switch fuse for alarm

[steve6]

I'm thinking of installing a burglar alarm & wondering about the power supply.

I have an external electric meter box with a switch fuse inside (due to the tails for the cu being very long) this switch fuse has a plastic flap that you need to open before you can switch it on or off.

Should I put a sensor on this flap? Are you allowed to do this? Are there any enclosures I can buy for this?

thanks

 

[Spark123]

Modern alarms are battery backed, if the mains supply fails the panel will run on its internal battery. When this dies the outside bell box will go into alarm on its own battery.
I'm not 100% sure - think it is one of the Texecom alarm panels which can send you text messages too notifying of things like power fail.

 

[breezer]

steve6, to be honest you are wasting your time and will ony cause more grief.

There is no point in trying to fit a swutch since what will it do?
set the alarm off it switched in error
give you problems trying to scource such a switch
give you grief trying to fit such a switch

sending txts is a gimmick

think about it

you get a txt you have a powercut, you are out with mrs steve6 and she has not finished shopping, what are you going to do about it?

You are on holiday and you get a txt what are you going to do about it

similar if your alarm goes off, what are you really going to do about it?

if you are on holiday, you could prog in a keyholders mobile number, but thats about it.

 

[steve6]

At the moment anyone with a pair of pliers can open my meter cupboard & turn off my electricity supply using this existing 100 amp switch.

There must be something to avoid/safeguard this from happening?

 

[breezer]

you did not ask yourself why would they bother?

no offence but really why would they bother?

and suppose you contacted the cabinet door, meter reader comes round, opens door, off goes your alarm.

 

[Spark123]

I think they can kill the electric in almost every house which has an external meter so you're not alone. Like I said above, alarms have battery backups so if they do get in and switch it off your alarm will remain armed.

 

[alphaalarms]

hi
i have a contract to service a few houses on an estate which has been hit by the 100 amp fuse boys! i fitted a contact like breezer suggested! and they open the meter cupboard and they legged it!
i also told my customers to padlock the meter to stop the reader reading it when alarm is set, knock on the front door and ask!

 

[steve6]

ok, I think the best solution is a lock & alarm.

thanks

 

[alphaalarms]

ok, I think the best solution is a lock & alarm.

thanks

it was a pleasure that alpha alarms could help!

 

[JohnD]

and maybe you could put a polycarbonate window in front of the meter display so the reader can see it?

BTW I have "chimes" set on my alarm so I hear if the garage door is opened, even when the alarm is off because I am at home, might be an idea for your meter box contact.