Fitting The Control Panel

The last part of any installation is to fit the control panel and test the system. The following will give you a step by step guide on the various procedures involved.

- Fix the panel in the desired location, which should be in a position convenient for the operator to use and for ease of wiring

- All the cables can then be run into the panel bb means of the holes provided in the box. As it is generally not possible to conceal all the cables entering the panel it is advisable to run them in PVC trunking for neatness, (see “hardware and wiring”).

fitting comtrol panel

Once all the cables are through they should be labeled in accordance with the cable description mentioned earlier, that is: 1, 2, 3, etc. They should then be cut to the correct length, and the outer cover stripped off to reveal the inner cores. These cores should then be twisted together in their respective pairs. For this example this would be red/black, blue/yellow and green/ white.

The cables should be cut approximately 50cm from the back of the panel, this will ensure that they will reach anywhere in the control box.

Another point is that the outer cover should be stripped back to about 10cm from the back of the panel.

Before connecting to the panel it is advisable to test all circuits for “continuity”. This means checking the circuit to make sure it is a continuous loop with no breaks. This is done with all the detectors in the closed position. Circuits to be tested are the detection loops, tamper loops and p.a. Loops.

There are a number of methods that this is done the most common is by using a “multimeter” set on the resistance (ohms) range. If the circuit is incomplete (an open loop) the needle will not move indicating infinite resistance. If, however, the circuit is complete (a closed loop) then the needle will be fully deflected indicating no resistance.

Another method of testing for continuity is by using a bulb and battery, when the bulb is illuminated this indicates a closed loop.

fitting comtrol panel 1

Once all loops have been tested fop. Continuity and also for shorts between loops, (remember a short between the alarm and tamper loops will also show a fault), then you can begin to connect the cables to the panel. On page 85/86, is a diagram of the terminal strip on a two zone panel, use each of the overlays to show you how each cable is connected.

TERMINAL STRIP FOR TWO ZONE PANEL

TWO ZONE PANEL

fitting comtrol panel 2

fitting comtrol panel 3

Fig A.7.1 Shop Plan

7.1a

OVERLAY A : LAYOUT OF ALARM SYSTEM

layout a

OVERLAY B: CABLE RUNS

layout B