Tools of the Trade No1

Cronapressman here - I'm down in the workshop today and I thought I'd just take a few minutes out to show you our recommended cutting tool for the Feelsafe/Safezone insert. (In fact it works pretty good on the 'B' and 'CB' insert too.)

Measure and then mark accurately the cutting point, position the snips at 90degree to the insert and voila a quick snip and the jobs done !

Clean cut - accurate too !

Remember my motto ? -  If it looks right it will be right !   If it doesn't - you guessed it - it won't !

So ! What you waiting for ? Get it touch with me at Cronapress and order the right too for the job.
Don't forget - Keep checking the Cronapress Blogspot for more 'Top Tips' too....

Cronapressman - a.k.a - Edward Scissorhands !!!!!!!!! Snip - Snip - Snip.......

Safezone fitting - Including an on site wall fix.

Greetings - Cronapressman here with some extra fitting tips to help you install Cronapress Safe-zone correctly and securely. For this post we will run through the various steps of instalation and also replicate a common on-site problem. Feedback from various alarm engineers suggests that crumbling walls/loose wall structure can be an issue which can result in ill fitment of the Safe-zone End-Cap and thus poor electrical continuity. (Examples of which have been posted on a previous blog.) The fix we illustrate is an example of how with fore-thought and an understanding of the components we can use easily sourced items/tools to achieve a good result.

No1 - Mark centre line of base on wall. Offer base strip into position and mark fixing hole position on centre line. (Should you be cutting to size on site ensure that new fixing holes are drilled within 80mm of base ends.)

No2 - In most instances drilling and fixing with quality wall plugs and appropriate size screws will be sufficient. However bear in mind the environment the alarm strip is being fitted into and upgrade fixings if risk of severe vandalism is likely to take place.





No3 - Fix base extrusion to wall.

No4 - Push end cap firmly into position and mark position of fixing holes.

No5 - Drill and plug as above.

Wall Problem - For this exercise we have deliberately enlarged a plug hole to replicate a crumbling/dry wall,

or possibly the drill bit was inappropriate for the plugs ? (Either way we need to construct a sound fixing.)

Our fix will involve the use of 2 part epoxy resin. All dust and debris needs to be cleaned from the bonding area before mixing the resin and applying into hole and around wall plug. A small brush is a suitable tool to remove all loose particles.

To stop the resin running out before fully cured we used adhesive tape to hold in place. This has the added benefit of forming a surface flush with the wall.

Above -Resin fully cured and adhesive tap removed. We can now continue with fitment of the Cronapress Safe-zone alarm strip.

No6 - Expose adhesive strip on reverse of L.E.D. strip, centre lights into either upper or lower channel of base rail and push lightly to bond.

No7 - Drop insert strip into lower lip of base rail and working from one end bend to feed top under upper lip.

No8 - Push Safe-zone End Cap connector tongue into strip, ensure 2 small extruding tabs locate under base and fix with screws into pre-fitted plugs.

Note - Insert strip cut 1mm shorter than base rail.

Note also - Insert fully covers electrical connection.

Step 9 - Test alarm strip for electrical continuity. Finally fix Safe-zone End Cap cover into position. The application of a 'Superglue' type adhesive in the pin holes will ensure not only a firm fixing but will maintain the strip electrical connection by virtue of the pushing effect on the insert by the caps underside.

Keep checking the Cronapress Blogspot for more fitting tips and product news. - Cronapressman.

Safe-zone End Cap Good Practice

Greetings, Cronapressman here - Blogging a few tips on good fitment practice of the Safe-zone End Caps.

Pre-fitment  - To achieve successful electrical continuity through the alarm strip the base rail must first have been securely fixed with appropriate fixings (dependent on wall structure) and the Safe-zone insert must have been trimmed accurately and neatly.
Remember that the insert needs to be cut 1-2 mm shorter than the base rail at each end. I find it best to fit the insert from one end and cut to size when within 50 mm of the opposite end.

Let's take a moment to study the Safe-zone End Cap above -
1) 3 x fixing slots to insure sound wall fitment.
2) 2 x Protruding tangs to insure correct position of connector tongue within the insert by locating under the base extrusion.
3) Rebate to accept sealing silicone if requirement to weatherproof.
4) Cover cap fixing pins (not visible) can be super-glued (Cyanoacrylate) to resist un-authorised removal.

Let's do it -
No 1) - Push the Safe-zone End Cap connector tongue fully home inside insert. Double check protruding tangs are under base.
No 2) - Mark 3 slot positions on wall.
No 3) - Drill wall with appropriate masonry drill and insert masonry plugs.
No 4) - Replace Safe-zone End Cap and fix to wall. Pushing firmly into insert as fixing screws are tightened.
No 5) - Test for electrical continuity.
No 6) - Cover cap to be push fit when alarm has passed testing.
NOTE - Further removal and replacing of cover cap will compromise the ability of the fixing pins to maintain a sound hold. The cover cap is designed to aid the electrical connections by applying a slight downwards pressure.

Remember - If it looks right it will be right !   If it doesn't - you guessed it - it won't !

Keep checking the Cronapress blogspot and Cronapress website for more news and tips.

The advantage of using 1.2kW resistor on Affray/ Panic Strips

Greetings, 'Cronapress Ken' here presenting -  

Technical and R&D Dept. - Bulletin No1

Why should a press strip profile use a 1.2kW resistor rather than a 10kW?

Although terminating the profile with 1.2kW increases the current and power drawn from the supply, there is an advantage gained if the system is used in the real world where interference is present. If the connecting cable between the profile and the sensing electronics is in ducting where other electrical cables are present then the proximity of these can generate interference signals. Cables carrying high frequencies can be troublesome as  can cables carrying  power at mains frequency when switching transients occur. Radio interference is also another source of interference.

In all cases, magnetic and electric screening will reduce the interference but, unfortunately, it may not be be possible and certainly will be prohibitively expensive. So what can be done about it?

The effect of interference can be represented in simple terms by a voltage source and an impedance representing the coupling between source and profile. This impedance will usually be quite high compared with the value of the terminating resistor of the profile e.g. stray capacitance between cable and profile. The interference appearing across the profile is thus determined by the ratio of the terminating resistor to this impedance. Thus the worst case would be with the profile open circuited. But using a 1.2kW resistor rather than a 10kW resistor will thus give a 1.2/10 reduction in interference and hence a significant benefit. It should be remembered that it will not eliminate it and additional protection may be needed in adverse environments. Hardware and software filtering can be effective in screening out  false triggering from interference signals.

 

 Look out for more Technical Bulletins on the both the Cronapress Blogspot and Cronapress Website.

Introducing Feel-safe (Satin)

Below are pictures of our 'Feel-safe' with a Satin finished base.

 Above - Feel-safe - Satin - Black

Above - Feel-safe - Satin - Blue.

 Above - Feel-safe - Satin - Red.

Contact Cronapress on 01943 876600 for further details.
Look out for more blog entries detailing other alarm strip profiles available from Cronapress

Introducing Feel-safe (Bright)

Below are pictures of our 'Feel-safe' with a Bright finished base,

Above - Feel-safe - Bright - Black 

 Above - Feel-safe - Bright - Black 

 Above - Safe-zone - Bright - Green

Above - Safe-zone - Bright - Red

Contact Cronapress on 01943 876600 for further details.
Look out for more blog entries detailing other alarm strip profiles available from Cronapress.