Explaining Common terminology associated with residential and commercial security systems:
Communicating Smoke Detector: This is a smoke detector that not only sounds an audible alarm but also communicates with the security system to provide notification to a central monitoring station or other contacts programmed into the system. It is also sometimes called a 4 wire smoke detector because it has 2 wires for power and 2 wires for communication.
Access Control: Refers to a system that secures certain areas (usually exterior doors) of a building and grants access to authorized users with devices such as proximity card readers or keypads.
Backup Battery: This is a battery that allows a security system to continue to function after losing AC power. All Nextec systems have a backup battery.
Communicating CO2 detector: This is a device that detects the poisonous gas carbon monoxide and communicates alarm conditions to the security system to provide notification to a central monitoring station or other contacts programmed into the system.
Cellular Backup: This refers to the ability of a security system to call out to a central monitoring station or other contacts programmed into the system via the local cellular phone network. These systems frequently just require a SIM card from your cellular provider.
Central Monitoring: A professional service from providers that receives alarms from subscribers and dispatches the correct authorities depending on the alarm condition.
Door/Window Contact: This is a security sensor that utilizes a magnet and a transmitter to determine whether a door or a window has been opened. Varieties include wired/wireless and recessed / surface mount.
Digital Communicator: This is the part of the security system that is responsible for communicating with a central monitoring station. It utilizes a standardized communications format to “speak” with the monitoring station to report what kind of alarm and what zone it has occurred in.
Duress Code: This is a security code chosen by a user that when entered alerts a central monitoring station that a person is in a duress situation without alerting the intruder that notification has been made. Similar to a panic button.
Entry Delay: This is a time delay on a security system that gives users certain amount of time to enter your home or business and disarm your security system. Nextec can customize the entry delay to your particular situation.
Exit Delay: This a time delays on a security system that gives users a certain amount of time to exit their home/business before all of the zones are armed. Nextec can customize the exit delay to meet your specific criteria.
Outside Alarm Siren: This is a weatherproof siren located on the outside of a home or building that can alert neighbors and emergency services.
Freeze Alarm: This feature of a security system that creates an alarm when a preset low temperature is reached (such as a furnace failure).
Glass Break Detector: This is a security sensor that is tuned to the specific frequency of breaking glass and sends a signal to an security system if detected
Hardwired Security System: This refers to a security system in which all sensors and interfaces such as keypads are connected via low voltage wiring.
Heat Sensor: This is a security sensor that detects either rapid rise of temperature or a preset high temperature and communicates with the security system.
Installer Code: This is a security code that allows the installer the ability to access the security systems settings menu but usually does not allow them to arm or disarm the system.
Installer Code: A four digit code used to enter a security system’s programming menu. User codes and master codes are usually restricted to normal system functions, while an installer code has no restrictions
Internet Alarm Monitoring: This is a type of security monitoring that uses an internet connection to send alarm communications to a central monitoring station.
Keyfob: is a keychain device (like a wireless remote) that can be used for arming and disarming your security system as well as other tasks such as controlling lighting.
Keypad: this is the interface usually used for operating a security system. Nextec usually installs security keypads in major entry points as well as convenient night arming locations such as a master bedroom.
Life Safety Systems: This refers to the functionality of a system to protect lives rather than just property. Panic buttons and Carbon Monoxide detectors would be examples of life safety systems.
Master Code: This is a security code that allows users full capabilities of controlling the security system including adding and deleting other user codes.
Monitored Security System: This refers to a security system that is set up to report alarm conditions to a central monitoring station where police, fire or medical services can be dispatched.
Motion Detector: This is a security sensor that detects motion using PIR (Passive Infrared Radar) and microwave detection technology. Variations include wired, wireless and pet immune motion detectors.
Panic Button: This refers to a button on a keypad or a standalone device that when pressed causes an alarm condition regardless of whether the security system is armed or not.
Pet Immune: This refers to a feature of certain motion detectors to ignore animals of a certain size to avoid false alarms. The motion detector basically lowers the sensitivity of the sensor to allow pets to wander around.
Security Controller: This refers to the panel which serves as the “brains” of the security system. All of the sensors and user interfaces are connected to the controller and it is responsible for managing the system as well as communicating alarms to monitoring services.
Temperature Sensor: This is a sensor that can detect the temperature in remote areas of the home or business and be used to create custom alarm conditions for the security system.
UL Listed Central Monitoring: This refers to central monitoring services that comply with Underwriters Laboratory strict standards. Nextec Systems offers professional UL listed security monitoring services.
Water Sensor: Is a sensor that consists of a probe and a transmitter that is capable of detecting the presence of water. It is usually located near the floor to detect flooding as soon as possible. Water sensors are often located in laundry rooms, utility rooms, basements and other areas where a broken pipe or flooding presents a threat
Wireless Security System: This is a security system in which sensors and keypad interfaces communicate with the system wirelessly (RF). This is a great application for retrofitting existing homes and businesses.
Zone: This refers a security sensor in a particular area of a home or business. Zones are used to identify where alarms occurred so that they can be communicated to a monitoring station or contacts programmed into the system.
Home Security Systems in Duluth, Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin
Commercial-Business Security Systems in Duluth Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin