Q: Many times my customers have trouble with panel power but they swear it is the alarm system. When I go to the house and indicate that the customer was proven wrong I often have the dilemma to either charge them for the service call or eat the service charge. Any suggestions to help minimize these awkward situations?
A: If you can give the customer an AC power indicator this would help minimize these awkward situations. You might want to look at a slight upgrade in your existing and new installations with a plug-in transformer with a built-in LED such as the ELK “TRG(xxxx)” series. (www.elkproducts.com). These type of transformers also have resettable fuses that can save the customer time and money.
Q: Sometimes when I install a power line carrier (PLC) automation system I need to couple the two phases together for the signal to be transferred to two areas of the building. Since I have a low voltage license I often have to call in an electrician for the connection internal AC wiring. Any suggestions on how I can do this myself?
A: Yes. There is now a plug-in coupler that you can install. It plugs into any 220 VAC devices like a dryer. It is low profile and allows room to then plug in the 220 VAC device over it. It’s called the Signalinc™ Model # 4816(x) from Smarthome.
