Household Alarm Question

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jronald · #1 Post by **jronald** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:55 am

I was given an hardwired alarm system complete, except the sensors. Sensors are not that expensive, and in a past life (25 years ago) I installed low voltage systems in new construction. That said, I have 1000's of feet of Cat 5 cable, anyone see any issues in using it for the sensor runs?

Ron

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:35 am

Perhaps 10 wires in the Cat5 cable is overkill, but I see no problems.
The cable would be a lot 'fatter' than the regular 2-wire cable, but since you have it already...

killer · #3 Post by **killer** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:47 pm

Blimey, RBS, 10000 posts and still going strongly. That's quite an achievement. Well done!

Back on topic, what do you need an alarm for jronald?

People have them here. Spiders lay their eggs inside alarm casings. When the spiders hatch they cause the alarm to go off.
Our police don't respond to domestic alarm calls. Very often the owners are away. So the alarm goes on blaring away.

Grrr!

jronald · #4 Post by **jronald** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:25 pm

I live in the woods, and while I understand NOTHING will stop a break in, Im darn sure trying to slow them down. I do have some neighbors, that I plan on hearing the alarm, and Im pretty sure it will wake the dog up, which is my true ace in the hole anyway.

Ron

dsvochak · #5 Post by **dsvochak** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:51 pm

If you need the alarm to wake the dog, you may want to consider getting a 2nd dog.

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killer · #6 Post by **killer** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:07 pm

Geese are the best answer. They cause a right kerfuffle if anyone or anything is around. They cost naff all to keep, live on grass, moss, a few slugs, as well as a bit of corn and grit for their eggs. You can eat their eggs ... one egg makes an omelette for two people (well, European people anyhow!) ... and they are good food themselves. Who needs alarms, dogs, or machine guns?

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:24 pm

An alarm without central monitoring station is next to worthless in real life. I most definitely wouldn't be using CAT 5 wire...which is something I go through reels of on a weekly basis...

Depending on what you want to achieve there are many answers on how to secure your home....some of them are less costly than others, and some require friends in higher places...

jronald · #8 Post by **jronald** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:22 pm

George, whats up with using the Cat 5?
Gut instinct or otherwise?
The "official" wire calls for 22 or 24 guage "twin lead". Im pretty sure the Cat 5 I have is 26, so I had alreay planned on using "4" singles, or 2 twisted pairs (of the 4 in the cable) Longest possible run would not exceed 75 feet as the overall length of the house is 40 feet. Panel is going in the Laundry room, located dead center of the house.

All of my telephones are on it, of course the Hardwired computers are also on it, and I think for several years prior to DirectTV the antenna rotator was on it.

Whats your thoughts?
Ron

ajkula66 · #9 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:22 pm

jronald wrote:
Whats your thoughts?
Ron

Ron,

The way I was taught - and the way I teach my students - is that one only uses CAT5 for data...

Could you get away with it? Most likely.

jronald · #10 Post by **jronald** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:45 pm

Gotcha!
I guess you dont want to know about my under gravel aquarium heater running off of a 18 volt "bell" transformer and zip cord. Yes it is fused on both sides, and plugged into a GFI outlet.

Thanks
Ron