Security glossary: Alarm

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Active intrusion protection Even the first break-in attempt is reported. This is made possible by alarm components which do not only combine state-of-the-art wireless technology with effective mechanical break-in protection (mechatronic detectors), but at the same time monitor the prying open of doors and windows with the help of a magnetic field sensor system.
   
Alarm panel The central switching station for the whole alarm system, which processes all the information, forwards it and responds as required.
   
Alarm detector Device that sends a message to the alarm panel in case of a specific event (e.g. movement, glass breakage, vibration).
   
Alarm device Device which sends an alarm message acoustically (siren) or optically (strobe light). Diallers are also alarm devices.
   
Alarm system Customary term for burglar alarm system or danger warning system.
   
Alarm type The following types of alarm are possible in an alarm system: internal alarm, local alarm, external alarm, silent alarm.
   
Alarm zone Each zone is monitored by a detector (for wireless) or a detector group (for wire) and can be programmed separately.
   
Arming components Devices with which the alarm centre can be activated/deactivated (e.g. remote control, key-operated switch, operating module).
   
Arming, disarming "Arming" of alarm panel – when the burglar alarm system is triggered (e.g. door open) it issues an alarm; "disarming" of an alarm panel – does not issue an alarm when the burglar alarm system is triggered; danger warning systems are programmed differently: if, e.g. smoke is detected, an alarm should still be issued even when the alarm panel is disabled.  
   
AWAG (speech dialler) Automatic dialler and speech unit: alarm device used for transmitting voice messages.
   
AWUG (speech dialler) Automatic dialler and transmission unit: alarm device for transmitting digital protocols (for monitoring stations).
   
Bidirectional
2-way wireless (2WAY)      
Unidirectional: Arming components (e.g. remote control) and operating modules only send commands to the alarm panel. Bidirectional: these components can also receive feedback from the alarm panel and evaluate it themselves (e.g. through LEDs etc.).
   
Burglar alarm system,
break-in alarm system
Alarm system, which detects a break-in and issues an alarm (known colloquially as alarm system).
   
Certification Test certificate from independent test institute which certifies a high degree of quality and security for alarm systems (Relevant in Germany: certification in accordance with accident prevention regulations, insurance companies and VdS damage prevention).
   
Chip key Electronic "key" for fast access to buildings without having to enter a code.
   
Combination transducer Combined transducer, e.g. siren (acoustic signal) + strobe light (optical signal).
   
Communication extensions
(Secvest 2WAY)         
For silent alarm: for sending speech/text messages or digital protocols PSTN, ISDN (ISDN module), mobile telephone system (GSM module) and over IP network (Ethernet module).
   
Components See System components
   
Contact detector The detector recognises when a window, door, window blind, garage door etc. is opened.
   
Danger detection system, danger warning system Alarm system which detects break-ins and other hazards/emergencies and then issues an alarm.
   
Display Display on alarm panel for operating and programming the panel.
   
Double end of line (DEOL) Wiring variant for wire alarm systems; wire-connected zones in Secvest 2WAY/Privest are also wired in this way.
   
Duplex antenna technology Combination of two antennas to rule out any dead spots. A power analysing switch detects which of the two antennas has the better reception at any given time. Duplex antennas make installation much easier.
   
External alarm
(alarm type)
Alarm to which all transducers respond (inside + outside). The event is also transmitted to a monitoring station.
   
External siren Transducer for outside area, generally configured as a combination transducer (siren + strobe light).
   
Flood detector For detection of damage caused by water/flooding, consisting of a basic device and a water detector (always mount sensors at a position at which damage caused by flooding would occur first).
   
Glass breakage detector These detectors respond to breaking glass. A differentiation is made between passive, active and acoustic glass breakage detectors.
   
Individual identification of detectors Accurate determination as to which detector has been triggered is possible (see also Wireless alarm zone).
   
Interior protection The interior area of the building is protected here, in particular those areas that a burglar would, in all likelihood, have to pass through; generally motion detectors and photoelectric barriers are used here.
   
Installation Mounting of panel and components including initial start-up.
   
Internal alarm            The alarm is only sounded in the building, the external sirens are not activated.
   
Internal siren Transducer for inside area, generally a purely acoustic transducer (in addition external siren)
   
Intuitive operation Easy operation of device through menu, which follows user expectations/mentality.
   
Local alarm
(alarm type)
For this alarm the transducers in the internal and external areas are sounded (in Germany, the outside acoustic alarm (siren) must be muted after 3 minutes, no limit is placed on how long the optical alarm (strobe light) can run).
   
Mechatronics Security components of ABUS wireless alarm systems combining robust mechanical security with state-of-the-art wireless alarm technology
   
Medical emergency Medical emergency involving people for whom help can be procured by means of an alarm being issued.
   
Module (Secvest 2WAY) See Wireless info module, Wireless display module, Wireless universal module.
   
Motion detector Detector which recognises people on account of moving heat (PIR), ultrasonics (US) or microwaves/"radar" (MW).
   
Motion detector, pet immune Motion detector that ignores animals up to a specific maximum weight (e.g. 30 kg) (otherwise: e.g. false alarm caused by dog).
   
Perimeter protection All access to the property is monitored here; this includes front doors, terrace doors, cellar doors, skylights and all windows; generally used here are contact sensors, glass breakage detectors and the wireless window lock – presence in the building is possible at any time, even when the alarm is armed.
   
