Non-motoring > How much ampage does an alarm bell box draw? Miscellaneous
Thread Author: RattleandSmoke Replies: 3

 How much ampage does an alarm bell box draw? - RattleandSmoke
Planning to replace our alarm with a Visonic wireless system. I intend to use two sirens, the old original bell and a new wireless (powered by an internal battery).

The instructions say this:-

Total PowerMax+ output current (of INT & EXT sirens,
PGM output and detectors) cannot exceed 550 mA. For UL
installations, total output current cannot exceed 400 mA.
For EN installations, no external loads can be connected
to the PGM output and detector output.

However while modern alarm boxes only draw around 150ma does anybody know what an old traditional 12v bell is likely to draw?

 How much ampage does an alarm bell box draw? - diddy1234
probably around about an amp at 12 volts.

I used to have one and electronicly speaking they are wired like a relay that wants to turn itself off.

If my very rusty memory recalls it was about an amp current draw.

Hope it helps.
 How much ampage does an alarm bell box draw? - Zero
Its really a very very bad idea to connect an old style bell box to a modern alarm. Its a very very dirty user of power, very spikey, loads of back emf. Unless its electrically isolated it will kill the control box eventually.

 How much ampage does an alarm bell box draw? - Cliff Pope
What about using a relay to switch the current to an old fashioned bell from an old fashioned transformer?

That said, my old telephones and wall-mounted bell runs all right on a modern phone connection.
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