CAT Signal Transmission and Central Station Monitoring

Question 1

Which communication format is most widely used to transmit alarm signals from a control panel to a central monitoring station via telephone lines?

Accepted Answer

Contact ID

Answer

Contact ID is the industry-standard digital communication format adopted by virtually all alarm manufacturers for transmitting event data over POTS lines.

Question 2

What does the term 'polling' mean in the context of alarm signal transmission?

Accepted Answer

The central station periodically querying a communicator to verify it is online

Answer

Polling is the process by which the central station receiver periodically sends a check-in request to the field communicator to confirm the communication path is active.

Question 3

Why is a standard POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) telephone line considered a vulnerability in alarm signal transmission?

Accepted Answer

The line can be physically cut, defeating communication before an alarm is sent

Answer

A POTS line can be cut at an accessible point outside the premises, preventing the alarm signal from reaching the central station — a well-known defeat method.

Question 4

What is 'split reporting' in alarm signal transmission configuration?

Accepted Answer

Routing burglar alarm signals to one central station and fire alarm signals to a separate central station

Answer

Split reporting directs different alarm types (e.g., fire vs. burglary) to separate central stations, which is common when fire monitoring requires a UL-listed fire-specific central station.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a 'handshake' in the Contact ID digital communication protocol?

Accepted Answer

To confirm the central station receiver has acknowledged and accepted the transmitted message

Answer

The handshake is the central station receiver's acknowledgment tone sent back to the DACT, confirming the message was received correctly and ending the transmission.

(CAT) Certified Alarm Technician Practice Test

(CAT) Certified Alarm Technician Practice Test

CAT Signal Transmission and Central Station Monitoring