Aritech alarms

I recently moved into an apartment which has an Aritech alarm there from the previous owner. I think it was probably installed when the apartment block was built 10 years ago. I managed to get the original engineer to do a bit of work on it as it was not working. However, it keeps going off while I am at work. The last time the engineer came out he disengaged one zone that he thought was causing the problem and promised to sort it out the next time he called out, but unfortunately he is very unreliable and constantly lets me down. I need to find a new engineer. Can any electrician do this for me or do the company (Aritech ?) have enginners who can call out, like when your washing machine breaks down ?

Thanks for your help !

It is illegal to hire anyone other than a [broken link removed] registered contractor to carry out any work or maintenance on an alarm system.

Illegal in what sense? Can you be prosecuted?

I didn't know this. However I contacted an electrician who put me in touch with an alarm company and they are registered. They are going to come out and look at the alarm but they will have to contact the company the original engineer works for, to get the code. It will be € 90 for a call-out but at least they have assured me they will be reliable. It worked out well because I now have an electrician to do a few jobs for me too! Interestingly, the original engineer was also an electrician and had agreed to do general electrical work for me in the future (which of course I wont be taking him up on now) ... are most alarm engineers also electricians ?

Also, I doubt you can be prosecuted - the original engineer once got me to input codes and numbers into my own alarm system over the phone and I'm not even an electrician, never mind an alarm engineer !!

How many years do you think it takes to become an alarm 'engineer'

Marcia said:

Also, I doubt you can be prosecuted - the original engineer once got me to input codes and numbers into my own alarm system over the phone and I'm not even an electrician, never mind an alarm engineer !!

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Entering codes via the panel is not classified as maintenance work. Also, the legislation only comes into play where you are paying someone to carry out work. You can install and maintain an alarm yourself.

There have been a number of recent prosecutions for unlicensed contractors carrying out work, with fines in the region of €5.5k.

Leo said:

It is illegal to hire anyone other than a [broken link removed] registered contractor to carry out any work or maintenance on an alarm system.

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You are only breaking the law if you pay someone to install the alarm for you. There is a loop hole that if you maintain an alarm you cant be done as your not installing the alarm, just maintaining it. There have being a few convictions over turned on this ruling. They are bringing in new legislation which will end the loop hole soon.

Marcia said:

they will have to contact the company the original engineer works for, to get the code.

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Did they tell you that Marcia ?
If they cant default an Aritech alarm i would not be letting them anywhere near the alarm at all. It is more than likely a faulty sensor on the system.

Let us know how they get on finding the faulty sensor or sensors.

I have exactly the same problem as the original poster. Alarm going off for no reason detailing an "open zone". All the sensors were changed but the problem remains. My advice is to avoid aritech alarms at all costs.

poundhound said:

I have exactly the same problem as the original poster. Alarm going off for no reason detailing an "open zone". All the sensors were changed but the problem remains. My advice is to avoid aritech alarms at all costs.

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I've an Aritech and have had absolutely no problems with it what-so-ever. Perhaps it's with your installer where the issue lies.

Replacing all the sensors is the lazy (but money making) approach to solving such a problem. Sounds like you were had.

Leo said:

I've an Aritech and have had absolutely no problems with it what-so-ever. Perhaps it's with your installer where the issue lies.

Replacing all the sensors is the lazy (but money making) approach to solving such a problem. Sounds like you were had.

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I think he was too

poundhound said:

I have exactly the same problem as the original poster. Alarm going off for no reason detailing an "open zone". All the sensors were changed but the problem remains. My advice is to avoid aritech alarms at all costs.

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If your zone is showing open it could be a number of things. If you know what is on the zone then it will make problem solving handier. First off check for loose the cables in the sensors. Arrows on the heads must point up. Another thing is if you have magnets on the sensors to show the openings, you should try getting a magnet and putting it beside each one then try set the alarm. Sometimes the magnet can loose it strength causing the reed on the sensor to remain open. If none of the above work you will need a multimeter to do more tests.

I would agree with Leo, whoever changed your sensors was just being lazy. A proper test on the loop causing the problems would of saved you having to replace them all plus save you the expense of having to buy new ones.

Why do you all think I paid for the sensors to be replaced? I didn't pay a cent.
The "engineer" couldn't pin point the problem and replaced every sensor in the house but to no avail.

Alt1, your suggestion may very well work but I'm not an engineer and therefore won't attempt to open the sensors.
What is a multimeter anyway?

A [broken link removed] is a device used to measure multiple electrical properties such as voltage, current, resistance, etc..

Unfortunately it sounds like your 'engineer' didn't understand what they were doing or how to go about fault diagnosis or isolation. This requires a methodical approach. The panel will generally tell you whether the fault is with the panel itself, the internal or external bells or one or more zones.

When you know it's a single zone, test each sensor. This is easy enough to do with a multimeter, should only take a matter of minutes per sensor. If the sensors all check out, then the cabling should be tested. Should all be a matter of course for someone who knows what they're doing.
Leo

poundhound said:

Why do you all think I paid for the sensors to be replaced? I didn't pay a cent.
The "engineer" couldn't pin point the problem and replaced every sensor in the house but to no avail.

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If this is the case i would not be letting him anywhere near the alarm. He does not know what he is doing.

poundhound said:

Alt1, your suggestion may very well work but I'm not an engineer and therefore won't attempt to open the sensors.
What is a multimeter anyway?

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Using a multimeter which you will set on continuity. Put the meter across the terminals of the alarm on the sensor to see if that is what is open. If you find one not ringing with the multimeter that is your sensor thats causing the problem. Another way to test the sensors is on a length of cable connected to the sensor and the other end to the multimeter. Set the multimeter to continuity, make a note of the reading before you tap or open the sensor, with the meter in your hand open and close each contact plus tap each sensor a few times one by one. After each tap or open close the reading should return to the same reading. If the level stays higher than the original reading this is your faulty sensor. Do this on all the sensors on the zone that has the problem as there may be more that one faulty sensor.

Sometimes you can get a reed on a contact that works today and not tomorrow, its called a sticky reed and need to be replaced. A simple test on each device on the loop would of sorted out your problem out.