Home Security Q and A

Computers - Electrical Wiring - Home Security

Q. I just installed a DSC Power432 system with the LCD5501Z-433 keypad. Upon power up, the trouble light came on the keypad. I'm not sure if that is supposed to happen or not. The keypad allowed me to enroll it on slot 1. I walked away from the system for about 10 minutes because I didn't see the wireless receiver enroll and now no programming works on the keypad, *8 (installer code) does nothing, so I am unable to do any further programming.

A. It sounds like you accidentally assigned the keypad to a different partition. It's easy to do, DSC manuals tend to be a little confusing. You either set it as a "global" keypad, or as a partition 2 keypad. See section 3.6 of the installer manual.

What you need to do is shift it back to partition 1 then you should be able to go back into program section 000 and make sure to enter:
Step 1 - Enter Installer Programming
Step 2 - Press [000] for Keypad Programming
Step 3 - Press [0] for Partition and Slot Assignment
Enter a two digit number to specify the partition and slot assignment.
1st digit Enter 0 for Global Keypad;
Enter 1 for Partition 1 Keypad
Enter 2 for Partition 2 Keypad
2nd digit Enter 1 to 8 for Slot Assignment
Press the [#] key twice to exit programming.

Q. I installed my own home alarm about 15 years ago. I'm upgrading to a Vista 20P next week and would like to initiate monitoring. Is there a comprehensive list of providers, and a comparison of their services available anywhere? Is there any advantage to a local provider? Locally is $16 to $25 per month. What would make a local provider worth the extra over the $9 I've seen listed online? Is any UL provider the same as any other UL provider?

A. There's not really a list of providers. A central station dealing directly with subscribers is a new service model. Some of the people on this forum have had experiences with such CS providers (you can browse the archives). The biggest advantage of a local provider is that if you have an issue, you can go sit in their office where you cannot be easily shuffled off into hold button purgatory. If a provider has UL listing (and the documentss to back it up), it means that they have met a minimum standard that the insurance companies have to accept (many home policies will give discounts for monitored alarm systems, especially if smoke detectors are included).

Q. I have BRINKS security system installed in my home, but right now, I am not enrolled in the program. I still can use all features except in case of emergency the Brinks will be not notified. Recently a CP code showed on my panel. Kind of strange since there was no "communication" in two years. I checked the wiring panel and discovered that one of the wires got disconnected. This wire is orange color coded, and the only one in that color. I tried to find out where the connection is missing, but without luck. I cannot call the BRINKS guys since I am not a customer now. I will connect the wire myself, but don't know where. If someone who has the same system would kindly check the panel and see where the orange wire goes, I would appreciate it.

A. I guess that it's the tamper for the RJ-31x jack and cord. Typically, these are connected to the last hardwire zone connection. Its mate is normally the blue wire coming out of the RJ-31x cable. Therefore, it should go next to the (likely) only blue wire on the zone terminals.

Q. Any advice on how to hook up Vonage to an ADT system?

A. The Vonage adapter takes the place of your NID in term of how you connect it. You should seriously consider putting the adapter on a UPS if you are going to rely on that connection for your security system. For this to work right, the dial tone needs to come out of your adaptor, go into the alarm panel, and then return on a second pair of wires to feed the rest of the house telephones. Otherwise, taking a phone off of the hook can prevent the panel from calling out.

Q. I have unplugged the phone line to my system and stopped the monitoring, but the system keeps giving a trouble every month and I finally unplugged the unit and unplugged the battery. I found the programming paper with all the codes on it. Would someone please tell me how to program the system to turn the dialer off and stop the self-tests?

A. This system is actually a Moose Z-900 (which is the installer manual you want if you plan to do more than disable the dialer). Either way, to turn off the dialer function, do the following:
Press and hold 9 until you hear 3 beeps.
Enter 96321 - all LEDS should flash (if they don't we have to enter program mode a different way)
Enter 47# (two beeps)
Enter 0* (2 beeps)
Enter * * to return to run mode.
This should turn off the dialer.

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