My Home Security Pro Home Security Jargon

Access Code: A numeric code that allows you to turn the security system on or off. It is usually made up of four digits.

Alarm System: Another term for security system, it is a group of interconnected components and devices which monitors your home or another building

Bell: It is one of the terms used to refer to the siren or the sounding device of the security system.

Bell Cutoff: It is the amount of time before the alarm's bell turns automatically off after an alarm happens.

Bypass: To bypass is to deactivate a zone or zones before turning the system on. One example is when you want a door or a window open while you work on your garden and also want to turn the security system on. You can bypass that door or window before turning on the system.

Central Station or Command Center: This is the agency that will monitor you security system and will contact the authorities if the alarm goes off.

Chime: This is the sound that will come out when a zone is opened or closed, and is used when the system is turned off.

Contacts: This term is used for the switches placed on doors and windows which will tell the control panel if a door or a window was opened and closed.

Entry Delay: This refers to the amount of time before the alarm sounds.

Exit Delay: The time interval from the time when the alarm is turned on to the time the system becomes active. During this time, any movement detected or any alarm-triggering instance will not make the alarm go off.

Hardwired: This is a method of installing a security system where all components and devices are connected to the control panel by wires.

Installer Code: This is a code usually composed of four digits that will allow an installer to change anything on the system's program.

Loop: This term is used for the wiring circuit in a zone, when switches form a loop.

Master Code: This is a code, also usually a four-digit one, that will allow you to turn the security system on or off and also enables you to make some small changes in the system.

Normally Closed: This is a type of security system wiring wherein the detection device use a switch or circuit that is closed when the door or window it covers is closed.

Normally Open: This is a type of alarm system wiring wherein the detection device use a switch or circuit that is open when it is secure.

Partition: This means to divide a security system into two or more independent subsystems. Each division or partition would then have to have its own keypad for independent control.

Programming: This refers to configuring and setting the many options that will enable your security system to operate.

Snake: This term is used in two ways. It either refers to a long flat flexible wire used to fish wire through enclosed spaces or to the act of fishing a wire through an enclosed space.

Supervision: This refers to a configuration that will allow the control panel to check if all components are intact or not.

Wireless: This is another method of installing a security system, wherein all or most of the components communicate with the control panel through radio signals and not through wiring.

Zone: This is the area of your home or of a building that is covered by the security system.

Parts of a Home Security System

Communicator: This is an element of the control panel that automatically contacts the command center and transmits needed information.

Control Panel: It contains the security system's main circuit board, the backup battery, and other components. The control panel basically controls the security system.

End-of-Line Resistor: This is placed in an alarm circuit and which allows the control panel to check the circuit.

Heat Detector: This is a sensor that will trigger the alarm when the temperature in a room rises at an abnormal rate and reaches the heat limit.

Hybrid System: This is a type of alarm system that can use both hardwired and wireless communication between the control panel and its components and devices.

Keypad: This device allows you to control the security system by pressing down numeric keys to communicate with the control panel.

Line Seizure: This is one feature of the security system that enables it to take control of the phone line when the alarm goes off.

Memory: As the term implies, it is a component of the system wherein alarms will be recorded and displayed on command so that you will be able to determine what caused the alarm to go off.

PIR (Passive Infrared): This is one type of motion detector, and the most common one. It senses the movement of body heat as a person goes from one zone to another but does not really emit any energy, thus the term "passive."

Resistor: It is a small semiconductor that reduces the amount of current flowing through a circuit.

Standby Battery or Backup Battery: This is a rechargeable battery that provides power to the security system in cases of power loss.

Voice Dialer: This is an add-on device that, when triggered by the security system, automatically calls listed phone numbers in the system. It then plays a recorded voice message that will inform the receiver about the emergency.