Practice Test Geeks(CAT) Certified Alarm Technician Level I Practice Test
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CAT Burglar Alarm Components & Detection Flashcards

6 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 6 CAT Burglar Alarm Components & Detection flashcards as text

  1. A passive infrared (PIR) motion detector works by sensing:

    Answer: Changes in infrared energy emitted by warm moving bodies

    PIR detectors sense changes in infrared radiation emitted by warm bodies moving through the detection zone, triggering an alarm when a significant change is detected.

  2. What type of sensor uses a magnet and a reed switch mounted on a door or window frame?

    Answer: Magnetic contact sensor

    Magnetic contact sensors consist of a magnet on the movable door/window and a reed switch on the fixed frame; when the gap widens, the circuit opens and triggers an alarm.

  3. Up to what distance are glass break acoustic detectors typically rated to detect glass breakage?

    Answer: 25 feet

    Glass break detectors are typically rated to detect glass breaking up to 25 feet away, though exact range depends on manufacturer specifications and room acoustics.

  4. What are the TWO primary purposes of entry and exit delay settings in a burglar alarm system?

    Answer: Allow authorized users time to enter/exit without triggering an alarm and reduce false alarms

    Entry/exit delays allow authorized users to arm/disarm the system within a preset time window and simultaneously reduce false alarms caused by accidental triggers.

  5. A dual-technology motion detector reduces false alarms by combining which two sensing technologies?

    Answer: PIR and microwave

    Dual-technology detectors combine PIR and microwave sensing, requiring both technologies to detect motion simultaneously before triggering an alarm, greatly reducing false alarms.

  6. What does a 'normally closed' (NC) alarm contact mean?

    Answer: The circuit is complete (closed) when the device is undisturbed

    A normally closed contact maintains a complete circuit in its resting state; disturbing the device (such as opening a door) breaks the circuit and signals an alarm condition.