If the beeping / chirping is coming from the keypad, there will be a
steady tone indicating some kind of trouble condition (e.g., AC power
failure, battery trouble, phone line trouble, keypad locked up, etc.).
These conditions can vary depending upon whether it is a residential or
commercial system, and how the system is programmed. You can usually
silence this tone by entering your [4 digit code] + [1], but it may
re-occur if the trouble condition still exists. Generally pressing the *
key on the keypad will give you more information about the existing
trouble condition.
If the beeping/chirping is coming from a sensor, there are currently
only two sensors we install that will chirp:
Wireless smoke detector indicating low battery
Carbon monoxide sensor that has reached its end-of-life, usually 5
to 7 years
NOTE – the majority of beeps/chirps that occur are NOT related to the
alarm system equipment. They are usually related to:
Battery operated smoke detector that is separate from the alarm system
Smoke detector which was installed by the electrician, separate
from the alarm, that has a backup battery that needs replaced
Carbon monoxide detector, separate from the alarm, that has either
reached its end-of-life, or it’s backup battery needs replaced
Cordless phone or cell phone that needs charged
There are many others, but these are the most common. Usually taking the
suspected device out of the room or into the garage will change the
sound enough to indicate you have located the culprit.
There are several different styles of wireless sensors, including door,
window, motion, smoke detection, etc. each having their own battery
requirements. Please refer to the manufacturers instruction first. Open
the sensor, get proper replacement battery, replace, and put sensor back together. When completed, go to keypad and enter your [4 digit code] +
[1] two times.
NOTE – sensors have a tamper switch that detects if the cover is in
place. If the zone shows faulted after working on it, it may be that the
cover is not seated properly to make contact with the tamper switch.
Also, some sensors have a spring that protrudes from the tamper switch,
which can “fly off” when removing the sensor cover.
*Common trouble codes related to battery issues with a sensor: LO
BAT + zone descriptor or BAT with zone #
*Other trouble codes related: CHECK + zone # – Indicates that a
wireless zone is either not communicating properly (possible dead
battery) or that the devices cover has been removed.
Even though panel batteries are rechargeable, they have an average
lifespan of 3 to 5 years. To replace the battery, you must get a
replacement battery (MOST panels use a 12 volt, 7AH (amp/hour), sealed,
lead acid, battery), disconnect the wires from the old battery, and
connect the panel to the new battery (observing polarity +/-).
The low battery signal may not go away immediately. Panels only check
the status of the battery occasionally. Also, most rechargeable
batteries aren’t fully charged when purchased, so it may take the panel
a few hours to charge the battery to capacity. If the low battery
indication has not cleared in 24-48 hours:
It could be a bad battery
The panel charging circuit is not working properly, or;
The system may be locked up and need to be powered down and then
back up.
Carnation Security Systems Inc.proudly follows a process of battery
recycling. Return your old battery to our office and we will dispose of
it for you. Batteries are considered toxic waste and must be disposed of
properly.
*Common trouble codes related to panel/system battery issues:
SYSTEM LO BAT or BAT with no zone #
Enter your [4 digit code] + [1]. The siren will turn off but, in most
cases, the system is still armed. Enter your [4 digit code] + [1] again.
Your system should now be in the “Ready” state. If this was an alarm
caused by a smoke or heat detector, you will need to enter your [4 digit
code] + [1] a third time. Call the Monitoring station and notify them of
the false alarm if they have not called you already to prevent emergency
services from being needlessly dispatched.
If a smoke detector goes off multiple times for no reason, the majority
of the time the reason is due to it becoming dusty or dirty inside. A
smoke detector is looking for particles in the air, and cannot
distinguish between a smoke particle, a dust particle, a steam/moisture
particle, or anything else that would obscure what is normally clear
air. To address this issue, clean the smoke detector by vacuuming it or
gently blowing air through it using a can of compressed air.
When your alarm system sounds – a signal is instantly transmitted
to the central station. Central station monitoring team will then know
which area of your premises has been violated.
Central station verifies the alarm – Central Station calls your
residence to verify if the alarm was accidentally tripped. We have your
password on file so that you can identify yourself in the event of a
false alarm.
Central station dispatches the concerned authorities – If there is
no answer at the premises or the person who answers the phone does not
know the password our central station monitoring team will then dispatch
the concerned authorities. (Police, Fire Service, or Medical)
Central station will call the emergency responders – After the
authorities have been dispatched, we then contact people listed on your
“emergency call list” and inform them of the alarm.
Central station will call the emergency responders – After the
authorities have been dispatched, we then contact people listed on your
“emergency call list” and inform them of the alarm.
The keypads communicate to the main control panel like a computer
network. If that communication gets interrupted or distorted from a
power surge, power outage, interference from other electrical equipment,
etc., the keypad may become unresponsive and need restarted. Follow
these steps to restart:
Most keypads have slots on the bottom where you can insert a flat
blade screwdriver and gently twist to release the keypad from its base
Unhook the red or black wire from the keypad. Be sure not to let
the wires go and get lost in the wall.
