HKC panel battery fault - high power draw?

knobtasticus

Hello,

Quick query for the alarm experts in here - is there a scenario where a battery fault with a HKC panel could result in an abnormal rise in power draw by the panel?

Just received an ESB bill that is 4X the size of my average bill with no known or obvious explanation for it. The only atypical event during this period was my alarm had a battery fault for about a month of it. Battery was replaced yesterday so I can no longer check if it was generating a draw.

I’m stumped to explain the power usage for the period so trying eliminate things. Thanks!

PixelCrafter

Extremely unlikely. It would want to be one hell of a fault to cause that and would be difficult to draw that much power through a 3 amp fuse, which is likely sitting between your alarm panel and the wiring.

You would be better to look at heating appliances, particularly water heaters etc.

Most likely explanation is your bill was estimated and they read the meter and brought it up-to-date.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058382265/hkc-panel-battery-fault-high-power-draw

Not an alarm expert, but I can advise that an alarm is incapable of consuming large amounts of power. They typically have small enough power supplies (up to ~150W) and any fault where power was being consumed like that would have resulted in other symptoms.

Check the bill just like this thread:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122883303#Comment_122883303

Jnealon

As above, that panel will only draw milliamps. Estimated bill, more than likely

knobtasticus

Have spent the day troubleshooting the entire house and investigating for high power draw. Can’t identify anything that would explain it and the only thing I couldn’t eliminate was the battery fault on the alarm. Knew it was highly unlikely but had to check anyway. This and the last bill were both read and the bill before that was read and submitted by me. Normal usage about 4-500kWh, this bill is 2300kWh. Something else abnormal happening so.

Cheers for the help lads!

altor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058382265/hkc-panel-battery-fault-high-power-draw

The battery being low would not draw 4 times the electrictity usage for your premises.

More than likely some other appliance. To rule out the alarm down power it and check usage.