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ADT Focus System

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Grumpy

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Jan 10, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/10/00
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Focus works the same as the new Paradox multiplex system.  It was based on the C+K multiplex modules and detectors.  You can likely reuse the cabling if you must, and put in a Spectra or better panel.
 
WARNING...Make sure you don't reuse detectors, contacts, etc.  Two reasons. 1 - they (detectors) likely have the multiplexer built in, and 2 - the day after you finish, some ADT goon will arrive with a removal order, claim its leased equipment, they didn't know the last guy moved out, and rip it off the wall, cable and all.  

--
Y2K.....The biggest scam of the millennium !
Has anyone in the NG had experience with the ADT Focus alarm system. This system was left in a warehouse that I am busy helping a fellow installer replace with a Power 832 system. It appears to be a multiplexed system, such that all zones are on one or two loops. It seems we may have to re-run every location (preferred) or use a replacement multiplex system such as the Paradox Digiplex (second choice)
 
Can anyone confirm that this Focus system indeed uses multiplexing ? Thanks for your response.
 
R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

RobertCampbell

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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Jim Rojas

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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With leased systems, ADT can only remove the control, keypad, and any powered device, such as motions, gb's, sirens, etc.
 
I am 90 percent positive that the wire and contacts remain permanent fixtures of the building, and cannot be removed by no one other than the owner, or the leasee of said property.
 
Jim Rojas
Focus works the same as the new Paradox multiplex system.  It was based on the C+K multiplex modules and detectors.  You can likely reuse the cabling if you must, and put in a Spectra or better panel.
 
WARNING...Make sure you don't reuse detectors, contacts, etc.  Two reasons. 1 - they (detectors) likely have the multiplexer built in, and 2 - the day after you finish, some ADT goon will arrive with a removal order, claim its leased equipment, they didn't know the last guy moved out, and rip it off the wall, cable and all.  

--
Y2K.....The biggest scam of the millennium !

CBuchenau

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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RobertCampbell wrote:
> experience with the ADT Focus alarm system. =
>This system was left in a warehouse that I am busy helping a fellow =
>installer replace with a Power 832 system. It appears to be a =
>multiplexed system, such that all zones are on one or two loops. It =
>seems we may have to re-run every location (preferred) or use a =
>replacement multiplex system such as the Paradox Digiplex (second =
>choice)
>
>Can anyone confirm that this Focus system indeed uses multiplexing ? =

Focus is a commonm ADT product name for numerous controls. If you have a 4 cdr
cable with a #16 pair and a #18 pair going out to the sensors, then this is a
multiplex system. One pair for power and one pair for communication.


Carl Buchenau
Cincinnati, Ohio
ADT Commercial Sales
20 years with ADT


Martin Paterson

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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    I have had experience installing ADT focus systems and I can try to help you out a bit.  All the Focus systems I have worked on (45, 200, 200b, I can't remember all the different models) do work on a multiplexed technology.  The newest of this is what we refer to a SIMS (please don't ask me what it stands for I don't know).  These sims run of two wires only.  They are an addressable sensor and or modules that are connected to a main loop. In the new system I believe you can get about 70 devices on ONE 2/18 wire.  Now most installs don't have all the devices on one wire, they are branched off depending on the location and the devices.  The other devices and most commonly used in the older focus systems are called PID's.  Again these are addressable modules (dip switches) that are attached to a 4 conductor wire.  Two wires for power and the other for comm. These are installed similar to the SIMS in a branch or loop fashion. 
 
    If you have a system with PIDS then you might be able convert to a different system with little amount of wire runs.  You will have to find were the splice boxes are for each of your alarm devices and run you "new" wire from your panel to the splice boxes and splice into the existing wire.  With most PID installations the devices are usually grouped in fours but not always (depends on the installer and location)
 
    If you have a system with SIM modules or devices then you pretty well have to run new wires to the devices themselves.  One important thing to not is that some of the devices ADT uses is manufactured for the FOCUS system specifically.  So some of you devices may not be compatible.  These devices are easy to notice by opening them up and looking.  If they have only 2 terminals then it is a SIM device and if it has a "Molex" connection the it probably is a PID device.
 
