Although the rest of the system is fully operational (works on all tests in the manual other than siren/strobe) neither the siren or the strobe will activate. Do they need a battery to operate - if so would a new battery resolve the fault

Peter B, November 2011

Peter, I take it you didn't get an indication of where the fault lay when the panel went off. Assuming you've checked the strobe/bell fuse in the panel, then you'll need to get your ladder out (if you haven't already - an update of how you fixed it would be good). I've seen duff PIRs set an alarm, but only when the system had been set. If the strobe/bell fuse is okay, then it could be the bell that set the alarm off. There's normally a battery in the bell that powers it in the event of a power failure, or in case someones tried to damage the panel. The battery in the panel just acts as a backup in the event of a power failure, whether managed (electrician working on the house) or accidental.

Mike T, December 2011

How does the fuse check ? You looked at it?
Why was there a total power shut down?

Why did it false alarm? Thought about that?

Get a new battery.

The strobe will not activate in a total power off, the external bell/sounder should.
So you have two issues, a duff panel battery and a duff sounder SAB.

A quick search here would have found this information.

Alarm, November 2011

We were in when the false alarm happened and the alarm could not be silenced by inputting the code. After a power off reset (including battery disconnect) all appeared to be normal as far as the control panel was concerned (lights and sounds etc) and the alarm shut off. However the strobe was not triggered by the fault. Since then I have tried the engineer code based alarm and walk tests iaw page 16 of the manual with no alarm or strobe. The fuse F5 checks Ok and the 12 volt supply is present. I have yet to open the siren/strobe box as it is at the highest point of the house and would like to see if any tests can isolate the fault before climbing.

Peter B, November 2011

We were in when the false alarm happened and the alarm could not be silenced by inputting the code. After a power off reset (including battery disconnect) all appeared to be normal as far as the control panel was concerned (lights and sounds etc) and the alarm shut off. However the strobe was not triggered by the fault. Since then I have tried the engineer code based alarm and walk tests iaw page 16 of the manual with no alarm or strobe. The fuse F5 checks Ok and the 12 volt supply is present. I have yet to open the siren/strobe box as it is at the highest point of the house and would like to see if any tests can isolate the fault before climbing.

Peter B, November 2011

I know how to test but you would be surprised how many DiYers get it wrong.

Again, how do you know they did not work? Were you there when the activation happened or did you come back later in the day to find it had activated?

Have they ever worked?

acorn, November 2011

They are tested in accordance with the installation/test manual. The alarm and strobe box is visible from the control panel. All other inside tones present. The failure followed a false alarm. No one has been "playing".

Peter B, November 2011

What makes you think they don't work?

How are you testing them?

Does any inside noise work?

Have they ever worked?
If they have worked, have you or anyone else been 'playing' with the control panel?

Not enough information I'm afraid. Please reply HERE, makes life a lot easier.

acorn, November 2011