Having read the thread I would like to add the following for the groups
discussion.
I agree with all who say change your insurance carrier as the discount is
far less the cost of an alarm contract.
However an alarm in a domestic property can be justified if it gives piece
of mind to the occupier and alerts neighbours to an alarm or frightens off
the robbers.
An alarm will never stop you being robbed if the thief want to take your
things they will find a way.
On a technical front, PIR detectors can last over 15yrs but deteriorate with
age becoming hyper-sensitive causing false alarms.
Dual tec devices start to fail mainly because the microwave antenna corrodes
(especially in damp or cold locations like garages) this causes the device
to go out of tune giving false alarms.
Modern analytical vibration sensors (if setup correctly) will detect forced
entry on uPVC windows before the glass is broken. Mine did and still do.
The Redcare system is a BT dedicated telephone line which is monitored 24/7
so the monitoring station will know if the line is cut before you do.
Modern dual-com monitoring systems use both the mobile phone network and
landline together so unless you jam the mobile signal and cut the phone line
at the same time a line fault will be sent to the monitoring station.
By law external bells must stop after a predetermined time (usually 20mins)
but this is set by local authorities.This said if the alarm is programmed to
auto reset as most are the bell will stop for 10secs then start again.
Monitoring stations will call the police but most forces and stations
operate a 3 strikes and you're out system.
ie. Within a set timeframe ;1st false call a warning 2nd a fine ,3rd a
bigger fine and no more monitoring (NB you will still have to pay for the
duration of the contract.)
From the above it becomes clear that to guarantee everything works a company
must regularly check the system and would not normally take on a DIY
install.
We all know this is not always the case but hopefully you can see why nobody
will touch a DIY system.

HTH
CJ

"Toby Sleigh" wrote in message
...

Hope someone can help.....