Alarm Glossary of Terms.
Keypad.
This device normally goes inside the front door. It is where you set the alarm and disarm it using your personal code. It will have a display which informs you of any events related to the system which may have occured.
Control Panel.
This box contains the ‘brain’ of the alarm system and is usually located beside your electrical fuse board.You will never have to go near this panel as it should only be accessed by the alarm installer. Alarms-Dublin uses the HKC Securewatch alarm control panel and keypad which is the most popular in Ireland and is fully compatible with all monitoring stations and standards.
Panic Button.
This is a device which, when pressed, activates the alarm. The alarm keypad contains a panic button feature on it as standard. Additional panic buttons can be installed if required.
Alarm Cable.
These are the wires which are installed during construction throughout your home for the alarm system. Wires should be visible on your windows and doors and anywhere else where alarm devices will be located. The cables should be the same colour as the frames of the windows and doors.
Licensed Installer.
Any installer which has a license from the Private Security Authority (PSA), the body set up by the Irish
government to regulate the home security industry.
Monitoring.
When a home security system is connected by a phone link to a 3rd party.
External Bell.
This is the bell that rings outside your home when the alarm is triggered. It is usually placed high up near the eves at the front of the house. Modern external bells come with a flashing strobe light and self contained back up battery. They also should have a permanent visible light on to tell the world that you have an active alarm system.
Magnetic Contacts.
These consist of 2 parts, the magnet and the contact. The magnet is placed on the part of the window or door that opens. The contact is placed on the frame and connected into the alarm cable circuit. When the window or door opens and the magnet moves away, it opens the circuit and sends a signal to the alarm control panel.
Shock Sensors.
Also known as vibration sensors or inertia sensors, these devices contain a tremble switch. When a window or door is tampered with by an intruder the switch trembles and breaks the circuit, sending a signal to the control panel.
The device can monitor the extent of the vibration and thus be programmed to ignore false vibrations caused by the wind for example, and only activate the alarm when genuine attacks occur.
Motion Detector.
Also known as Passive Infrared detectors (PIRs).These devices are used to pick up infrared heat from the human body. When placed in the corner of a room they will see any movement and report it to the control panel. They cannot normally be used in areas where pets move about as they will see them also.
Internal Bell.
This is a simple alarm bell which rings loudly upon alarm activation. It can be programed to ring for a set length of time which is normally 15 minutes.
Alarm Maintenence Contract.
When you sign a contract with an alarm installer to maintain your system on an annual basis.
Back up Battery.
The alarm system contains a 12v back up battery which keeps it active in the event of an electrical outage for about 2 days. When the power comes back on the battery will recharge itself automatically.