B

BATTERY - A rechargeable backup power source to provide electricity in case of AC power failure. Each wireless device also requires a battery.

BYPASS - To temporarily de-activate a portion of the input devices, so it does not trigger the alarm system while armed. This feature is usually used when a sensor is defective, or a window is intentionally left open.

C

CENTRAL STATION - A facility operating 24 hours a day 365 days a year that monitors alarm activation. When an alarm is activated, the operator calls the proper authority or party as instructed by the subscriber agreement, advises them about the alarm and supplies important information regarding precise location or type of alarm.

CONTROL PANEL - This is the "brains" of the Alarm System, which receive information from all the Input Devices (contact, motion detector, glass break detectors etc.) process the information and triggers an OUTPUT DEVICE (dialer, siren, strobe light etc.)

D

DELAY ZONES - Any zone that after has been violated, waits a predetermined time before triggering an alarm. This type of zone is related to entry doors into the premises.

DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING (DSP) - Refers to various techniques for improving the accuracy and reliability of digital communications. DSP works by clarifying, or standardizing, the levels or states of a digital signal. A DSP circuit is able to differentiate between human-made signals, which are orderly, and noise which is inherently chaotic. In security, DSP is deployed in signaling devices such as motion detectors to minimize false alarms, and surveillance cameras to improve image quality.

DIRECT LINE - Also know as Dedicated Line or Direct Line. Special supervised phone line between Alarm System and Monitor Station, that if it is cut or tampered with the Monitoring Station will be alerted and take appropriate action. Direct Line is used for higher security level required for a computer store, financial institution, jewelry and fur store, gun shop etc which require a ULC Certificate.

DIGITAL DIALER - A device that electronically dials the resident's phone to the monitoring station, ensures that contact is made with the receiving unit, and sends an electronic message indicating: the alarm activation, low battery, arming/disarming of alarm system etc.

DISARM - To turn off or de-active the Alarm System.

DVAC - A network telephone system which meets ULC AA Certification standards and is replacing most others forms of Direct Lines.

DUAL DETECTOR - Dual technology motion sensors, for example, use both passive infrared and microwave technology in order to reduce false alarms and increase detection before initiating an alarm.

Duress Alarm - A device, such as a push button or pull station, connected to a security system to signal an alarm when an individual is threatened or forced to do something. Bank Clerks typically have a duress alarm installed beneath their counter to signal robbery attempts.

E

F

FALSE ALARM - A situation were an alarm signal is triggered without any intrusion attempt. Some causes of this are user error (accounts for over 80%), telephone line trouble and equipment malfunction.

G

H

HARDWIRE SYSTEMS - Each sensing device is physically wired to alarm control box.

I

INSTANT ZONES - Any zone that after it has been violated triggers an alarm condition with no delay.

INTERIOR SYSTEM - Sensing devices that are located in the interior of the protected area usually PIR.

J

K

KEYPAD - A keyboard type device used for entering a numeric code to arm or disarm the alarm system. The keypad usually displays the status of zones, control panel and power.

L

LOCAL ALARMA siren or bell is activated at the residence. This alarm relies on a neighbor to dispatch the police and/or intruder to be scare and run.

M

MONITORED ALARM - Alarm system which sends information to a CENTRAL STATION or MONITORING STATION.

MONITORING STATION - Same as CENTRAL STATION but is no requirement for guards to be on duty.

MOTION SENSORS - Commonly referred as PIR (passive Infra Red) works on principle of sensing infrared energy (heat) from the intruder's body in motion trough a protected area. It will not detect intruders trough walls, glass or others solid objects.

N

O

OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS - Service provided for a Monitored Alarm. Each time the alarm system is armed or disarmed special codes are sent to the monitoring station which record the time and by whom the system was armed or disarmed. If system is not armed at regular closing time the client is notified. If the system is disarmed at an irregular time (i.e. 02:00 AM) the client and/or police is notified. Open=Disarm system; Close=Arm system.

P

PERIMETER SYSTEM - Sensing devices that are located on exterior doors and windows to activate the alarm.

PHONE LINE SEIZURE - When the alarm is activated, this device automatically cuts off the phone service on the alarm line and uses it for transmission of the alarm signal, releasing the line when the message is completed.

PASSIVE INFRARED (PIR) - Typically, a sensor device that can sense movement within a specific area and change the state of a set of internal contacts as a result. These contacts can then be wired to a Request to Exit point of an Access Control System for automated egress shunting when a person approaches an Access Point from inside a protected area. PIRs are also common burglar alarm sensors.

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

WIRELESS SYSTEMS - Sensing devices use radio frequency transmitters to relay signals to the Control Panel.

X

Y

Z

ZONE - An alarm system with many input devices is often separated into a number of areas called zones. Each zone has an indicator light on the keypad which presents the status of the zone. When all zones are secure the alarm system is ready to be armed. In case of alarm, the control panel report to the monitoring station condition of each zone tripped.