Adding a third keypad to a Caddx NX-8, wiring help requested!

[brim]

I have a perfectly working Caddx NX-8 system with two keypads that I'd
like to add a third keypad to and I have a question about the wiring.
This system came installed with my house but I think I have the wiring
figured out. Both keypads are wired directly back to the NX-8 board.
Now, I'm assuming I could add the third keypad's wiring back to the
board but it would be much easier for me to tap into one of the
existing keypad's wiring.

Is it possible for these keypads to be wired in series (the
wiring diagram in the manual seems to suggest so)? Or will I have to
run a separate wire bbck to the panel? Thanks for your help!

 

[joe]

I have a perfectly working Caddx NX-8 system with two keypads that I'd
like to add a third keypad to and I have a question about the wiring.
This system came installed with my house but I think I have the wiring
figured out. Both keypads are wired directly back to the NX-8 board.
Now, I'm assuming I could add the third keypad's wiring back to the
board but it would be much easier for me to tap into one of the
existing keypad's wiring.

Is it possible for these keypads to be wired in series (the
wiring diagram in the manual seems to suggest so)? Or will I have to
run a separate wire bbck to the panel? Thanks for your help!

not prob. use stranded wire though, not solid.

 

[Rich]

Parallel or series it doesn't mater three conductor.
How far is the run? and you need to set the keypad in programming.

 

[Crash Gordon]

is caddx sensitive to solid wire?

not prob. use stranded wire though, not solid.

 

[Frank Olson]

is caddx sensitive to solid wire?

Asking a question like this (in this group) is like pulling the control rods
all the way out of a nuclear reactor after the "recirc" pumps have failed...
;-))

 

[joe]

is caddx sensitive to solid wire?

GE recommends stranded and I have had problems with erratic behavior of
kp after accidentally pulling solid wire to kp before, had to re pull
stranded. had to enter code 2-3 times for kp to work & would lock up kp
for period of time prob errors in comm.

 

[brim]

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it. It's only about a 20ft
run (max...probably closer to 10-12) so I don't think I'll run into any
max run limitations. As for the programming of the system, I'm not too
keen on that. I have both the installer code and they install manual
tho...if someone could point me in the right direction I would
appreciate it. Thanks for the continued help!

-b

 

[Crash Gordon]

I know...but I love to live dangerously! Pull the rods Fred!

Let's see in 20+ years and with 4000 residential alarms installed with an
average of 3 keypads per home...12,000 keypad runs, lets say 75 ft runs to
each 900,000 feet of solid wire run (lets subtract out the few that I did
run stranded) and round it out to 850,000 feet and never a problem with
solid keypad wires. I could also calculate device wiring runs as well

I think the stranded v. solid issue is largely urban legend. If you wire the
system properly you'll have no problem with either...and there's pro's and
con's for each.

 

[joe]

I know...but I love to live dangerously! Pull the rods Fred!

Let's see in 20+ years and with 4000 residential alarms installed with an
average of 3 keypads per home...12,000 keypad runs, lets say 75 ft runs to
each 900,000 feet of solid wire run (lets subtract out the few that I did
run stranded) and round it out to 850,000 feet and never a problem with
solid keypad wires. I could also calculate device wiring runs as well

I think the stranded v. solid issue is largely urban legend. If you wire the
system properly you'll have no problem with either...and there's pro's and
con's for each.

Crash, Do you install NX panels?
I looked in the manual and could not find where they recommend stranded
although I'm sure I read it somewhere in a manual years ago after having
trouble with a keypad in an install. Maybe they've changed the specs
since then or maybe I'm loosing my mind. But since then i've gone
with stranded on the keypad runs for NX systems although I can't find it
in the new manual now.

 

[alarman]

Maybe they've changed the specs

since then or maybe I'm loosing my mind. But since then i've gone
with stranded on the keypad runs for NX systems although I can't find it
in the new manual now.

The problem you mentioned, occasionally having to re-enter the code several
times, is a characteristic/flaw in the Caddx panels. The old Ranger series
had the same trouble.
js

 

[joe]

The problem you mentioned, occasionally having to re-enter the code several
times, is a characteristic/flaw in the Caddx panels. The old Ranger series
had the same trouble.
js

the install I'm thinking of stopped having that problem after I switched
to the stranded wire so i've stuck with it ever since. I know I read it
in the manual at the time, that is why I switched to stranded on that
job. But its not in the manuals now that I can find.

