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Frequently asked questions about wireless alarm systems

Q. How many detectors do I need?

A. Obviously that depends on this size of your home, but generally speaking you'll need somewhere between 3 and 5 for the average sized home. This applies regardless of whether it's a two storey or single storey home. Detectors should be located in rooms where there are valuables - family rooms, study, main bedroom etc., and if your budget allows, main hallways.

Q. What's the best position to install a PIR detector?

A. Wherever possible try to mount the detector in the corner of a room looking inwards, at about 2.4m height.  Detectors should be mounted so that the burglar will move across the field of view.  This includes hallways, where the detector should still be corner mounted.  Avoid aiming the detector at strong thermal sources such as fire places and heaters as this can, over time, permanently damage the sensitive sensor inside the detector and could be the source of false alarms.  Try not to aim the detector at outside windows, as they too can be the source of false alarms.  PIR detectors cannot actually see through windows, but they can see the glass changing temperature.

Q . I’ve heard that a wireless alarm system is easily interfered with by a transmitter, is this true?

A. No, absolutely not. Today's technology allows for the receiver in the panel to overcome any such attempts, and in addition report blocking attempts to the control room or to the owner via email or SMS.

Q . How often will I need to change the batteries in the detectors?

A. On average the 3.6v Lithium batteries will need to be changed every 3 – 5 years, in some cases much longer.

By comparison, a standard hard wired alarm system is about them same, and surprisingly both systems cost about the same. This is because although there is only one battery in a hardwired system (inside the main panel), the battery is far more expensive and requires a technician to replace it. With an AlarmBuy wireless alarm system, the detector batteries are much cheaper, and can easily be replaced by you in a matter of seconds.

Q . How will I know when a detector battery needs replacement?

A. In the case of the Visonic system the alarm panel will announce to you “in plain English” and on the LCD display that there is a problem, and identify which detector needs to have the battery changed.

Q . What’s to stop a neighbor with the same alarm system interfering with mine?

A. Every wireless device in the Visonic PowerMax range has its own unique 26 bit binary codes. Once the system has “learnt” the codes of each individual device connected to your system, it will not react to any other devices in the vicinity. Likewise, it will not interfere with any other systems in the vicinity.

Q . How will I know if I have turned the system on or off successfully?

A. Depending on your system configuration, you will hear arm and disarm beeps from the outside siren, or if you have the two way remotes, an armed or disarmed symbol will appear on the remote.

Q . How do I know if the system is on when I get home?

A. Understandibly, there is no visual indication from the outside that your alarm is "armed". If you suspect that the system might be on, just press the disarm button on the remote. Regardless of whether the system was on or off, it will announce (via the 2-way remote or the outside siren), that it is now off.

Q . What do I do if I accidentally trigger the alarm?

A. Firstly, don’t panic. Just press the disarm button on any of the remotes, and the system will disarm. The system will hold this event in the panel’s memory until you next arm the system.

Q . I tried to disarm the system using my remote, but it didn’t work, what do I do now?

A. In order to protect you from accidentally operating the system the key chain remotes have a limited range, normally not more than about 50m. Try getting a little closer to the main panel when using the remotes. This can sometimes occur when the remote is used inside a car. You could also have a low battery in the remote. Check the LCD display on the front of the panel. Scroll through the reports using the “Next / OK” key. In any event, you can still use the control panel code pad to disarm the system.

Q. What is the wireless range of the transmitters?

A. Most wireless alarm system manufacturers quote LOS (Line of Site), in other words - no obstructions. Others will quote worst case scenario, ie. inside a solidly constructed building. Visonic quote the latter, which is 100m. We have had the Visonic transmitters independantly tested out to 500m LOS. In reality it's not the transmitters that give the system its range, it's the sophistication of the control panel (receiver). The Visonic PowerMax series panels use a system called "Spatial Diversity". In essence this means the panel has two independant receivers. This is what gives them such amazing wireless range and reliability. You may not need to use the range, but it's nice to know that it's there. Good range is particularly important with multi storey homes.

Q. What is "Spatial Diversity"?

A. Spatial diversity is a system used by the wireless control panel to "listen" for detector signals. Practically all wireless alarm systems on the market have only one antenna. Talking in RF (radio frequency) terms, single antenna systems have problems with detector placement. This is because in some situations transmitted signals direct from the transmitter and reflected signals arrive at exactly the same time, cancelling each other out. The normal solution offered by the manufacturer or seller of the product is to recommend you to "move the detector around a bit until you find a location where it will work". This is commonly referred to as a "phase null" or "dead spot". Not much consolation if you've already mounted the detector! Instead, Visonic wireless alarm systems use not just two antennas, but two antenna and two separate receivers. It is physically impossible for a phase null from the one detector to appear at two separate locations at the same time - problem solved.

For further information please take this link to wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_diversity