Noob Questions on Alarm Zones/wiring

Swancoat

Active Member
So, I'm wanting to replace my current basic panel with an ELK M1G setup, and I'm examining my current setup to see exactly what is hooked up here and how I move that to a new system. So far, it seems pretty straightforward. My current setup only has 5 zones, which is disappointing (upstairs windows and main floor garage door are same zone. WTF?). Anyway, I'm getting into the panel and what I think has gone on here is that the builder actually wired up many individual zones, but connected them in series in the panel (awesome, right? I can just connect things I think should be separate zones to individual zone inputs in the M1G and things will make more sense). I'm attaching a pic. Can someone confirm for me that's what's going on here? (I'm 99% sure, but the confirmation would be nice).

And what are those white things? Just some sort of 'crimping' attachment, or is there some sort of resistor in there?

Finally, is there a way to easily identify which of all of those white zone wires corresponds to each zone? Something I can hook up to it and just test the zones to see what activates it (some super-loud buzzer of some sort would be best).

Thanks!
 
Yes, they put into series everything in the panel - you should be good.
Those crimps are called "B" connectors or "beanies".
The easiest way to tone out your zones with the M1G, in my opinion, would be to connect everything and set all zones for voice chime. As you go around opening everything it will speak the zone number by default; just walk with a pad to record what is what.
 
I tested mine manually with a multi-meter using the continuity test. I clipped my leads to a pair of wires and had my wife open each door/window until the meter sounded indicating which sensor I was connected to. This was done before the alarm was installed, so I labeled each set of wires before I connected them.
 
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