Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Testing Ademco System

Trying to keep a long story short...

I have an Ademco Vista 10e that was already hooked up when we purchased the house from the previous owner. We took over the contract price and signed up for 2 years. Then we got internet phone service via Verizon Fios. For over a year the system was not connected...and I didnt know it!! I even called once about an alarm trip wondering why I didnt hear from them. The only thing they said is that it calls out every 60 secs so maybe I shut it off before it had a chance to make the call. I didnt think of running a test, they didnt suggest it. A year goes by and I find out, "oh, your system isnt working b/c you have VoIP". Im stuck in a 2 year contract and had it connected for 6 months. IN the meantime, the contract was sold to ADT. So, now Im at the end of the 2 yrs, and I find out that Verizon Fios is NOT VoIP and that it SHOULD be able to work. Finally, I take a look at the connection myself and see that it might be that simple...after all this time!


(I tried to keep it short).

So, before I decide to cancel my contract - which is now in a nice month to month - Id like to get this hooked up myself.


SO I go down to look at the hookup and right away I see this cable - looks like a cat5 type - hanging out of the box not connected to anything. Ive since learned this cable should be connected to something called an RJ31x device. I've also learned this RJ31X is used to keep the alarm and phone connected at the same time, with the alarm having an override ability. Is that right?

My question is, while connecting through an RJ31x is the preferred approach, can't I just connect this cable directly to the back of my verizon fios phone router? Just for testing purposes? Its the same size/type connector as the other network cables plugged into my router - just dont know if the wiring configuration is the same?

Just in case I cant figure it out on my own, I've already told ADT if they'd like to keep me as a customer they will have to send someone out, free of charge, to connect me. But if I can avoid a service call and just direct connect the line, that would be preferred.

Any insights?

NO, DO NOT PLUG THAT CABLE INTO THE VERIZON ADAPTOR!!!

Despite the fact that both use RJ-45 plugs, they are not interchangeable.

Look in the FAQ for the proper connection of the phone line for the alarm. Basically, the telephone output of the FIOS adaptor takes the place of a normal Telco incoming line.

The proper place to insert the alarm system connection is where the Verizon connector connects to your house phones.

Ahhh! :-)

I knew it was too easy. Ok, what you're saying sounds more logical. I'll do my homework first and come back with any ques.

thanks as always!

Ok, not sure if anyone can help with this pic, but here's a shot of the "ONT" box that Verizon uses for their Fios service outside of my house:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/bheron/DSC_0927.jpg

do I connect into this box for the alarm? Or do I need to connect it somewhere inside my house?

Ok, Update. I've learned the obvious. The phone dial tone does not come into play until my VoIP modem. I dont have verizon home phone. I have fios (which is that picture above) which delivers the internet to my house. Then, from my internet modem, I connect my VoIP Vonage modem. Thats where the dial tone first comes into play. So, I need to connect my house alarm to this modem somehow?

The only line coming out of my alarm box is wired from 4 wires marked 17-20 on my panel door like this:

17 - Brown - Tip (Handset)
18 - Gray - Ring (Handset)
19 - Red - Tip (Incoming)
20 - Green - Ring (Incoming)

The four are wired together into one wire. So this is probably what goes into an RJ31x, to which a normal incoming phone line and my home phone are connected to.

So, instead of my internet router, can I connect this wire from my alarm system directly into my VoIP phone modem?

The white UTP/cat 5 cable connected to the red and green screws should be the connection that feeds your house telephones. That is the point that the alarm wiring has to go to.

But my red and green are connected together with two other wires, brown and gray. Do I need to split these up into two seperate wire? An incoming phone line feed and an outgoing feed (Red/green) to the house phones?

Here's pics of my alarm box. You can see a close up of the bototm picture of the only cable coming out of my box and the 4 wires its compiled of.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/bheron/DSC_0929.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/bheron/DSC_0930.jpg

Where is your RJ31X jack. That is the what you need to plug
that 8 pin connector to.

http://www.smarthome.com/images/12838side5big.jpg

:( ehh, i dont have one. i've never seen one down there. the fios installers mustve removed it when they altered the hook up. need to find a place to buy one I guess!