 

[brim]

Thanks for the tips for stranded v. solid core wires, but back to my
question...

I don't think my system is partitioned (small system, 6 zones...3
doors, motion, 2 smoke) and from as far as I can tell, *-9-4 is all I
need to do to set the keypad number. Do I still need to mess with the
partition setting even if I don't have that set up (assuming they're
all on partition 1 or 0...I don't know how to check that). Thanks!

Also, wheres the best place to pick up a small amount of 22-24/4 wire
for this...I don't really need a 500' spool.

 

[brim]

Thanks for the tips re: stranded v. solid core wire, but back to my
original question...

My system is a fairly small one (6 zones... 3 doors, motion, 2 smoke)
so I really doubt it's partitioned, although I'm really not sure and
have no idea how to check/verify this. That being said, do I still
need to go through the partition programming (I'm guessing maybe it's
all on partition 1 or 0...whichever it starts out at). Looks like
*-9-4 gets me to the set keypad number options...I guess this shouldn't
be that difficult.

Also, where's a good place to pick up stranded 22-24/4 wire for this
job? I don't need a 500ft spool and that seems to be all I can find
online. Would Lowes/Home Depot carry this by-the-foot? Thanks for
your help.

 

[joe]

Thanks for the tips re: stranded v. solid core wire, but back to my
original question...

My system is a fairly small one (6 zones... 3 doors, motion, 2 smoke)
so I really doubt it's partitioned, although I'm really not sure and
have no idea how to check/verify this. That being said, do I still
need to go through the partition programming (I'm guessing maybe it's
all on partition 1 or 0...whichever it starts out at). Looks like
*-9-4 gets me to the set keypad number options...I guess this shouldn't
be that difficult.

Also, where's a good place to pick up stranded 22-24/4 wire for this
job? I don't need a 500ft spool and that seems to be all I can find
online. Would Lowes/Home Depot carry this by-the-foot? Thanks for
your help.

*94 [program code] the service led & instant led will flash
enter keypad #. [prob 3]
press *, instant led steady, service led flash.
enter partition # [1].
keypad will automatically exit prog mode now.

 

[brim]

Thanks for the confirmation. I have one more question and I'll leave
you guy alone.

I have one LCD (NX-148) and one LED (NX-1308). I know how to check the
current number/partition on the LCD (it shows you when you enter
program mode)...is there any way to see what the current settings are
on the LED pad?

Thanks again for being hospitibale to a new guy.

 

[Mark Leuck]

the install I'm thinking of stopped having that problem after I switched
to the stranded wire so i've stuck with it ever since. I know I read it
in the manual at the time, that is why I switched to stranded on that
job. But its not in the manuals now that I can find.

I've got about every NX manual made and I can't find anyplace where it says
that

 

[Jim]

Perhaps not in this case, but on many systems by a certain mfg., using
solid wire for the keypad run invites nightmares.

KM

Care to tell us actually WHICH manufacturer, thinks there's a
difference between stranded and solid wire? And why?

I could understand, maybe a difference between twisted and untwisted
....... or shield and unshieded .......but solid and stranded ?????

If it's true, I'd really like to hear the manufacturers reason.

 

[joe]

Perhaps not in this case, but on many systems by a certain mfg., using
solid wire for the keypad run invites nightmares.

KM

ie. Ademco's APEX Destiny 6100 [musta been where I came up with the idea
as I have one in my house], 2100, along with some boat and RV systems
and gate/perimeter systems, Lenel Command keypads, IEI 232iLM keypad, etc.

 

[Crash Gordon]

Yah right...but wouldnt electrons traveling in a nice straight line in solid
wire (no spinners) get there faster hence they'd have a better chance of
beating the Pauly-ference. Also, there'd be less of tendency for them to get
all tangled up in them strands.

 

[Karl Magnus]

It makes no difference whatsoever whether you use solid or
stranded core wire.

Regards,
Robert L Bass
www.BassBurglarAlarms.com



--

Regards,
Robert L Bass
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com

Perhaps not in this case, but on many systems by a certain mfg., using
solid wire for the keypad run invites nightmares.

KM