Why is the interconnection not working?

We will only address here issues relating to interconnecting Alarms together. Please contact technical support for any troubleshooting on systems including accessories or hybrid interconnections.

Hardwired Interconnection

Press and hold the test button of an Alarm in your system for 10 seconds. If during the test not all Alarms sound you will need to check your cabling.

A- Mains operated Alarms

WARNING: Mains operated Alarms should be installed and interconnected by a qualified electrician.

• Check that all Alarms are powered
• Check that interconnecting cables are wired correctly (qualified electrician only) ie all the IC terminals must be connected together.

• Check that the interconnect wire is NOT connected to Live, Neutral or Earth. Do not use an Earth wire for the interconnect line. The interconnect wire (minimum 0.75mm2 cable) must be treated as if it was Live. It should be insulated and sheathed.
• A maximum of 250 metres of wire can be used (maximum resistance between detectors 50 Ohms).
• Check there are no shorts on the wiring
• If the Live and Neutral have been mixed up, the alarms will have been damaged. Fix wiring and replace the alarm

Note: A maximum of 12 Fire / Smoke / Heat / CO Alarms and accessory devices can be interconnected in an Ei Electronics Alarm system. (Any Ei3000 series Alarm can also be interconnected to an Ei2110e, Ei160e and Ei140RC Series).

If you wish to connect more than 12 alarms, contact your local helpline.

WARNING: Do not connect these Alarms to any other type of Ei Alarm (apart from those listed above) or to any other model produced by another manufacturer. Doing so may damage the Alarms and could result in a shock or fire hazard.

B – Battery powered Alarms

• Check that interconnecting cables are wired correctly ie all the terminals marked 1 are wired together and all the terminals marked 2 are wired together.

• A maximum of 250 metres of two cores, 0.5mm2 to 0.75mm2, stranded signal cable can be used (maximum resistance between detectors 50 ohm)
• Note: A maximum of 12 Smoke / Heat / CO Alarms and accessory devices can be interconnected in an Ei Electronics Alarm system.
If you wish to connect more than 12 alarms, contact your local helpline.

RF Interconnection

Alarms fitted with RF modules left in factory default will communicate with each other. However, they will also pickup RF signals from neighbouring systems which can lead to false alarms giving the impression that there is something wrong with your Alarm system. This can be easily rectified by “House coding” your Alarms.

• Check that the RF modules fitted in each Alarm is compatible with that Alarm.
• House code your devices in situ (as per the instructions given in the use & care manual).
• Do not house code another group until the current one has been completed.
• When all devices are in house code mode, check each of them and ensure that their RF indicator flashes as many times as there are devices in the system
• If you have house coded your system as per the Use and Care manual of each of your device and some devices are not responding or some devices have stopped responding, then there may be an issue with the signal going to some devices and you will need to either:

o add a device to shorten the path where the signal does not reach, or
o relocate Alarms (e.g. move them away from metal surfaces or wiring)

It is important to check that all Alarms are communicating in their final installed positions.

We strongly recommend that all devices are returned to the factory settings if you need to house code them again.

Note: Alarms with RF modules should be tested regularly to determine whether there are sources of interference preventing communication, that the radio paths have not been disrupted by moving furniture or renovations, and if so, to give a warning of these and other faults.