| Question |
Why do I need a burglar alarm? |
| Answer |
Home Office statistics show that homes
fitted with an alarm are 70% less likely to be burgled.
But no matter how effective an alarm system is, it
cannot eliminate the risk.
What it can do,
however, is make sure that an burglar is in your
home for the minimum amount of time, probably no
more than a couple of minutes. Of course, no one
wants to be burgled, but it is better for your video or
TV to be stolen (home contents insurance protects you
against this eventuality) than for your home to be
totally ransacked.
It is the mess that burglars
leave behind that causes the most
distress. |
| Question |
Is it a good idea to fit my own burglar
alarm? |
| Answer |
The main benefit to fitting your own alarm is one of
cost. Depending on where you live in the UK, a
typical alarm system for a three bedroom semi-detached
house will cost between £500 and £700. By
comparison, the Visonic Powermax+ system costs much less (see
our kits for details). You will not
have compromised on quality, as the components in the
Visonic Powermax+
system are the same as those found within a
professionally installed alarm. |
| Question |
Do I need a lot of technical 'know-how' to
install the Powermax+ system? |
| Answer |
Anyone of average DIY competence will have no
difficulty in installing the Visonic Powermax+ system.
The instruction manual will give you all the
guidance you need.
The intuitive menu
allows for easy setup and
detector enrolling. The most
important parameters are set
to the most commonly used
values, thereby minimizing
the amount of setup
required.
It is important however to give
careful thought to planning your system in order to make
sure your property has the best possible protection and
that installation can be carried out easily.
PowerMax plus installation Manual
PowerMax plus Users Guide |
| Question |
Will my home contents insurance be reduced
because I have a burglar alarm? |
| Answer |
Insurance companies normally only give discounts for alarms
that have been professionally fitted by security companies
and who
are registered with one of the recognised professional
security bodies.
Although, the most important aspect of any
alarm system is that it works efficiently therefore
providing complete peace of mind and security.
The Powermax+ products have been tried and tested by many
delighted customers around the world. |
| Question |
Where should I site the Powermax control
panel? |
| Answer |
In most homes, the hallway is the best location for
the control panel, as it is in the centre of the home
and will allow you to listen in via the built-in sounder
and microphone. Although by installing an 2 way keypad
in the hallway, the control panel can be situated in an
other position.
How to install your PowerMax
Note:
You also need access to a electrical socket and
telephone socket (if you intend for the panel to dial
out) |
| Question |
How does the PIR work? |
| Answer |
The PIR is a sensor that detects movement in an 90°
arc (from side to side) with a range of approx 12 meter
by 12 meter (40 feet by 40 feet) from the floor to
ceiling. The Pet Immune versions also DO NOT alarm
with animals under 38kg (85lb) at a level of 1 meter (3
feet) or less from the ground. Above that level it
reduces to 19kg (42lb). This SHOULD allow for all pets
to be able to roam free. Although if you have a cat the
taps at the PIR because you have positioned it above a
cabinet then it will set the alarm off for sure.
Visonic have carefully programmed the PIR to the best
possible protection but with the possibility for your
pets to be at home while the alarm is active.
Each PIR has a Lithium battery, which will last
between three and four years. The Visonic Powermax+ control
panel will indicate on the LCD display if a battery is
low. |
| Question |
Where should the PIR be situated? |
| Answer |
The standard ceiling height is 2.4 metres, which is
a suitable height for the sensors to be situated.
They can be mounted on wall, corner or ceiling brackets.
It is best not to install the PIR in the following
locations.
- Above an radiator.
- Close to curtains that can flap from a draught.
- External to your house (they are not
waterproof).
- In direct sunlight through a window.
- On a door or other moving surfaces.
How to install your PowerMax But please read the installation instructions
provided with the sensor. |
| Question |
What is the maximum distance between the
sensors and the control panel? |
| Answer |
The sensors can be sited anywhere within a 50 metre
range of the control panel. Although PIR's have been
known to work up to 75 meters. This
range is measured in ideal conditions.
Any solid object (e.g. walls, ceilings,
reinforced PVC doors etc) placed between
the transmitter and receiver devices
will reduce the transmission range, the
amount of which the range will be
reduced is dependant upon the nature of
the barrier. e.g.
|
Wall Type |
Range Reduction
|
|
Dry-lined partition wall:
|
10-30% |
|
Single layer brick wall:
|
20-40% |
|
Double layer brick wall:
|
30-70% |
|
Metal Panel/Radiator:
|
>
90-100% |
Note: The effect on the range
of multiple walls is cumulative. i.e. if
there are two brick walls in the way,
the range will be reduced by up to 40%
by each wall. |
| Question |
Can I upgrade the system after it is
installed? |
| Answer |
The Visonic Powermax+ system is
modular, enabling absolute
versatility and flexibility.
This means that detectors or
system components (GSM,
Powerlink, etc.) can
be added to the current
system at any time. Visonic
is constantly developing new
products and devices to
function seamlessly with the
Powermax+ system.
|
| Question |
What does Class 5 mean? |
| Answer |
briefly summarised as follows:
Class 1 Generally best
suited for applications where only one transmitter or
detection device is fitted.
Class 2 For very basic alarm
installations. A Class 2 system will identify which
detection device or transmitter the alarm originated
from but this class of alarm is not required to provide
tamper protection.
Class 3 Recognised as the
minimum class of Wirefree alarm system an
inspectorate-recognised installation company should use
for an audible only intruder alarm system. A class 3
system will usually meet the minimum requirements for a
private home, when an audible external sounder alarm
system is required.
Class 4 This classification
is similar to Class 3. Additional features include a
supervisory check on each detection device three times a
day. Suitable for audible external sounder only alarm
systems.
Class 5 More frequent
supervisory signals than Class 4, ensuring greater
system integrity. Generally specified for domestic and
small commercial applications.
Class 6 Similar to Class 5
but with shorter supervisory fail time. It can be used
for installations that require a police response via an
alarm receiving centre. |
| Question |
What happens if there is a power cut? |
| Answer |
In the event of mains electricity failure, the
control panel's battery back-up will provide a minimum
of 8 hours power supply to the Powermax system.
When the mains electricity supply is restored, the
control panel will automatically recharge the system. |
| Question |
If I get into difficulty whilst I am
installing my alarm system, can I get help? |
| Answer |
The installation guide gives clear instructions and
a step-by-step trouble shooting section. But, If you
still need help you can contact us via email on
support@viewcare.co.uk
These matters will be dealt with Monday-Friday 9-5
office working hours |
| Question |
Does the Powermax system come with
guarantees? |
| Answer |
All Powermax products carry a minimum 12 months
guarantee. The only exclusion to this is
consumables, such as batteries. |
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