Happy vacation, sir. We'll talk about this when you get back, but here's some thoughts on your post:
1. Your bullet list:
- Digital Multimeters
- Parallel Circuits
- Series Circuits
- Field Splices
- ITB Splices
- Troubleshooting Circuits
Reflects no similar order or section naming convention in the post. Also "Troubleshooting" Circuits" = Ohm's Law?
2. "Use series on circuits with a few low powered devices with short wire runs. Use parallel on circuits with lots of devices, with devices that need lots of power, and/or with long wire runs."
I disagree with this for a lot of reasons, but 'Low powered' and 'lots of devices' is too subjective. So is 'lots of power', and 'long wire runs'.
Needs to be more concrete, like:
'Unpowered Door/Window contacts should be wired in series, unless length is 500 feet or more.'
'Motion Sensors should never be wired in series when powered from the panel, but always in parallel, to avoid power issues.'
3. "Generally speaking, you want to keep an alarm circuit in the 30Ω to 40Ω range, if possible. Alarm panels can often handle up to 70Ω before they show an open zone."
Are you confident about this? 70 ohms? Is that all panels? EOL resistors are more?
4. Now: When To Use Parallel vs Series
Proposed: Parallel vs Series Circuits for Alarm Contacts
This entire section makes no mention of the differences in voltage and amperage this choice makes. It needs to be disclaimed in the heading or we are going to get destroyed.
5. Now: "In the 2 door contact scenario, we measure resistance at the panel. One door reads 12Ω and the other reads 13Ω, for a total of 25Ω. Therefore, we can use a series circuit. Before we do, we will take a resistance reading from the two legs of the circuit and confirm the combined resistance. "
Therefore why do we use a series circuit? Then, before we do what?
6. "In the 5 window sensor scenario, we could use either a parallel or a series circuit. When measuring, we find that all the windows give a reading of 8Ω each. If we wired them all in series, the total circuit resistance will be 40Ω (8x5). However, if we wire them in parallel, we instead divide the resistance by the number of devices (8/5), giving us 1.6Ω."
What does this mean? not trying to be a jackass, but what?
7. "An experienced installer may decide to choose either series or to divide the sensors between two different zones."
Why would he chose one or the other according to zone type? what is the criteria?
8. "But dividing the sensors between two or more zones is only a possibility if the panel has a zone available. Otherwise, a zone expander will need to be purchased and installed. "
Not the right way to introduce a zone expander, needs it's own section and detailed description up front, not buried in a section about parallel vs series circuits.
9. Now: When To Use In-The-Box Splices vs Field Splices
Field splices make me want to punch a baby and so do flying lead nodes. Please don't say "we recommend a flying lead", say "some professionals use flying leads" instead.
10. Now: How Does This All Work
Terrible name for what this section is - a glossary, and this entire section is in the wrong spot. Define terms as you use them, like Ohms, if it is even important. I'd find a way to just drop this section.