Alarm Going off When not set

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Kim54a

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#288360 23-Jun-2021 19:33

Hi there
I have an Elite S series alarm through Arrowhead that has gone off twice in the last 20 mins even though it's not set.
The control panel then has a flashing red trouble light and the message reads TAMPA and then flashes to OFS5 (I think)
I can't find any trouble shooting advice on this in the manual.
I'm really hoping someone can help me as it's obviously to late to contact Arrowhead and I don't want a night of continual alarms
Thanks alot

Kim587

128 posts

Master Geek

#2733331 23-Jun-2021 19:39

How's the weather at your place? Is it possible that rain/mist is getting into an outdoor component? That can sometimes cause alarm systems to think they are being tampered with.
I once had roof leak right above the alarm motherboard with predictable consequences.

Kim54a

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2733333 23-Jun-2021 19:46

Thanks for your reply.
No rain here today so I don't know if that's it 🤷‍♀️

Dynamic

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#2733334 23-Jun-2021 19:49

In my very limited experience with wired alarms, it will be a fault like a shorted or broken connection.

If you need to shut it up, you might have to power it off and disconnect the backup battery (easy and non-hazardous if the mains power has already been shut off).

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Kim587

128 posts

Master Geek

#2733335 23-Jun-2021 19:49

Meant to say loose wires or insect/rodents getting into the components can also trip the tamper sensors and cause a false alarm. Are you able to bypass the tamper zone in the meantime until someone can check the system?

Kim54a

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2733338 23-Jun-2021 19:57

I'm not sure how to do that.....can't see that in the book either 🤦‍♀️

Kim587

128 posts

Master Geek

#2733340 23-Jun-2021 20:06

Hmm if it works the same as the old Bosch alarm I needed to shut up, the tamper zone was listed along with the normal zones on the list in the control panel and it was possible to bypass it using the same process as bypassing a physical zone.

If that doesn't work or isn't possible, Dynamic's suggestion of disconnecting it from the power is probably your best bet.
I've had this happn multiple times in the middle of the night before so feel your pain!

Kim54a

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2733343 23-Jun-2021 20:12

Haha annoying right! Unfortunately the sparkie that wired the house installed the alarm and there are NO zones listed on the panel, very annoying! I put a fresh battery in a few months ago and this is the third time this has happened (first time that it's done it twice in quick succession though) and wonder if I damaged something then......seemed super easy though so I thought I'd nailed it.

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hairy1

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#2733356 23-Jun-2021 20:58

Did you replace both batteries? There is one in the main control box and one on the outside siren normally.

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Jase2985

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#2733357 23-Jun-2021 20:58

it could be either the outside siren, or the indoors control box, they sometimes have a reed switchs in them and if the covers are not on correctly the alarm will sound. also sometimes the PIR sensors are wired to the tamper.

Kim54a

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2733362 23-Jun-2021 21:19

I only replaced the one in the main control panel. Haven't had a battery fault message since though so I think this is another fault

Jase2985

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#2733391 24-Jun-2021 06:33

did you put the cover back on the main control panel properly? didnt knock of any reed switch in there?

technician14

122 posts

Master Geek

#2733806 24-Jun-2021 14:12

Tampa will be the panel tamper on the panel prob missing a wire, check to make sure there a wire between tmp and ground

technician14

122 posts

Master Geek

#2733807 24-Jun-2021 14:12

Tampa will be the panel tamper on the panel prob missing a wire, check to make sure there a wire between tmp and ground

rosco62

55 posts

Master Geek

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#2733872 24-Jun-2021 16:07

The tamper for the system is generally wired in series through all of the system devices and uses an a normally closed switch in each device. So you have a countinuos loop (short circuit) when all the covers etc are on and operating normally. When the circuit goes "open" because someone opened a lid on a device (think external siren or main cabinet or pir) it will activate the internal and external sirens. If you are competent with a multi tester meter it is easy enough to meter each device and see which one has gone "open circuit" it will either be a fault in the wiring to the device (unlikely) or the micro switch in the device is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. Most installers nowadays don't connect the tamper in the PIR sensors , only the external siren and main unit (and lately not even those) Hope this is of some help.

You could as a short term measure loop out the tamper with a piece of wire. This will also test the integrity of the tamper circuit on the main board. If you have had a nearby lighting strike the main board could be faulty (happened to us) check both sides of the main board for black / brown scorch marks.

Cheers