Q: When it comes to electrical testing of electronic security installations during commissioning, what would you recommend techs consider at a minimum?
A: Electrical testing parameters are broad, and they should include but not necessarily be limited to the tests we are going to suggest here – they will depend on application.
Before starting, you need to isolate any components that might be affected by test voltages. Now, depending on your certification level, you should test mains supply including insulation, resistance, ground loop impedance, continuity from mains to system power supply.
Other tests relating to mains include grounding and isolation of transformers, primary side transformer voltage and continuity of connecting wiring. The power supply unit needs its own testing including things like output voltage and current, for high and low charging voltage, charge on battery outputs, battery resistance with system running and main disconnected. Bear in mind you may need a qualified electrician to handle this work if you are not authorised to undertake it.
Sensors should be tested in non-alarm states for voltage and current. Other tests will include ground continuity and impedance of loop/s, insulation resistance, circuit resistance, polarity and isolation. You should check the full load for each circuit and the current demand of the whole system which you should check against the amp hours of the backup battery.
If there are wireless devices in the system, you should test signals to ensure these are strong enough to withstand the introduction of some ambient noise. You also need to pay attention to quality of signalling along cable runs to ensure you have some overhead for future expansion.
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