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Re Fios problem
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 If you can not connect to alarm system on FIOS it may be due to non-standard ring signal voltage. The panel may not "see" the phone line ring when the ring voltage is to low. The FIOS box probably uses some cheap ring generator not fully compatible with POTS line old standards. The POTS lines used I think about 80VAC superimposed onto the -48VDC on-hook 20mA current loop circuit.
 Connect an old phone or "ring extender" that uses real bell and hammer and check if it will ring.
Dusan
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Mr. Kirschenbaum
 Besides an alarm tech I am also a very proficient phone tech installing many types of phone systems as well as a Broadcast Engineer for a radio station involved with all kinds of communication lines.You name it I work on or have installed the service from Serial 14K lines and  ISDN to T1 , reverse polarity, McCullough loop etc.
 If it is trued fiber based  FIOS  providing dial tone  there is no problem at all up/ down loading etc and I always use Contact Id or SIA or at worse 4/2  fast format  and turn off rotary dial back up capability  on panels if the have it . If panel has been properly wired to seize line it should communicate with no problems I have hundreds of panels on FIOS including my own home which operate flawlessly just like old pots line . But you must properly seize the line and use at minimum cat 3 wire not straight station wire to block as I see many do straight wire allows cross talk.
 How ever what they may be encountering is Verizon DSL thinking it is FIOS
  DSL is not FIOS and requires a DSL filter to allow proper up/down and communication  you will find DSL being used where true FIOS is not available . If you put a butt set on phone line and hear a squeal or high tone your on a DSL Line. Several company's make alarm panel DSL filters for this purpose to allow DSL to pass but panel communication normally. Ask your local alarm distributor/
 As far as Vonage this is a 3rd party provided VoIP  not utility provided like a cable company.I do not trust it for communication
 My single biggest concern with all digital/VoIP  based Phone Lines provided by Verizon or cable company is the 24 hr back up time I  put a back up UPS uninterpretable power supply  on FIOS and cable interface  boxes to back up phone lines as most boxes provided by  Digital/VoIP provider only last 12 hours or less 
FIOS and Most digital cable phone services are recognized under NFPA  as  a  Public switched telecom provider   when they own there own distribution line and as such are allowed to be used for alarm communication when 2 numbers are hooked up . Many of my high risk fire accounts on digital/VoIP  have a back up cellular dialer as well  and since it is ancillary to the system as 2 phone line requirement is meet you can use a non fire cell unit.for back up.
 To help prevent and head off problems
   All my burglar alarm accounts  signal at a minimum weekly  and fire accounts every 12 hours when panel allows. or standard 24 hr.  and when I get a failing test from an account I download in to find out whats wrong and if panel does not answer I get out there and find out why it has not and correct it. Many times because a customer switched services and did not tell me
   Thats why it is important especially with fire systems which have sprinkler system attached to put an outside signalling device to warn a passerby to notify 911
Several times I have seen even pots lines fail  during lighting strikes etc and that outside sounder got help on the scene and limited damage.
 I know many dealers have continuous problems with phone lines while I do not and they need to be buying and using proper test equipment and get proper training to keep up with the issues.Equip there techs with lap tops so they can see they have properly programmed panels  account and central dial numbers etc. instead of guessing  or hire a pro like me  to help them.
I just helped out a dealer where 12 homes his tech did where not dialing out because he did not put in proper account code and central number and just walked out with out testing and put my dealer friend in serious hot water.
The telecommunications issue is just going to get worse not better  if you do not keep up you company will fail .
Nick Markowitz Jr.
Markowitz Electric & Integration
Verona Pa.
I have all kinds of articles and tips on my website
www.nickmarkowitz.com
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license question
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Ken
 I am certified as a low voltage tech in the state of Georgia. An opportunity came up
for me in New York to some CCTV, & Alarm work at a warehouse.  My question is is my low voltage cert good in NYC? If not what must I do to be able to do the job "legally".
Thanks in advance,
Greg
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Answer
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 You need a New York alarm installer license.
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Question - can your sub cancal if you sell the account?
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Ken
 Does the All in One and/or Monitoring contact have a clause if we sell our
account"s in the future and the client has 4 years left on their contract can they leave
with out any penalty?
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Answer
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 There is nothing in any of the Standard Form Contracts that would permit a subscriber to terminate the contract based on a sale of the account to another alarm company.
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AZ license info
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Ken,
 Could you please help in getting this very important information out to the industry. Misinformation and a lack of information has contractors scratching their heads. Some are misrepresenting their companies as licensed contractors, while others have called me to see if they should renew their contractors license.
Here is where Arizona ended up.

Arizona's alarm licensing. issued by the Board of Technical Registration (BTR), does not allow companies licensed by the BTR to act as Licensed Contractors. Only those companies licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) are licensed contractors.

A simple clarification, on this issue, would be to look at the BTR license as a license now required to work under the "Handy Man Clause" in Arizona. All previous requirements to post the words, "Unlicensed Contractor," on all advertizing, bids and contracts still remains in place, even with a BTR license. All contracts must remain under the $1000.00 limit in place under the "Handy Man Clause" and no contracting is allowed on any new construction, or structures currently under a building permit. NOTE: The $1000.00 limit includes the entire amount of the contract. This is to include the installation + the total amount of the monitoring contract. For instance; $99 installation + a 3 year monitoring agreement @ $29.99 per month, would total $1,178.64. That would then place an unlicensed contractor over the limit of the "Handy Man Clause" and in direct violation of the ROC.

NOTE: The BTR offers no recovery fund, no experience requirements and no testing, as does the ROC. BTR is basically a license to satisfy the concerns brought forth by the Arizona Alarm Association that some companies fell under the "Handy Man Clause" and required no license.

Also, any company who sells alarms, or monitoring, needs to have a BTR license, if that company is not ROC licensed. Only employees who respond to an client's property shall need BTR licensing. By law, this includes alarm suppliers.
Roger D. Score,  President
Arizona Alarm Dealers Association, non profit
arizonaalarmdealers.org
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