Lesser-known Terms in Burglar Alarm Systems and Their Meanings.
Master Code:
It means the most authorized password. It is given to the person who will have all kinds of authority in the alarm system. For example, if you have installed an alarm in a workplace where 10 people work, the master code is given to the business owner. This code has all kinds of permissions. The default factory setting for the code is usually 1234.
Engineering Code:
It is the code used by the person who installs the alarm system to program the alarm system. The default factory setting for the code is 000000.
Entry Delay:
When the alarm system is installed, the business owner or authorized person is given a certain amount of time to disarm the alarm when they enter. This time is called entry delay. It is usually set between 10-30 seconds, depending on preference. The shorter the time it takes for the relevant person to enter the code on the alarm system keypad and disarm the alarm, the shorter the entry delay time.
Exit Delay:
Assuming that the alarm system is not installed, for example, when we leave the house and want to set the alarm before leaving, the time it takes from entering the code on the keypad to the alarm being set is called exit delay. During this time, we need to leave our house. Otherwise, the alarm will detect us and start ringing. It is recommended to keep this time around 45 seconds. Exit delay should be set to 45 seconds for both partitions.
What is Partition:
Partition means division. In alarm systems, there are 1 partition, 2 partitions, 4 partitions, etc. The partitions vary from brand to brand and from model to model within the same brand. The panel we mentioned in our example has 2 partition features. If magnetic contacts are connected to Partition A and PIR detectors are connected to Partition B, we can only set the magnetic contacts on the doors and windows, so we only set Partition A while sleeping at home at night. When we leave the house, we can set both Partition A and Partition B, and thus increase the security even more. Therefore, partition is a very important feature. Especially in home alarm system installations, at least a 2-partition alarm panel must be used.
Siren Duration:
When the alarm is installed and any detector detects something, the siren starts ringing. A certain time is set for the siren to stop ringing after it starts ringing, and this time is called the siren duration. It is usually around 240 seconds, i.e., 4 minutes. The siren duration continues as long as the detectors detect something.
Date and Time Setting:
The date and time setting of the alarm is very important. It is of great importance for retrospective information in case of an event that the time and date are correct.
Zone expansion:
Zone expansion refers to increasing the number of zones in an alarm panel. For example, a 4-zone alarm panel can be expanded to 8 zones by using resistive connections. Many panels have the zone expansion feature, and some even have zone expansion cards for this purpose.
Zone expansion is a term used to increase the number of protection zones in a burglar alarm system. An alarm system controls the areas that need to be protected, such as a home or a business. Each of these areas is called a “protection zone” or “zone.” Zone expansion allows the system to control more area by increasing the number of zones.
Zone expansion is typically used to protect larger areas such as homes, businesses, or industrial facilities. For example, if a single protection zone controls the entire home in a home alarm system, with zone expansion, different areas of the home can be defined as separate protection zones. This way, when an alarm is triggered in any given zone, only that specific zone’s alarm will sound, thus avoiding false alarms.
Connection to Monitoring Station:
Monitoring stations are 24/7 surveillance centers that monitor alarm systems. If we want to connect our alarm system to a monitoring station, we need to enter the monitoring station’s number into the programming. This way, we can connect to the monitoring center.
How does an observation station work?
Observation stations are monitoring centers that are established with permission from relevant authorities based on certain criteria and monitor burglary alarms that they are connected to 24/7. These monitoring centers first call the relevant individuals at the location where the alarm is triggered during an alarm. After confirming that the alarm is real, they inform the relevant law enforcement authorities to intervene in the incident. They also increase the security of alarm systems by calling institutions such as 112 for fire and emergency situations, not only for theft.
Fixed and Mobile Phone Call:
Many alarm systems have a telephone call feature on them, allowing us to call a certain number of fixed and mobile phone numbers that we enter into the programming. As you can see in this programming, this panel has the capability to call 8 fixed or mobile numbers.
Passwords:
Passwords are of great importance on the alarm panel. When the programming of the alarm system is completed, the Engineering password, Master password and user password must be changed without fail.
