10
Apr
2015
By Calvin at 15:20 GMT, 10 years ago
I’ve just had a three hour power cut. This happens to most of us from time to time, but have you noticed, especially if you live in a built-up area, how the loss of power is often marked by the sound of burglar alarms going off!
Why does this happen?
It happens because the owner of the alarm hasn’t had it serviced or, if it’s a DIY job, then the owner hasn’t replaced the back-up battery in years! Most alarms have a back-up battery, just in case there is a power cut, otherwise burglars could simply cut the power supply to an alarm and burgle at will.
The back-up battery keeps the alarm going for at least 24 hours, time enough for the electricity company to fix the outage. If the battery is dead and can no longer charge itself up then the alarm system will see this not as a power failure, but as an attempt to cut the power to the alarm. The alarm will then message the alarm box (which has its own battery) and the siren will start sounding.
Alarm sirens will usually go on for 10 minutes before giving the neighbourhood a rest and then might go off again for maybe two more 10 minute sessions before finally shutting up. Modern ones will then continue to flash a strobe light until someone, such as the keyholder, attends the premises and resets it.
If you own an alarm that goes off when it shouldn’t, such as during a power outage, then do please have the thing looked at. Otherwise you run the risk of your neighbours ignoring the thing, which won’t be too good if burglar Bill is rifling through your stuff. Also, if you’ve told your insurers that you have an alarm and you receive a discount for having one and then, when you’re making your claim, they discover that you’ve not had it maintained, don’t be surprised if they refuse to pay out.
The juice is now flowing down the copper wire again in West London and if by magic all the alarms have now gone quiet. Peace is restored!
Have a great weekend and keep ‘em peeled!
Burglar Alarm Advice: http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/gardens-lighting-access-and-alarms/501/burglar-alarms-advice/
