[Cooper S]

I reviewed everything here and was unable to find anything on this topic, but if it is posted already, I apologize. I received a 5504 unit for Christmas, and it has been working fine. Earlier this week something strange happened. WHen you call my house, the phone will ring once and then it sounds as if a fax machine comes on, and then the phone line disconnects for 60 seconds. At the same time, all the lights on my home alarm come on. 60 seconds later, the phone line is fine. It normally disconnects if you set off the alarm, but what is strange is why it's doing it now, when the alarm isn't armed? But what really confuses me is when I unplug the phoneline from Replay, everything works fine. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Pete Rod]

As a alarm system installer I would tell you to have your alarm system checked by your service company. All connection to phone lines are cut off by relays within the panels. Some alarm panels do sense the phone line voltage and this could lead to what you are going thur. The Replay unit has nothing to do with it.

 

[reedg01]

Several years ago my 3060 Replay did this (modem gets itself switched to Auto Answer). I just unplugged it for a couple of minutes and then plugged it back in, and it has never done it again.


Hopefully yours will fix itself this easily.

 

[BaysideBas]

Quote:

Originally posted by reedg01 Several years ago my 3060 Replay did this (modem gets itself switched to Auto Answer). I just unplugged it for a couple of minutes and then plugged it back in, and it has never done it again. Hopefully yours will fix itself this easily.

But this would be the same as if an answering machine picked up. Should have no effect whatever on the alarm circuits. In fact no incoming signaling should ever affect the alarm. And as Pete said, there is telco line voltage monitoring going on in case the phoneline is cut, thus compromising the functionality of the alarm system, but any regular phone traffic should not trigger this unless the detection circuit is faulty.


One possible scenario, although unlikely, would be if the Replay modem's going off-hook presents a momentary short across the phone line and this is detected by the alarm system as a phoneline fault. There should be a timing circuit for this in the alarm system configuration.

 

[reedg01]

I wasn't really speaking to the alarm system side of the problem, and will defer to the two of you who have more experience there. I was only addressing the Replay modem being in auto answer mode.


One way to test if the Replay is playing any role in this problem would be to just disconnect it's connection to the phone line and call home and see what happens.

 

[Pete Rod]

How often will this happen? Odds are it only happen a few times.Think of all the data that comes in thur a Telco line (Fax's, internet service, DSL, Satellite TV service dailups) and for the most part all gos without a hitch. This is a alarm panel problem. Unlike most products alarm panel have most of the modem built right into the motherboard. Go take a look at the panel. Look for water damage or wet areas. Bugs and mice can also damage alarm panels. And also check with your service company. Make sure it is not a problem on there end (Testing, computing problems or bad connections).

 

[BlaZeR2]

Actually, I think it all the alarm system. I too have an alarm system that does this. It is actually considered a "feature". The way our system works is this...


If you call my house, let it ring once, then hang up. Then call again in a few seconds, the alarm will actually answer the phone. It takes over the phone line (interupting all other phones and communications - again a safety feature) Then you can arm, or disarm your alarm (and do several other things) via the touchpad through the phone using your security codes and whatnot. When you hang up again, the phone line is returned to normal status.


I have had, on a few occasions, where my phone rang, then stopped after 1 ring. Then the person tried to call back right away, and they get into my alarm system. They can't do anything, because they don't know the codes, but it still takes over my phone line. It is wired intentionally this way, so in case you are on the phone and your alarm goes off, it will take over the line and contact the service center.


My replay has never been plugged into the phone jack, so I would say it isn't related to the Replay at all.


Take this for what its worth, YMMV


Justin