Alarm Technician System Installation Flashcards
7 cards from real CAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Alarm Technician System Installation flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a Bell/Siren Supervision circuit on an alarm panel?
Answer: To detect if the siren wiring is cut or shorted before an alarm
Bell/siren supervision continuously monitors the output wiring for open or short circuits so the panel can report a fault if the siren is tampered with or disconnected.
A technician is installing a recessed door contact on a steel door with a steel frame. Which type of contact is most appropriate?
Answer: Wide-gap or high-security contact rated for steel doors
Steel doors and frames distort magnetic fields, so a wide-gap or bi-directional contact designed to tolerate the reduced magnetic permeability of metal is required.
What does NFPA 72 require regarding the spacing of smoke detectors on a smooth ceiling?
Answer: Detectors must cover no more than 900 square feet each
NFPA 72 specifies that on smooth ceilings, each smoke detector covers up to 900 square feet, with a maximum spacing of 30 feet between detectors.
When connecting a panel to a digital communicator for central station monitoring, which port or interface is used for IP-based communication?
Answer: Ethernet port or cellular module
Modern alarm communicators use an Ethernet port or a cellular radio module to send signals to the central station over IP or cellular networks.
A technician is installing a keypad. What is the purpose of programming a 'duress code'?
Answer: To disarm the system while silently signaling the central station of a forced disarm
A duress code disarms the system normally but simultaneously sends a silent duress signal to the monitoring center indicating the user is being coerced.
Which of the following best describes a 'hardwired zone expander' module?
Answer: A device that adds additional hardwired zone inputs to the panel
A hardwired zone expander connects to the panel's keypad bus or serial port and provides additional input zones beyond the panel's native zone capacity.
What is the minimum recommended backup battery capacity (in amp-hours) for a residential alarm system to meet a 24-hour standby requirement?
Answer: 4 Ah
A 4 Ah sealed lead-acid battery is the most common minimum for residential systems to provide 24 hours of standby power followed by 5 minutes of alarm output.