"Wireless Receiver" and "Wireless Devices"- The wireless receiver is a device attached to the "panel" which communicates with any of the wireless devices (motion sensors, door sensors, etc) that you may have installed. Wireless devices require batteries to operate, which obviously grow weaker with time, which can sometimes have a negative affect on the performance of your alarm. Some companies require that only an "official" technician can replace the batteries (due to "technical" or "insurance" issues), requiring a service call.
"Rent" or "Lease"- An arrangement where you pay a monthly fee just for the monitoring of the alarm. However, you do not own the system, nor do you have the freedom to choose who monitors or services it. As a general rule, it is best to own the equipment if you own the dwelling in which you live. It will add to the value of the home, as any potential buyer will have the freedom to choose who monitors and/or services it. There are certain cases where renting a system is appropriate, however. See "design an alarm system" for details.
"Partition"- This is the process of splitting your alarm system in two or more "partitions", arming and disarming each area separately while using only one phone line, and paying only one monitoring fee. Many small businesses use a system with this option. For example, if a machine shop has an office area that is open during business hours, and a shop that is open 24 hours because of the midnight shift, they can protect the office area while allowing the employees to move freely in the shop area. Sometimes this option can be used in a residential setting, as well. For example, a homeowner who rents a portion of his/her home to tenants can arm his/her portion of the house separately from the tenant's portion. Or, a homeowner has a garage or work area that is not attached to his house, but wants to arm that area separately while he is at home. Each partition can have its own keypad, or one keypad can be used to access each partition. The monitoring company will know which partition is sending the alarm, and will send the authorities to the appropriate area of the house/business.
"Expand, Expandable, Expansion Module"- An expandable alarm system is one that starts out with a fixed number of "zones", but can be easily expanded to a system with many more "zones" by adding an "expansion module" to the panel. In this way, you can instantly give your alarm system the capability of holding more devices (motion sensors, doors, etc) at a relatively low cost. Most systems start out as 6 or 8 zones, and can be expanded in increments of 8. Not all makes and models of alarm panels have this capability, and it is a feature usually used in commercial or industrial applications.If you think you might be adding an addition to your home or business in the future, be sure your alarm panel has this capability, as most basic alarm systems do not.
"Partition"- This is the process of splitting your alarm system in two or more "partitions", arming and disarming each area separately while using only one phone line, and paying only one monitoring fee. Many small businesses use a system with this option. For example, if a machine shop has an office area that is open during business hours, and a shop that is open 24 hours because of the midnight shift, they can protect the office area while allowing the employees to move freely in the shop area. Sometimes this option can be used in a residential setting, as well. For example, a homeowner who rents a portion of his/her home to tenants can arm his/her portion of the house separately from the tenant's portion. Or, a homeowner has a garage or work area that is not attached to his house, but wants to arm that area separately while he is at home. Each partition can have its own keypad, or one keypad can be used to access each partition. The monitoring company will know which partition is sending the alarm, and will send the authorities to the appropriate area of the house/business.
"Expand, Expandable, Expansion Module"- An expandable alarm system is one that starts out with a fixed number of "zones", but can be easily expanded to a system with many more "zones" by adding an "expansion module" to the panel. In this way, you can instantly give your alarm system the capability of holding more devices (motion sensors, doors, etc) at a relatively low cost. Most systems start out as 6 or 8 zones, and can be expanded in increments of 8. Not all makes and models of alarm panels have this capability, and it is a feature usually used in commercial or industrial applications.If you think you might be adding an addition to your home or business in the future, be sure your alarm panel has this capability, as most basic alarm systems do not.
"Cellular Monitoring"- Usually used as a backup to regular phone monitoring. In the event of an alarm, your alarm system will attempt to send the signal through your regular phone line. If it does not detect a dial tone, it automatically switches to the cellular transmitter, and makes a "cell phone call" to the monitoring station. This system is not 100% effective (have you ever lost your signal while making a cell call?), but nonetheless very effective.
"Radio Monitoring"- Similar to cellular monitoring, with the back up signal sent by radio waves. This will only send a signal with very basic information, and the monitoring company will not know which device (door, motion sensor, etc) is sending the signal. Usually, they will only know if a security or fire device has tripped the alarm. Radio is not as effective as cellular backup, but generally costs less.
"Voip Monitoring" - See our page on alarm monitoring using voip for more information.
"Radio Monitoring"- Similar to cellular monitoring, with the back up signal sent by radio waves. This will only send a signal with very basic information, and the monitoring company will not know which device (door, motion sensor, etc) is sending the signal. Usually, they will only know if a security or fire device has tripped the alarm. Radio is not as effective as cellular backup, but generally costs less.
"Voip Monitoring" - See our page on alarm monitoring using voip for more information.
