Capacitor comeback
(After an absence of several years, capacitance detectors make a return with vastly improved technology…)
“Some years ago there were a few ‘capacitance’ detectors on the market which caused many operational difficulties and, if not correctly set up, would cause false alarms, which gave capacitance a bad name.
There is nothing wrong with the technique of capacitance sensing. What was wrong with early sensors was that they lacked modern technology.
Almost all capacitance detectors work on the principle of causing the stray capacitance between the detector plate and the ground to resonate with an inductor and then monitor the frequency. Any change in capacitance will cause a change in frequency; the frequency is continuously monitored and hence a shift by a predetermined percentage will trigger an alarm.”
Researching false alarms
(We reported that the BSIA manufacturer’s Section began an extensive programme of research into the thorny problem of false alarms…)
“Companies are being asked to provide, on a regular basis, detailed information relating to the age and class of installations together with detailed analyses of false alarms on remote signalling installations, subscriber related alarms and company related false alarms. The latter category includes both the design and installation of systems as well as the specific component failures within the systems.
Graham Harper, chairman of the Manufacturer’s Section, hopes that this constructive overview of false alarms will lead not only to better product design but also to suggest other means by which the false alarm problem can be tackled.”
For whose benefit?
(An installer questions the need to join the IAAI as a means of growing his business…)
“It is my view that the stated aims of the IAAI, i.e. to give status and authenticity to those entrusted with providing security in the field of crime prevention is a patronising attempt to lure the small installer who is trying to expand his operations.
The main thing that I am entrusted with is providing security for my family and myself. In other words, I install alarm systems in order to earn a living, not as part of a crime prevention crusade. After seven years in the business I seriously question the desirability of membership of, or even the need for, such an association.
My experience is that a few months after start-up, a business may reach a plateau, and the installer who wishes to fit more systems will look, often in desperation, at any means to achieve this end. However, the IAAI will not guarantee that its members will secure more work, and surely that is the only good reason for joining any organisation, especially if you have to pay for the privilege.”
In the days of slow scan…
(An independent monitoring station equipped with slow scan television monitoring, offered installers unbranded premises for installers to show off to clients…)
“Newly opened for business in Nottingham is the East Midland’s Central Station, a completely independent operation offering attractive monitoring rates of just GB pound 33 p.a. for two channels. The station also operates a slow scan television service as well as telephone answering, emergency engineer services and a chip programming service.
The station has no markings so that installers can use it as their own, describe it in their quotes and bring their clients along to view it in operation, with a lounge area set aside to discuss business.”
