Frequently Asked Questions
General
FAQ
Fire
Panel FAQ
General FAQ
Q. I haven’t got an account with you, can I still order Goods?
A. You can purchase goods on a credit card for same day dispatch
Q. How can I open account with you?
A. Complete the application form found HERE, and
either post, or fax back to us
Q. Is there a minimum value for orders placed with you?
A. There is no minimum order value
Q. How much is postage and packing?
A. Postage and packing is £9, unless the item is small, then standard postage
charges are used
Q. When can I expect my goods?
A. Orders placed before 4 that are in stock are sent out same day, and will be
delivered on the next working day.
Q. How can I place an order with you
A. Call us on 01732 358209, or send us a fax on 01732 364676.
Q. How can I contact you?
A. Go to the Contact Page
Q. Can I collect goods if I am in the area
A. We welcome collections, anytime within the working day.
Q. I have a problem with a product, what shall I do
A. Try our technical page, if that fails then
Contact us
Q. The panel I am installing does not come with a log book, do I need one, where
can I get one.
A. All fire alarm panels need logbooks when installed, you can download one
HERE
Q. I need to print out information from your website, what is the best way to do
it
A. The best way is to download the appropriate data sheet, and print from there.
We provide data sheets for all products, and technical data for all products.
Visit our Technical page
Fire Panel FAQ
If any of these sections don’t help, and the problem
remains then please phone for technical advice on 01732 358209
Problem: Panel does not power up when connected to mains
Solution:
1. Check that there is a fuse in the mains fuse holder on the transformer
2. Check that the mains fuse has not blown
3. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel
4. Check that all power cables are connected, and not loose
5. Check that the mains is actually being supplied
Problem: Panel does not power up on batteries
Solution:
1. Check that both batteries are connected correctly
2. Check that the polarity of the batteries is correct
3. On larger panels, check the power supply has not cut out by pressing the
button on the power supply board (under main board)
4. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel
Problem: When turned on the panel does nothing, except the buzzer, which
constantly sounds
Solution:
1. Check there is a processor in the main socket on the board (large IC)
2. Check that this chip is correctly inserted into the socket
Problem: The buttons on the panel do not work
Reason: Keypad not enabled
Solution: To enable the keypad you need to use the enable key switch.
Problem: When turned on the Panel comes up with ARW
Solution: Enable the buttons via the key switch, and press reset
Problem: A zone indicator is showing, with no corresponding system fault
Reason: That zone is currently isolated
Solution: Follow isolation instructions to take zone out of isolation
Problem: The 2 wire sounders are not operating
Reason: They have been disabled or the fuse has blown
Solution:
1. Is the fuse indicator on, together with the zone you are working on, if so
then you need to replace the fuse for that zone
2. Make sure the internal sw1, and sw2 are set to off. Sw1 disables the 2wire
sounders, and sw2 puts the panel into ‘short circuit for fire’ mode, disabling
the 2wire sounders.
Problem: A Zone fault indicator is pulsing, together with the ‘Zone’ Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with the zone (open circuit)
Solution:
1. Check that there is an end of line resistor installed on the zone
2. Check that the end of line resistor is a 4k3 Resistor
3. Measure the zone voltage (a 23V zone indicates open circuit, 20V is normal,
12V in fire)
Problem: A Zone indicator is showing (constant), together with the ‘Zone’
Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with the zone (short circuit)
Solution:
1. Check to see if there is a short on the zone
2. Measure the zone voltage (a 0V zone indicates a short, 20V is normal, 12V in
fire)
Problem: Everything is fine until a call point is operated, then the panel shows
a short circuit on that zone
Reason: There is no inline resistor with the call point
Solution: Connect a 470 in series with all call points.
Problem: A Zone indicator is showing, together with the ‘Detector’ Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with one of the detectors on the zone
Solution:
1. Check to see if all detectors on that zone are correctly installed
2. If the problem continues take the following steps
• Bring the end of line resistor back to the panel, if there is a problem here
then you have a faulty panel, if there is no problem then continue
• Move the eol resistor along the zone, to each detector on that zone, one at a
time. As soon as the panel starts to indicate a fault you know the detector you
have connected the eol to has a fault.
• Alternatively you can measure zone voltages. There will be a 0.2V drop in
voltage (from the zone voltage at the panel) on the line before the faulty
detector.
Problem: A Zone fault indicator is pulsing, together with the ‘Sounder’
Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with the sounder circuit (open circuit)
Solution:
1. Check to see if all sounders on that circuit are correctly installed
2. Check that there is an end of line resistor installed on the circuit
3. Check that the end of line resistor is a 4k3 Resistor
4. Measure the line voltage (normally 15V, 20V when open circuit)
Problem: A Zone indicator is showing (constant), together with the ‘Sounder’
Indicator
Reason: There is a short on the sounder line
Solution:
1. Check to see if all sounders on that circuit are correctly installed, a
sounder connected in reverse will give a short circuit fault
2. Check to see if there is a short on the zone
3. Measure the line voltage (0V indicated a short)
Problem: The power indicator is flashing
Reason: There might be a problem with the mains supply
Solution:
1. Check that the mains fuse has not blown
2. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel
3. Check that all power cables are connected, and not loose
4. Check that the mains is actually being supplied
5. Disconnect the batteries, is the panel still working? If it is, then the
psu-main board wiring may be incorrect, this can happen when the main board is
disconnected. Check that the sequence of cables coming from the psu is the same
sequence as goes into the bottom of the main board.
Problem: The power indicator is on constantly
Reason: There is a problem with the batteries
Solution:
1. Check that both batteries are connected correctly
2. Check that the polarity of the batteries is correct
3. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel
On Large panels
Problem: A Zone indicator is showing, together with the
‘Fuse’ Indicator
Reason: The fuse for that zone has blown
Solution: Check the fuse on that zone, if you are not using the 2wire sounders
then set sw1 to the off position (disabling 2wire sounders), the fuse is only
used for the 2wire sounders, and so does not affect normal operation of the
panel in 4wire mode
On Small panels
Problem: A Zone fault indicator is pulsing
Reason: The fuse for that zone has blown
Solution: Check the fuse on that zone, if you are not using the 2wire sounders
then set sw1 to the off position (disabling 2wire sounders), the fuse is only
used for the 2wire sounders, and so does not affect normal operation of the
panel in 4wire mode
On SaveWire Panel
Panel is the same, except for the zones.
Problem: When the panel is turned on it goes into fire
Reason: The sounders could be incorrectly wired
Solution:
• Start by isolating the sounders, on the front of the panel
• An incorrectly (reversed) connected sounder will then sound, or indicate a
short on the line.
• If it sounds you can locate it by following the sound. The reverse the
polarity. If a short is indicated then you need to check all the sounders.
Standard Voltages on a SaveWire panel
• Normal operation 20V
• Head Removed 15V
• In Fire -26V
