Adding Additional Wired Sirens to Alarm System like DSC Powerseries, Neo, Concord
Typically, wired security alarm systems have a siren output, otherwise known as bell output that is meant to drive ONE 12vdc siren or siren/strobe combination. This 12vdc output can handle a maximum output current, so any connected siren(s) and/or strobe(s) cannot exceed this rating. For example most DSC Powerseries support up to 700ma current draw. Exceeding this current draw will be detrimental to the alarm so choose the siren carefully as some sirens can require of 1A or 1000mA (or more) so technically they are too large for the alarm system. You may be able to get away with one over rated siren but there are no guarantees. At best it will cause strain on the system and battery and could fail.
In order to connect more or larger siren(s) additional hardware is required. Depending on the system, you may be able to connect one siren to the siren/bell output and then use a programmable (PGM) output to trigger an external relay.
You will need an additional 12vdc power supply and ideally rated at 2-5 Amps (2000-5000 mA). The other catch is that the alarm system will have a battery backup so it can continue to function in case of a power failure.
So if you are adding an additional siren(s) and you want them to work during a power failure, you'll also need the siren power supply to have its own battery backup.
You will connect a relay to the PGM output of a relay and the output of the alarm system, will trigger the relay.
The siren power supply will connect through the relay, to the siren(s) so the relay will turn on the siren.
It will look something like this:
Note, we are not showing proper wiring or terminal connections. This is just an example of how the pieces work together. As this is complicated we only recommend attempting this if you are completely tech savvy with electrical devices and if it's absolutely necessary to have additional sirens on your alarm. Otherwise we highly recommend using one single siren or siren/strobe only.
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