Basic Security Alarm System Terms And Definitions:
It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic security alarm terms and their definitions, if you want to make an informed decision about purchasing or leasing a home or business alarm. Alarm terms defined on this page:
Above:
A Typical Wireless Receiver For An Alarm System.
A Typical Wireless Receiver For An Alarm System.
"Panel"- This is the metal "box" that holds the circuit board or "brains" of the alarm system, along with the back up battery that powers your alarm during a blackout. In a normal installation, it is installed in the basement, usually somewhere near the circuit panel and telephone demarcation point (where the telephone line first enters your home). In an apartment or condo, it may be installed in a closet or above a drop ceiling. Be sure your panel is installed in an area where it cannot easily be tampered with.
"Line Seizure" - Your alarm system must have priority access to your phone line, above all telephones, internet modems, answering machines, etc. "Line seizure" simply means that your alarm panel will disconnect these secondary devices if the alarm needs to send a signal to the central monitoring station.
Above:
From Left: Alarm Panel, Keypad, and Circuit Board.
From Left: Alarm Panel, Keypad, and Circuit Board.
"User Code", "Master Code", "Installer Code" - Your alarm can be armed and disarmed with a standard (usually four digit) user code. Your master code is a step above a regular user code. It can also be used to turn the alarm on and off, as well as programming or erasing a regular user code. You can also use your master code to bypass certain devices. The installer code is the most important, it gives your alarm technician access to program your system during installation e.g. what type of device is being installed to each zone ("zone definitions"), entry/exit delay, telephone number of the monitoring station, etc. Most alarm companies use the same installer code for all of their installations, and the vast majority will never give their installer code to a customer, for obvious reasons.
"Keypad"- This is the device you use to enter your code to arm or disarm the system, and to see which device caused an alarm. Your installer will use the keypad extensively to program your alarm. It is sometimes confused with the word "panel". See our page on high tech alarm keypads to see the amazing things some keypads can do.
"Zone"- This is simply a way of seperating the devices (motion sensor, door sensor, etc.) that are attached to your alarm panel. If your front door is attached to zone 1 for example, every time that door is opened the "zone 1" light on the keypad will light up. In addition, if your alarm is set off by "zone 1", the monitoring station will know it was the front door that caused the alarm. Some alarm companies will combine devices on one zone (eg a door and motion sensor in the same room) if they run out of zones to attach devices to. While this is not recommended, it is pretty standard practice in the industry. Most alarm panels start with 6-8 zones, but some can be expanded. See "expand, expandable, expansion module" for more details.
"Away Arming" - This simply means that when you turn your alarm system "on", all perimiter devices (door contacts, window contacts, glassbreak detectors) and interior devices (motion sensors) are activated. Use away arming when you are "away", or not in the house when the system is armed.
"Stay Arming" - With stay arming, only the perimeter devices (door and window contacts, glassbreak detectors) are activated, and not the interior devices (motion sensors). This allows you to arm your system while you are in your home, without tripping the motion sensors.
"Stay Arming" - With stay arming, only the perimeter devices (door and window contacts, glassbreak detectors) are activated, and not the interior devices (motion sensors). This allows you to arm your system while you are in your home, without tripping the motion sensors.
"Pre-Wired"- Many new home builders will offer to run wiring for any future alarm system you may install. Many alarm companies offer a small discount if your house is prewired, as the cost of hard wiring and paying the installers are included in the price of the alarm. Many of the "free" alarm system companies will insist on using wireless equipment whether your home is pre-wired or not, as it costs them much less in labour to install a hard wired system. Also see "Rent" or "Lease".
"Hard Wired"- Each device (motion sensors, door sensors, etc) is physically attached, or "hard wired" to the panel in the basement. It is always best to have a hard wired system if at all possible. Obviously, a device that is physically attached to the panel will be more reliable than a wireless device that is not.
"Own"- An arrangement where you pay for the alarm and installation, and own the equipment outright, allowing you to choose who services and monitors the system for you. Owning the system will add value to your home, as whoever purchases your residence can have the freedom to choose who monitors and/or services it.
"Hybrid"- A system that uses both hard wired and wireless devices. This is sometimes used in a home with two stories, where the first floor devices can be hardwired, but the second floor devices cannot. Or, a home is hardwired, and a detached garage needs a door contact, motion sensor, etc. Always try to use a fully hard wired system, if possible. See our step by step guide to designing an alarm system for details.
More Home Security Resources On Alarm System Reviews.Com:
Home | Article Archive | Alarm Devices | Home Security Alarm Design | Before You Get A Quote | Cameras & CCTV | Crime Prevention | Evaluate Your Home Security | Just For Fun | National Alarm Reviews | Local Alarm Reviews | Review Submission | Securing Doors | Securing Windows
Copyright 2006-2009 Home Security
Alarm Basics | Articles | System Design | Device Types | Reviews | Crime Prevention Tips | Evaluation | Security Cameras
