atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring a rant

I was at a customer's office today putting in a server and noticed they recently got an alarm system. Of course I just had to see how they wired the RJ31X. In typical alarm guy fashion, they used the orange pair as the feed from the RJ21X, (which was really just a block with a 25 pair feeding it from the building's phone room, and cables punched down going to the phone system) and the brown pair as the return. They punched it down right on top of the pair of wire coming from the phone system. Gotta love it! I guess it all works but the little things just get me...

Do what I do. On my invoice, I write the following:

"My license, insurance and reputation depend upon my doing a professional job.

"Please be advised that as of this date, I have inspected the telephone wiring in your (home) (business) and I have found the following violations:

"Alarm wires were installed in a non-standard/illegal/dangerous way. In the event of an alarm, there was the possibility that the alarm message would not have been transmitted correctly, if at all. I have corrected the violation, to protect your property.

"If you have any questions about the wiring I corrected, please have your alarm company representative contact me."

Good idea, Arthur, as long as your insurance has completed operation. You have just announced you are now responsible for all the wiring, to include the function of the alarm system.

Jeff, at least you didn't have a "beanie boy" splice screwing up the SNI.

When Suffolk County (NY) decided to license low-voltage electricians, I was forced to get liability insurance (called "artisan's insurance) in order to maintain my license.

One of the questions on the application asked whether I perform alarm work. When I explained to the insurance broker what I do and don't do, she said my insurance definitely did not cover alarm work, in the sense that I would be providing the reception of messages, and dispatching of emergency responders. The installation and maintenance of wiring, however, is allowed by my policy.

I do not hesitate to point out the shortcomings of other "experts" when I work on a customer's premises. I don't care if they think I'm being picky, a pain in the ass, or nasty. I have a personal moral code and that is what drives me to ensure that my customers will be safe and happy. If they die in a fire, and I didn't take every step, legal or otherwise, to prevent it, then shame on me.

I am definitely going to mention it to them. I also don't really like how their phone system guy did the install. Instead of terminating the station cables to a 66 block, he just put plugs on the end and plugged them right into the KSU. It looks neat and clean but I don't think I would have done it that way...

If I were you, Jeff I wouldn't touch the system. If it's neat & working, don't mess with it.

No..I'm not going to touch anything, I just was commenting on the install...it's an old Panasonic, when their phones ring and I sit in the room, I hear the system clicking

Artur I could'nt agree more. I regularly advise customers on things I notice. Air conditioning duct work disconected, heat ducts loose, plumbing or roof leaks. Once I noticed the exaust on an overhead gas heater was completely rusted through. It was this summer so I shut off the gas, He did'nt like the news but the three people working there were releived to know that the headaches they were having last heating season was not all in there heads.( Yes Jeff pun intended)