Leave the keypad powered down for a minimum of 30 seconds
Reattach the red or black wire to the keypad and remount the keypad
If the keypad is still unresponsive, either:
the main control panel needs rebooted
there is a wiring problem, or;
there is a problem with the keypad.
Contact our Service department to schedule an appointment to resolve
these issues.
With a dial up panel (which uses a phone line to communicate), this is
usually caused by:
Disconnection of the phone service or at least the line the panel
was using
A change in phone service providers where they either:
Did not reconnect us correctly
When using certain providers, such as AT&T Uverse, Vonage,
Windstream, etc, the alarm may not be able to communicate properly over
the phone service that is provided.
*Common trouble codes related to phone line issues: Comm Failure,
FC, Telco Fault, Check 94
If your panel has internet based communications (Vista21IP for example)
Check that your internet is connected and working.
If your panel has cellular based communications (LTEM-XA/LTEM-XV, Alula
BAT-LTE/BAT-CONNECT for example)
*Common trouble codes related to internet/cellular issues: Long Rng
Trbl, bF
Contact our Service department to schedule an appointment to resolve
these issues.
Yes and no. As long as your carrier has designed their VoIP service to
work with digital transmission (alarm, fax, etc.) then communication to
the central station is possible though reliable communication is rarely
achieved. Examples of supported VoIP carriers are Verizon, Comcast,
AT&T, Cox, Time Warner. However providers such as Magic Jack and NetTalk
do not support reliable digital communication. We highly recommend a
communication path over broadband Internet (IP) or cellular instead.
These fast links also can support Interactive Services (remote control)
depending on communicator.
Many issues can arise with POTS (Phone Line) and Internet (IP)
communications, cut/downed lines happen frequently. It is rare for
cellular communicators to lose communication with the network so if you
really want the highest level of protection cellular is the way to go.
Continuous power supply cannot be taken for granted. With every security
alarm system we install, we include a backup power supply that will keep
your alarm system running during those temporary blackouts. Your home
will stay protected.
Alarms use a transformer for power – most are plug-in, some are
hardwired. The most common reasons for AC failure, assuming the power is
on in the rest of the building, are:
Transformer is blown due to power surge
Circuit breaker that controls the outlet needs reset
Outlet is a GFCI or GFI that has the circuit breaker built into the
outlet itself, and needs reset
Transformer become unplugged from the outlet.
*Common trouble codes related to AC power: AC LOSS, NO AC
Our monitoring fees include standard burglary, fire, and medical
signals. We also monitor trouble signals such as AC loss and low battery
(system and/or wireless transmitters). There are optional services that
includes enhanced features such as opening and closing reporting
(usually for business customers), weekly or daily communications test,
interactive services such as remote arm and disarm, and finally video
services.
A verbal password is required so that we may verify your identity during
any interaction regarding your account. It is meant for providing you
with the highest level of security and protecting the confidentiality of
your information. We will never give out information about your account
unless you provide us with the verbal password. No sense having an
intruder answer your telephone and say they are you and to disregard the
alarm triggered by mistake! This is why a password is needed.
We can monitor any type of sensor connected to your alarm system. This
includes sensors such as panic, heat, carbon monoxide, flood, and
temperature. Keep in mind we can only monitor sensors programmed into
your security system.
In some cases, yes! We can use the existing security alarm system which
is installed in your premises, provided the alarm system is compatible.
What is the difference between a wired security alarm system and a
wireless security alarm system?
There are several differences between wireless and wired security alarm
protection systems. The base difference is that: wireless security alarm
protection systems are free from all forms of wiring except Wi-Fi
cameras they still need a power supply.
To test your system, simply call our Central Station and ask to place
your system in test for a specified amount of time. Arm your system like
you normally would, and then walk in front of any motions and open any
doors or windows. Your alarm should sound and go into alarm, but won’t
send the police if you have it in test with the Central Station.
We recommend testing your system 1 to 2 times a year as long as
everything seems to be working normally.
This generally means you may have left a door or window open that has a
sensor on it. Please try closing your doors and windows that have
sensors on them and this should correct the problem. If these error
messages continue to display, please contact us and we will be happy to
assist you.
You may need to clear the alarm memory. To do this simply put in your [4
digit code] + [1] to clear. The keypad should now show “Ready to Arm”.
To arm:
[4 digit code] + [2] = Away (You are leaving the home) all
sensors will be active.
[4 digit code] + [3] = Stay (You are not leaving the home) only
perimeter (doors and windows) sensors will be active.
To disarm:
[4 digit code] + [1] = Disarm
Actually, very little. The backup battery typically last 4-5 years and
the other devices can last 10 years (or more) under normal use.
