Categories

False alarms and system hiccups can be exasperating, and even worse, might prevent your home’s security from working the way it should. Fortunately, most issues, from false alarms to dead batteries, are straightforward to remedy. Take a look at our tips for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Plano. We’ll help you keep your household protected and your system operating as it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Plano

One sensible way to troubleshoot your property’s security is to test it yourself! The latest systems have a test mode so you don’t by accident initiate an emergency response. After moving to test mode, take these steps:

• Activate your system as you normally would when heading out.
• Open a window or door protected by a contact sensor, or try to set off something else. Shut the window or door so it doesn’t trip the alarm as you leave test mode.
• Permit the alarm to resonate for 60 seconds to make sure a transmission is dispatched to the security provider and an entry is made in the alarm system log.
• Continue testing sensors as needed
• Inspect the alarm’s activity log to validate proper function.

No need to worry, monitoring agents will know that your system is being tested. Just make sure to turn test mode off when done. It’s wise to test once a month or whenever you make changes to your home’s phone or internet provider.

Check The Placement And State Of Motion Sensors

Although an essential element of your alarm system, motion detectors are notorious for false alarms. Do your part to prevent them with some simple troubleshooting.

• Do a visual inspection. Is there something that could move within the sensor’s detection zone, like a curtain taken by a breeze?
• Is the sensor clean? Cobwebs, dirt, and grime can lead to malfunctions. Ensure the face is clean.
• Does the motion detector come with pet immunity you can activate? Some sensors can be configured to ignore pets weighing up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery last replaced? A low battery may impact performance or lead to false alarms.
• Is a heat source affecting the sensor? Excessive heat from direct sun or a fireplace can cause an alarm.

Keep Batteries Ready And Look Out For Low Battery Warnings

One of the great advantages of modern home security systems is that they’ll let you know when batteries are running low. If your system has a control panel or smartphone app, you’ll typically find notifications there. Depending on your system, you could detect an occasional beep when batteries are getting low. 

Motion sensors, contact sensors, smoke detectors, and other wireless devices have batteries that will have to be replaced every year or two. It’s wise to keep batteries on hand and create a replacement schedule. Top systems also have a backup battery for the central control panel. This backup battery keeps your system functioning if you have a power outage and should recharge once the electricity is working again. If it doesn’t, you should replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Simple With ADT Home Security In Plano 

As the top name in home security, ADT creates systems that offer unsurpassed protection and functionality. Switching to test mode is straightforward through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always get alerts when a sensor battery is running low. Get in touch with Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to learn more and design a system perfect for your Plano home. Place a call to (972) 357-1049 or complete our form today!