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Preparation
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Preparation
UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM
Your installed alarm system is designed to:
• discourage potential intruders
• scare intruders away before they take your property or
harm you or others
• alert you or others if someone breaks into your home
The alarm center is the main control panel for the alarm sys-
tem. It includes battery and AC power indicators, connec-
tions for sensors and other security devices, battery
connection wires, entry and exit delay controls, and a battery
test button.
To use the system, you must install sensors and other secu-
rity equipment in your home or office and connect them to
the alarm center. Then, if a sensor signals the alarm center
that its zone has been activated, the alarm center causes an
attached alarm device (such as an alarm siren) to sound.
Note:
A sensor installed in the panic/tamper zone can acti-
vate an alarm, even if the alarm system is not armed.
UNDERSTANDING ZONES
A zone is a single area of coverage, such as a front door, a
basement window, an entire room, or an entire home or of-
fice. Each zone is protected by one or more sensors (such
as a door/window sensor, motion detector, or panic button).
You can install as many sensors as you need.
Depending on the type of sensor you use and the settings
on the alarm center, you can set up the following types of
zones:
•
Delayed zone —
When the alarm system is armed and a
sensor in a delayed zone is activated, the system waits
for a preset period before sounding the alarm. This gives
you time to open an entry door, walk to a remote keypad
inside your home, and disarm the system before it
sounds the alarm.
•
Instant zone
— When the alarm system is armed and a
sensor in an instant zone is activated, the system
sounds the alarm immediately.
•
Panic/Tamper zone
— When a sensor in a panic/tamper
zone is activated (or when you press the panic button),
the alarm system sounds the alarm immediately, even if
the system is not armed.
Note:
As you plan your alarm system, determine the loca-
tions in your home or office you want to protect, then install
sensors to protect the zones you set up (see “Planning Your
Security System”).
PLANNING YOUR SECURITY SYSTEM
Your alarm system is designed to be the base on which you
build a security system for your home or office. Since no two
homes or offices are alike, this system allows you the flexi-
bility to design your security system to meet your individual
needs.
Proper planning will help you identify your security needs
and additional items you must install to meet those needs.
• Check your local and state regulations and ordinances
with respect to installing and using home security sys-
tems. Be sure to secure any required permits before you
continue.
• Become knowledgeable about the different types of sen-
sors and security devices you can use with your alarm
system. Learn how the devices work before you decide
to purchase and install them. This manual cannot
explain every possible sensing device and application.
Carefully read any instructions provided with the devices
you purchase.
Some devices and products mentioned in this manual are
not available from your local RadioShack store. We recom-
mend that you check stores that sell security equipment if
you plan to install security devices that are not available
from your local RadioShack store.
RadioShack is not responsible for defects and errors in other
manufacturers’ products, and assumes no liability for dam-
age to other products or to the alarm system if these prod-
ucts are connected to the alarm system.
Floor Plan
Before you start to install your alarm system, we recommend
that you make a security plan for your home. Even if you
only plan to install a minimal system, take the time to plan a
complete one. This will help you if you later decide to ex-
pand your security system.
Plan to hide the system’s wiring, not only for cosmetic rea-
sons, but to improve the security and effectiveness of the
system.
Also, plan to place outside alarm sirens and lights in high lo-
cations, out of reach under normal circumstances. This in-
creases the range of the devices and helps prevent
tampering.
1. Create a basic floor plan including the following informa-
tion about each room inside and all areas outside of
your home or office:
• Room name
• Interior and exterior walls
• Location of all openings (doors and windows)
• Location of each AC outlet and telephone jack
• Planned location of outside alarm sirens and/or lights
• Measurements of all rooms and interior/exterior walls
• Where you plan to install the alarm center
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