CAT Alarm Technician System Installation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of glassbreak detector should be mounted on the wall or ceiling opposite the protected glass?
- Shock sensor
- Acoustic glassbreak detector (Correct answer)
- Vibration detector
- Capacitive sensor
Correct answer: Acoustic glassbreak detector
Acoustic glassbreak detectors listen for the sound frequencies produced when glass breaks and should be mounted facing the glass, typically on an opposing wall or ceiling.
Question 2: What is the maximum recommended wire run length for a standard 12V DC alarm siren using 18 AWG wire before voltage drop becomes problematic?
- 50 feet
- 100 feet (Correct answer)
- 500 feet
- 1,000 feet
Correct answer: 100 feet
At 18 AWG, a 100-foot run typically keeps voltage drop within acceptable limits for 12V alarm devices; longer runs may require heavier gauge wire.
Question 3: When installing a dual-tech motion detector, what TWO technologies must both trigger simultaneously before an alarm is generated?
- PIR and microwave (Correct answer)
- Ultrasonic and laser
- Infrared and acoustic
- Magnetic and vibration
Correct answer: PIR and microwave
Dual-tech detectors combine passive infrared (PIR) and microwave sensing, requiring both to detect motion simultaneously to reduce false alarms.
Question 4: A technician is programming a keypad entry delay. What does the entry delay allow the user to do?
- Test sensors before arming
- Enter the premises and disarm the system before an alarm sounds (Correct answer)
- Reset the panel after a power failure
- Bypass selected zones
Correct answer: Enter the premises and disarm the system before an alarm sounds
The entry delay gives an authorized user a timed window to reach the keypad and disarm the system after opening a designated entry door without triggering an alarm.
Question 5: Which NFPA standard is the primary reference for household fire warning equipment installation?
- NFPA 13
- NFPA 70
- NFPA 72 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 101
Correct answer: NFPA 72
NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, governs the installation, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm and signaling systems.
Question 6: When installing a control panel, how far should the panel typically be located from large electrical motors or transformers to avoid interference?
- At least 6 inches
- At least 3 feet (Correct answer)
- At least 10 feet
- At least 25 feet
Correct answer: At least 3 feet
Alarm control panels should be installed at least 3 feet from large electrical motors, transformers, or other high-EMI sources to prevent interference with electronics.
Question 7: What is the correct procedure for testing a newly installed smoke detector?
- Blow smoke from a candle into the detector
- Use canned smoke aerosol or a listed smoke detector tester (Correct answer)
- Wave a burning match near the detector
- Connect a multimeter to the detector terminals
Correct answer: Use canned smoke aerosol or a listed smoke detector tester
Listed canned smoke aerosol or dedicated smoke detector test products are the approved method for functionally testing smoke detectors during installation verification.
CAT Alarm Technician System Installation 3
Which type of glassbreak detector should be mounted on the wall or ceiling opposite the protected glass?