Q: Now that I am having to connect more and more residential alarm panels to an Internet connection I am looking for suggestions to make sure I have a reliable connection to the central station. Any suggestions?
A: One thing comes to mind on the subject of backup power. Remember that the Internet service router does not have backup power. Many routers are 12 VDC so you may want to use the spare pairs 4.5 and 7.8 on the CAT cable to bring panel backup power out to the router. To play it safe you may want to twist 4.7 for DC+ and 5,* for DC-. Just provide a plug on the router side that will allow you to plug the backup 12VDC into the router. Now the router will have some backup power time if the power fails.
Q: I often have to pick EOL resistors out of my parts box for different panels. Every time the manufacturer asks for a specific panel, I then have to dig up my resistor color code chart. Is there any easy way to remember what color is used for each resistor value?
A: There is a saying that will help you remember the color codes. It is “Big Boys Race Our Young Girls But Violet Generally Wins” – B(lack)ig B(rown)oys R(ed)ace O(range)ur Y(ellow)oung G(reen)irls B(lue)ut V(iolet)iolet G(ray)enerally W(hite)ins.
