the tamper function. It is not necessary to include the tamper function, so it's up to you.

Tamper functionality can be implemented (panel dependent) on a four core cable, with the use of tamper resistors.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2196615 12-Mar-2019 16:32

If your alarm panel uses EOL resistors / zone control. Then as above, 4 core cable is all that is needed.

And a properly implemented EOL setup, means that the alarm will activate if a cable is cut. Therefore better security.

01EG

605 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2196623 12-Mar-2019 16:42

Aredwood: If your alarm panel uses EOL resistors / zone control. Then as above, 4 core cable is all that is needed.

And a properly implemented EOL setup, means that the alarm will activate if a cable is cut. Therefore better security.

Yes, it does, single EOL resistors, double EOL resistors and etc. Then how do I wire a detector with 4 core cable?

Nzengsaif

34 posts

Geek

Fusion Automation

#2196837 12-Mar-2019 22:42

Typically its 4 core and its wired like this:

Zeon

3918 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2196842 12-Mar-2019 22:57

Is there any reason why standard twisted pair like cat6 can't be used for alarm cable? That provides 8 cores?

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lxsw20

3558 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2196858 13-Mar-2019 03:23

cat6 is usually solid core and IIRC isn't the right gauge of cable.

RmACK

196 posts

Master Geek

#2196930 13-Mar-2019 08:01

Zeon:

Is there any reason why standard twisted pair like cat6 can't be used for alarm cable? That provides 8 cores?

Cost. Cat6 (or even cat5e) is designed for high speed digital comms and tends to be a lot more expensive than alarm cable.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2196934 13-Mar-2019 08:14

Zeon:

Is there any reason why standard twisted pair like cat6 can't be used for alarm cable? That provides 8 cores?

It's not uncommon to see some people use it for alarms - but if so it's important that stranded cable is used rather than solid. It makes no sense to use it as it's more expensive than alarm cable.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2196937 13-Mar-2019 08:24

I just wired my alarm sensor with Cat 6 because it's what I had. But yes, alarm cable is waaaaay cheaper!

I can't see the issue using solid wire rather than stranded though? It's not like the sensors are moving around all the time. Admittedly, the only issue was not having much room to bend the Cat6 cable in the PIR.

01EG

605 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2196947 13-Mar-2019 08:54

Nzengsaif: Typically its 4 core and its wired like this:

Thanks a lot @Nzengsaif, is the red core used at all? and the black one is not going to control panel? what I mean that in your image there is no power for detector through terminal 6 and 7? cheers

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2196955 13-Mar-2019 09:04

chevrolux:

I just wired my alarm sensor with Cat 6 because it's what I had. But yes, alarm cable is waaaaay cheaper!

I can't see the issue using solid wire rather than stranded though? It's not like the sensors are moving around all the time. Admittedly, the only issue was not having much room to bend the Cat6 cable in the PIR.

Cat 5e / Cat6 solid cable is very brittle once the sheath is stripped back and isn't designed for screw terminals.

irongarment

280 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2196958 13-Mar-2019 09:07

01EG:
Nzengsaif: Typically its 4 core and its wired like this:

Thanks a lot @Nzengsaif, is the red core used at all? and the black one is not going to control panel? what I mean that in your image there is no power for detector through terminal 6 and 7? cheers

I expect red and black are assumed to be present as they are necessary to power the sensor.

01EG

605 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2196967 13-Mar-2019 09:16

irongarment: I expect red and black are assumed to be present as they are necessary to power the sensor.

Yeh expected too but asked for just in case, but still I'm a new one to this, hoping to save some money by pre-wiring the detectors and lying cables to the control panel and leave the rest for installer. I have 4 new detectors. :) Is my understanding right that the red goes to terminal 7 and the black one to terminal 6 + @Nzengsaif diagram? cheers

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