PSP Intrusion Detection Systems 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary difference between a 'point' intrusion detection sensor and a 'line' or 'volumetric' sensor?
- Point sensors are more expensive than volumetric sensors
- Point sensors protect a single specific location (door/window), while volumetric sensors cover an entire area or zone (Correct answer)
- Point sensors require a wired connection while volumetric sensors are wireless
- Point sensors detect motion only while volumetric sensors detect heat
Correct answer: Point sensors protect a single specific location (door/window), while volumetric sensors cover an entire area or zone
Point sensors (magnetic door contacts, glass break detectors) protect a single discrete location, while volumetric sensors (PIR, microwave) detect intrusion throughout an entire protected volume or zone.
Question 2: Which type of motion detector is MOST resistant to false alarms caused by HVAC air currents, heat vents, and changes in ambient temperature?
- Passive infrared (PIR) detector
- Microwave (Doppler) detector
- Dual-technology (PIR + microwave) detector (Correct answer)
- Ultrasonic detector
Correct answer: Dual-technology (PIR + microwave) detector
Dual-technology detectors require BOTH PIR and microwave to simultaneously trigger before generating an alarm, dramatically reducing false alarms caused by environmental factors that typically affect only one technology.
Question 3: In an alarm system, what does a 'supervisory circuit' monitor?
- The identity of personnel arming and disarming the system
- The integrity of wiring and sensors to detect tampering or sabotage (Correct answer)
- The battery backup level of the control panel
- The response time of the monitoring center
Correct answer: The integrity of wiring and sensors to detect tampering or sabotage
Supervisory circuits use end-of-line resistors or active monitoring to continuously verify sensor wiring integrity, generating an alarm if wires are cut, shorted, or tampered with.
Question 4: Under UL 2050 standards for central station alarm monitoring, what is the maximum response time for a central station to call the subscriber after receiving an intrusion alarm signal?
- 30 seconds
- 90 seconds (Correct answer)
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: 90 seconds
UL 2050 requires central stations to attempt to contact the subscriber within 90 seconds of receiving an intrusion alarm signal to verify the event.
Question 5: What is a 'shunt' in the context of an intrusion detection system, and when is it used?
- A bypass of a specific sensor zone to allow legitimate access without triggering an alarm (Correct answer)
- An emergency override that disables the entire alarm system
- A redundant communication path between the panel and monitoring center
- A metal shield protecting alarm wiring from electromagnetic interference
Correct answer: A bypass of a specific sensor zone to allow legitimate access without triggering an alarm
Shunting bypasses a specific sensor zone (such as a door used for deliveries) so that access can occur without triggering an alarm, while the rest of the system remains armed.
Question 6: Which IDS sensor is specifically designed to detect an attempt to break through walls, floors, or ceilings rather than entering through doors or windows?
- Glass break detector
- Passive infrared motion detector
- Seismic/vibration sensor (Correct answer)
- Photoelectric beam sensor
Correct answer: Seismic/vibration sensor
Seismic/vibration sensors detect the physical vibrations caused by drilling, sawing, or hammering through walls and structural elements, providing 'structural penetration' detection.
PSP Intrusion Detection Systems 1
What is the primary difference between a 'point' intrusion detection sensor and a 'line' or 'volumetric' sensor?