How can I test my security system?
You Should Test Your System Each Month
Periodic testing of your alarm system is essential to ensure proper function. You should test your system each month. Be sure to notify the Monitoring Station prior to testing. The direct telephone number of the Monitoring Station is 1-800-633-2677.
How to Test Your System
There are two types of tests to perform: testing signals within your home and testing the signal from your home to the monitoring center. The procedures vary slightly depending on the manufacturer of the system. If you have one, refer to the owners’ manual to test according to your system type. If not, the following test procedures should apply to most alarm systems.
Testing the operation of all door and window contacts and motion detectors.
- Verify that the system is in “READY” mode. Do not arm it!
- Open each protected door or window, one at a time.
- Check that the keypad displays the door or window you are testing is open.
- Close the respective door or window. The keypad should display.
- Repeat this procedure for each sensor in the system.
Testing the signal transmission to the Monitoring Station.
- Call the Monitoring Station and ask that your system is placed in “TEST” mode. Be ready to give your monitoring account number and password to the operator.
- Arm your system as usual and set it off by opening a door or window, or by tripping a motion detector. Allow the alarm to sound for at least one minute.
- Turn off your system and reset it to “READY” mode.
- Verify that the signal was received by the Monitoring Station.
- Call the Monitoring Station to take system off test.
It is important to know, that placing your system on test with the Monitoring Station does not do anything to your system, it just informs the Monitoring Station to disregard the signals being sent from your panel.
If you have additional questions regarding testing your system call us toll-free at (800) 878-2202 or E-mail the Service Department.
Alarm System Beeping in PA
The first thing you must determine before you can stop the beeping is to find out from where it is coming. If the beeping is related to your security system, the keypad should be beeping also and there should be a trouble indicator displayed. If it is coming from the alarm system, you have to determine the manufacturer of the system. This can be done by looking for the name on the keypad or in the main panel of the system:
DSC:
If your panel is manufactured by DSC the keypad may have DSC, Maxsys or Power Series printed on it. If this is your system, press * and the #2. If you have an English read out keypad, it will display the system trouble. If it has an LED display, it will show a small number in the top left-hand corner. Pressing * and the #2 will stop the beeping, but it will come back if the trouble is not repaired.
View DSC Manual DSC Quick Reference
NAPCO:
If your panel is manufactured by NAPCO, the keypad will have Napco, Gemini or Magnum Alert printed on it. On the Napco and Gemini keypads, you can press the FUNCTION key until it says “display system trouble” then press the on/off key. On the Magnum Alert keypads, holding down the #9 key for a few seconds will stop the beeping. The beeping will return if the trouble is not repaired.
NAPCO RP2ASe2 NAPCO GEM RP8LCDs NAPCO XP-400 NAPCO GEM-RP8 NAPCO GEM-RP1CAe
VISONIC:
If your panel is manufactured by VISONIC, the keypad will have either Visonic or PowerMax printed on it. To determine trouble condition, press the red button in the top right-hand corner marked “Show/Ok”. Each time you press this button it will tell you everything that may be wrong. The beeping will return if the trouble is not repaired.
Visonic PowerMax Visonic PowerMaxPro Visonic PowerMaxPro Visonic PowerMaster
ADEMCO:
If your Panel is manufactured by ADEMCO, the keypad will have either Ademco or Vista printed on it. Press any key on the keypad and the beeping should stop. The beeping will return if the trouble is not repaired.
Ademco Vista 50P Ademco Vista 30PSE & 10SE Ademco 4120XMP Ademco Vista 40
Still Beeping?
If you have determined that the beeping is not the security system but some other device, check your smoke detectors, CO detectors, and any other battery powered device. If it is the security system and you cannot get the beeping to stop, contact us and we will help you rectify the problem. In rare occasions, it may be necessary to power your system down until repairs can be made. Click here HERE for power down procedures.
Visit Manuals Page for Power Down Procedures.
Powering Down Your System:
If for some reason there is a problem with your system and it will not respond or turn off, you may need to power it down until repairs can be made. There are two sources of power for the main panel in any security system. The first step is to disconnect the standby battery located inside the main panel. The main panel is not the keypad, but rather the panel where all the wires are going and are usually located in the basement. Open the panel door. If it is locked, look on top for a key. You will see a battery located within the panel. Pull one of the two wires off of the battery terminal. It doesn’t matter which one. It is not necessary to remove both wires. The next step is to disconnect the primary source of power. There is a low-voltage transformer plugged into an electrical outlet somewhere near the panel. This transformer may be black or white and may be secured to the outlet with a small screw, which you must remove before you can unplug the transformer.
Be careful removing this transformer since the outlet cover may come off with it and could short against the live wires on the outlet.
Once the battery and the transformer have been disconnected, your panel will be completely powered down. You will need to call for service to power the unit back up.
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