Perimeter surveillance Complete, large-area outdoor protection of periphery or near field, e.g. through photoelectric barriers and motion detectors on the site and/or surveillance cameras with intelligent motion detection.
   
Product training Training course on a specific product with know-how for answering detailed end user queries.
   
Programming Detailed settings for alarm panel to match user requirements and wishes (e.g. specify zones/subareas).
   
Protected outdoor area Area outside the building which is protected against heavy rain (e.g. sheltered entrance area, terrace etc.)
   
Radio signal coding Maintains a secure, non-manipulable transmission of signals between the alarm centre and their components.
   
Relay outputs Switching outputs, for external consumers (light control, electrical window blinds, additional transducers etc.)
   
Remote access/remote maintenance Maintenance/programming of alarm panel using PC at home.
   
Sabotage, sabotage protection, tamper protection To ensure that the alarm panel and its components cannot be manipulated when it is disarmed, each component is monitored for sabotage. When detectors are opened or cables detached, an alarm is ALWAYS sounded. The components are generally protected through a cover contact (alarm is signalled when a detector is opened) and an anti-removal wall contact.
   
Security frequency range
(433 MHz, 868 MHz)
These frequency ranges are issued by the Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Postal Services (RegTP) for the security area – on these frequencies any interference to the radio signals by cordless headphones, cell phones, garage door openers etc. is practically ruled out.
   
Seismic sensor See Vibration detector
   
Silent alarm
(alarm type)
For this type of alarm the transducer does not make any sound (in indoor and outdoor areas everything remains quiet); a monitoring station is silently notified (burglars should not be driven away, but rather caught, culprits should not be provoked into action etc.).
   
Smoke detectors
(Fire alarm)
Optical smoke detectors save lives because they respond to smoke particles in the air (generally toxic gases): Thermal detectors/thermal differential detectors respond to a maximum temperature (e.g. 65°) or signal a sudden rise in temperature.
   
Status Status of alarm panel: activated ("armed"), deactivated ("disarmed").
   
Status feedback Feedback from alarm panel to a module (arming components, information module etc.) about current status.
   
Status query  Query sent to alarm panel concerning system status (e.g. by pushing a button on radio remote control).
   
Status light  Status display using light as to whether the panel is activated or deactivated.
   
Subareas   An alarm system can be split up into subareas, with each one functioning like a separate alarm system.
Each subarea (e.g. flat, workshop) can be separately operated and programmed, and contain any number of zones/detectors.
   
Switch to armed, switch to disarmed Activate alarm panel/deactivate alarm panel.
   
Tamper protection  See Sabotage
   
Technical damage For example, damage caused by water, escaping gases etc. (protection through special danger warning system)
   
Telephone dialler Device with which the alarm messages from a panel are sent via telephone line (see AWAG, AWUG). Telephone diallers can be integrated into alarm systems already or be added as additional components.
   
Transducer Alarm device which issues the panel when the corresponding command is given (siren, strobe light etc.).
   
User Different users of the alarm system (e.g. owners, subtenants) can be assigned separate rights and user codes.
   
User interface Electronic guided support for operating alarm panel.
   
Vibration detector These detectors react to vibrations generated during a break-in.
   
Wire alarm system Alarm system with detectors that are connected to the panel by wire (practical in new buildings or large buildings).
   
Wire detector,
wired detector
Alarm detector and danger warning system which is connected to the alarm panel by wire.
   
Wire zone,
wire alarm zone
Alarm zone which is monitored by one or more wire detectors (generally through series connection).
   
Wireless alarm system Alarm system with detectors that are connected to the panel (fast, easy installation, high flexibility) by radio (wireless).
   
Wireless alarm zone, wireless zone Zone of a wireless alarm panel in which each individual wireless detector is identified and monitored
   
Wireless control unit For comfortable arming/disarming of the panel, e.g. in second room (in entry/exit area etc.); furthermore, with the bidirectional Secvest 2WAY wireless control unit the status can also be queried.
   
Wireless detector Alarm detector and danger warning system which is connected to the alarm panel by radio (wireless
   
Wireless display module
(Secvest 2WAY, FTS 96 E)
Displays which contact sensor (door, window etc.) is open or closed and issues an alarm when a window is open; including in stand-alone mode (FTS-96 E without alarm system).
   
Wireless info module
(Secvest 2WAY)
For mounting in entrance areas or additional rooms: Indicates the most important alarm panel procedures and states through LED display and signals tones.
   
Wireless key switch For comfortable arming/disarming of panel without entering code (with key).
   
Wireless range The maximum distance between the alarm panel and wireless detector varies to match the building conditions.
   
Wireless remote control For comfortable, location independent arming/disarming of the panel, status query, emergency alarm etc.
   
Wireless universal module
(Secvest 2WAY)
Offers 3 additional functions in combination with Secvest 2WAY. Repeater function: doubling of wireless range. Wireless output module: actuation of outputs (for light, window blinds etc.). Sender/receiver module: outputs and incorporation of wireless detectors possible. Can be used as "Siren module": "wireless reception module", "Siren sender/receiver module" with wireless alarm only.
   
Wireless window lock
FTS 96E
Combination of FTS 96 mechanical window lock and an electronic alarm detector (in combination with Secvest 2WAY).
   
Zone  Alternative term for line. Describes a closed electric circuit to which the alarm or sabotage contacts are connected and which are connected with the burglar alarm panel.

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