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Terminology
Alarm
An alarm is a message sent from a security system device (i.e. door
contact, glass break detector, motion sensor) to the control panel. The homeowner
has the choice as to what the control panel does with these messages.
Some examples would be to send the message to a monitoring company, sound
a siren at the home, or simply record the detection in the control
panel's memory to be retrieved later.
Animal Immunity
— Animal
immunity in a motion sensor means that it does not detect animals, but
does detect humans. Both PIR and DUAL TEC motion sensors may include some
level of animal immunity. Sensors are "rated" for animal
immunity, and may offer immunity to pets from 25 pounds up to 100 pounds,
depending on the sensor. If you have pets in your home, ask your security
professional for a motion sensor with animal immunity.
Arm/Disarm
Your
security system can be programmed to protect various areas in your home.
When you want to activate these protected areas, you can Arm the
system. By arming the system, you are instructing your security system to
turn on and to detect movement, glass breaking, etc. When you want to
turn off the protected areas because you're home, you can Disarm the
system.
CCTV
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is the latest security technology to
make its way into the home. A CCTV system allows you to observe areas in
and around your home. A system typically consists of from one to four
cameras, a video observation monitor, and a VCR—if the homeowner wants to
record events while away from home. It is also becoming a necessity
in the business setting.
Central Station/Monitoring
Company
A Central
Station or Monitoring Company is a business that—for a small monthly
fee—monitors the alarm signals that are sent to your control panel. The
monitoring company is instructed by you as to how they should handle the
reporting of your alarm signals.
Control Panel
A control
panel is the brains of your security system. It monitors your security
devices (motion sensors, glassbreak detectors,
door and window contacts) and when it is in the "Armed" state,
it helps track many events such as:
·
Door openings and
closings
·
Movement detected
by a motion sensor
·
Power failures
·
Low battery
A control panel is comprised of one or more circuit boards
and wires, all of which are contained inside a metal box, called a can.
The control panel is usually installed inside a closet in the home.
Door/Window Magnetic Contact
A door or
window contact is a two-piece device consisting of a reed switch and a
magnet that is mounted to the top or bottom of a door or window frame.
When the door or window is closed, the switch and magnet "make
contact." When the protected door or window is opened over about 2
inches, the contact is broken and an alarm message is sent to the control
panel.
Glass Break Detector
A glass
break detector is a device that detects when glass doors, windows or
glass skylights have been broken. Glass break detectors
"listen" for two sounds to determine whether or not glass has
been broken. First, they listen for the flex sound that a window makes
just before it breaks (we can't hear this sound.) The detectors then listen
for the audio portion of the glass breaking (what we can hear.) If these
two sounds match what the detector knows to be a glass break event, the
detector sends an alarm message to the control panel.
Hardwired
A
hardwired system is one that is wired into your home, similar to the way
your phone lines and cable television lines are wired inside the
walls. IDSS also has wireless products.
Keypad
Also
known as the "user interface" to your security system, the
keypad is your way of communicating with your system. The keypad is your
method of turning on and off your security system, checking the status of
the zones, adding in new users, etc. Keypads are available in many
styles, depending on the system you choose.
Motion Sensor
A motion
sensor is a device that is designed to detect movement in the area it is
set up to monitor. Motion sensors in your home communicate to your
security system control panel and send a signal when motion has been
detected. If your security system is monitored, this signal is also sent
along to a Central Station operator.
There are two main types of motion sensors available:
PIR motion sensor
— A passive infrared motion sensor (PIR) senses
changes in ambient (background) temperature. When a person enters a room,
the background temperature changes and it is detected by the PIR, which
in turn sends a message to the control panel that this event has
occurred.
DUAL TEC® motion
sensor — A DUAL TEC motion sensor is a dual
technology sensor which uses two technologies to detect motion. Not
only does it detect changes in ambient room temperature (like a PIR), a
DUAL TEC motion sensor also uses Doppler (like the technology used to
predict weather) to detect moving mass. Therefore, the DUAL TEC motion
sensor does not send a message to the control panel until it has received
and analyzed both messages-that both heat (PIR) and moving mass (Doppler)
have been detected.
Monitored Security System
A
monitored security system is one that has an account set up with a
Central Station/Monitoring Company. When a monitored alarm system is
activated, the messages that are sent from the detectors and sensors are
first sent to your control panel, and then to a Central
Station/Monitoring Company operator.
Perimeter Protection
Perimeter
protection gives you the ability to secure areas outside of the home. An
example of a perimeter protection device would be a glass break detector,
a motion sensing light, or a gate contact that would signal when an
outside gate had been opened.
Pre-wired
A
pre-wired system is one that has wiring already in place to add a
security system. This allows the homeowner to add a system later, at
their convenience. Many new homes are pre-wired for security.
Space Protection
A security system allows you space protection. When you decide on a
security system, you decide which areas (zones) you want to protect, and
what type of protection you want for each zone, whether it be glass break
detection, motion sensing, door opening detection, etc.
Video Observation System
A video
observation system is a device that combines a monitor and a switcher in
one compact unit. The observation system can be attached to any
combination of one to four color or black and white cameras. You can hook
up a VCR to record activities monitored by the attached cameras. This system
allows you to observe areas of your home while you're busy in another
room. This can also be done with digital recorders.
Wireless
A
wireless system is a security system that uses RF (radio frequency) to
communicate from a device (glass break detector, motion sensor) to the
control panel. It does not require wiring in the walls.
Zones
A Zone is
an area in your home that is designated to be the "protected
area." IDSS security systems are available to protect from 1 to over
100 zones in your home, depending on the size of your home and your
security needs.
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