Distance between alarm panel and keypad question

[Roveer]

Using a Honeywell Vista alarm panel with the standard keypads (sorry
for not having all the model numbers, but I don't have them handy).

Question: How far from the alarm panel can I put a keypad? I have a
large jobsite 23K sq ft which has a jobsite trailer that is almost 700
feet from the alarm panel. We want to put a keypad in the trailer, but
don't know what the max distance is between keypad and panel. Our
alarm installer is unsure as well, so I'm doing my own research. Any
help is appreciated.

Regards,

Roveer

 

[Frank Olson]

Using a Honeywell Vista alarm panel with the standard keypads (sorry
for not having all the model numbers, but I don't have them handy).

Question: How far from the alarm panel can I put a keypad? I have a
large jobsite 23K sq ft which has a jobsite trailer that is almost 700
feet from the alarm panel. We want to put a keypad in the trailer, but
don't know what the max distance is between keypad and panel. Our
alarm installer is unsure as well, so I'm doing my own research. Any
help is appreciated.

Regards,

Roveer

This is from page 3.3 of the Vista 50 Installation manual:

"#22 gauge 450 feet
#20 gauge 700 feet
#18 gauge 1100 feet
#16 gauge 1750 feet

The length of all wire runs combined, regardless of wire gauge, must not
exceed 2000 feet when unshielded quad conductor cable is used (1000 feet
if unshielded cable is run in conduit, which acts as a shield, or if
shielded cable is used).

If more than one keypad is wired to one run, then the above maximum
lengths must be divided by the number of keypads on the run (e.g., the
maximum length is 225 feet if two keypads are wired on a #22 gauge run)."

Next time, don't be "lazy" and RTFM (Read the Freekin' Manual).

Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com

 

[Frank Olson]

Frankie,

What's really scary, his installer didn't bother to read the manual...

Amazing, isn't it? His installer "is unsure as well". Boy, I tell
ya... If one of my guys came to me with that line, I'd give the dummy a
few days off to "bone up" on his manuals... *without pay*...

I was going to suggest calling Bass, and then I remembered that Bass and
Ademco have had a bit of a "falling out". Besides, I figure his tech
support auto attendant will simply say his voice message box is "full"
(again).

 

[Mark Leuck]

About 698 feet

 

[alarman]

About 698 feet

Aw, dang.
js

 

[Robert L Bass]

Using a Honeywell Vista alarm panel with the standard keypads (sorry
for not having all the model numbers, but I don't have them handy).

Question: How far from the alarm panel can I put a keypad? I have a
large jobsite 23K sq ft which has a jobsite trailer that is almost 700
feet from the alarm panel. We want to put a keypad in the trailer, but
don't know what the max distance is between keypad and panel. Our
alarm installer is unsure as well, so I'm doing my own research. Any
help is appreciated.

I haven't tried this with a Honeywell Vista series panel but I've
run Napco keypads 300 feet from the panel using 22/4 cable. 18
Gauge wire is a bit more than twice the cmil area of 22-gauge.
16/4 is roughly 4 times the core size of 22-gauge and should work
though I couldn't swear by it.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

Bass Burglar Alarms
The Online DIY Store
http://www.BassBurglarAlarms.com

 

[Frank Olson]

Robert L Bass wrote:

I haven't tried this with a Honeywell Vista series panel

Translation: He's never *installed* an Ademco Vista series panel.

but I've
run Napco keypads 300 feet from the panel using 22/4 cable.

I understand you also recommended CAT 5 for keypad runs... Tsk!!

18
Gauge wire is a bit more than twice the cmil area of 22-gauge.
16/4 is roughly 4 times the core size of 22-gauge and should work
though I couldn't swear by it.

When all else fails, Robert, RTFM. This applies to you more than anyone
else in the Group...

By the way how *do* you get a two line 32 character Napco LCD keypad
display to read: "Attention Burglar" on the first line and "Go ahead.
Make my day" on the second?? Did you ever actually *install* a Napco
panel??

Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com