CAT CAT Alarm System Maintenance and Testing

Question 1

How often should a residential security alarm system undergo a full walk-test according to industry best practices?

Accepted Answer

Every 6 months

Answer

Every 5 years

Answer

Only after installation

Answer

Every 10 years

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of performing a battery load test on a backup power supply?

Accepted Answer

To verify the battery can sustain the system under actual load conditions

Answer

To check the battery's physical dimensions

Answer

To confirm the battery voltage at rest

Answer

To reset the control panel clock

Question 3

During a periodic maintenance visit, a technician finds that a door contact sensor fails to trigger the alarm. What is the FIRST step?

Accepted Answer

Inspect the magnet alignment and gap distance

Answer

Replace the entire sensor immediately

Answer

Reprogram the control panel zone

Answer

Notify the monitoring center

Question 4

Which tool is most appropriate for verifying that a passive infrared (PIR) motion detector is properly detecting motion across its coverage area?

Accepted Answer

Walk-test mode on the control panel with technician present

Answer

Multimeter set to AC voltage

Answer

Oscilloscope on the sensor output wire

Answer

IR thermometer aimed at the lens

Question 5

What does a high resistance reading on a normally closed (NC) detection loop indicate during a maintenance check?

Accepted Answer

A loose wire connection or corroded terminal

Answer

Normal loop integrity

Answer

A short circuit in the wiring

Answer

The sensor has been bypassed in software

Question 6

A siren fails to sound during a maintenance test but the control panel logs the alarm event. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Blown fuse or broken wire on the siren output circuit

Answer

Incorrect zone programming

Answer

Faulty keypad

Answer

Dead backup battery