    I hope I helped...
--

__________________________________
 
Martin Paterson
Ottawa Security Systems
martinp...@home.com
ICQ 6810728
 

Kim Husted

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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The 832 is a multiplexed system. If you have 4 wires running to a multiplex device its probably a PID ( point interface device) Each pid , depending on the size,either picks up 4 or just one point (zone). To replace it just put your expander where the PID is and set your expanders up for 4 zones. If there are no multiplex devices and the alarm devices have only 2 wires running into them it's called a SIM system. Each device will have a hardcoded hard id to identify it, and will not be able to be used with a conventional system. In the
SIM case youll have to re-run at least an extra pair for your keybus, but if its PIDyou should be in good shape.
 
Good Luck
 
Kim Husted
Norse Technical Services

RobertCampbell

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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Yes, Martin, you sure did. I'll take a copy of this message with me tomorrow and we'll look into it closely. If we can find in the ceiling those points where they come together, we may be able to reuse some runs. I do have a diagram in the box that seems to imply that lots of devices are spider webbed at various points so perhaps this will help as well
 
Many thanks for your quick and detailed response. You have helped greatly
 
Best regards,
 
R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

RobertCampbell

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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Thanks, I was hoping I could do that to save a bundle of wire pulling.......

ericbro

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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My dictionary defines "goon" as : (probably from gorilla + baboon) Slang, One hired as a slugger, bomber incendiary, or the like by racketeers or outlaw unionists for terrorizing industry or workers.
 
As an ADT tech who works hard to support his family, and does a good honest days work every day, I find this use of the word goons to describe myself and my confreres most insulting.
 
tell me Sir, do you describe all members of a visible minority or religion by an epithet, or is this restricted to competitors?
 
Enough is enough !
 
Eric Brophy
ericbro @total.net
 
Focus works the same as the new Paradox multiplex system.  It was based on the C+K multiplex modules and detectors.  You can likely reuse the cabling if you must, and put in a Spectra or better panel.
 
WARNING...Make sure you don't reuse detectors, contacts, etc.  Two reasons. 1 - they (detectors) likely have the multiplexer built in, and 2 - the day after you finish, some ADT goon will arrive with a removal order, claim its leased equipment, they didn't know the last guy moved out, and rip it off the wall, cable and all.  

--
Y2K.....The biggest scam of the millennium !

RichHrng

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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What you describe is most likely a multiplexed system and the age would
determine which technology. ADT Started multiplexing BA systems before some of
the people who call them(ADT) goons were in business. I would suggest you do
one of two things - either contact ADT to restore service to the system or
replace the entire system with on you are comfortable with.

Robert L Bass

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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We have replaced numerous ADT Focus systems. We generally would use a Napco
MA-3000 in the old days. The current Napco Gemini series now does what is
needed for a bit less money. I do agree that replacement is better than
adding onto the Focus system if one wants it serviced by other than ADT or
if one wants to service one's own system. I'll let others dispute the
relative merits of ADT.

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==========================>
Bass Home Electronics
The Online DIY Superstore
http://www.Bass-Home.com
80 Bentwood Road
West Hartford, CT 06107
860-561-9542 voice
860-561-5210 fax
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Grumpy

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Jan 11, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/11/00
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--
Y2K.....The biggest scam of the millennium !
My dictionary defines "goon" as : (probably from gorilla + baboon) Slang, One hired as a slugger, bomber incendiary, or the like by racketeers or outlaw unionists for terrorizing industry or workers.
 
As an ADT tech who works hard to support his family, and does a good honest days work every day, I find this use of the word goons to describe myself and my confreres most insulting.
 
tell me Sir, do you describe all members of a visible minority or religion by an epithet, or is this restricted to competitors?
 
Hey, Skippy, where exactly did I slur a minority or religeous group.  The crap and shit that regularly spews forth from the average ADT technical twit towards other companys, specifically independants, should convince you to mind your manners here.

RobertCampbell

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Jan 12, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/12/00
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Yes, actually we did just that - replaced it with a fully equipped DSC 832 system...! (I assume your suggestion to "call ADT" for "reactivation" was tongue in cheek).......(grin)
 
BTW, as a point of interest, the Focus "cans" are very large, strong, well engineered metal containers. I have saved them to make inexpensive key lock boxes for some of my clients who want those sorts of things (no kidding, and no sarcasm intended). These boxes would have been relatively expensive to build, and are far better quality than some commercial key lock boxes..Even the locks on them were much better quality, and also harder to pick open than cheap,conventional wafer locks normally found on some company boxes.I don't know if the electronics were of the same calibre, but that's rather a moot question at this point since all that got "deep sixed".......
 
Any of you locksmiths out there, keep an eye open for these - if you're into metalwork, they can be useful for quite a few different things......
 
R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
 
 
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