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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