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Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Access Control:
- Doors, gates, etc. using electromagnetic strikes or magnetic locks (Mag-Locks). Access can be gained by authorized personnel using keypad entered codes, swipe cards, proximity cards or proximity tags. Access can be limited to specific individuals or groups and by specific times of day or days.
- Active-Beam Detectors:
- Pairs of receivers and transmitters that use invisible infra-red light beams to detect intrusion into a secure area.
- Addressable:
- Each device is programmable with its own ID code (address).
- Areas:
- Areas are groups of zones, typically used to allow specific people access to specific sections of a system while restricting access to other sections of the same system.
- Burglary Detection Devices:
- See: Passive Infra-Red (PIR) Motion Detection, Door / Window Switches, Glass Break Detectors, Microwave Motion Detection, Active-Beam Detectors, Stress Sensors, Proximity Sensors, Holdup Buttons, Panic Buttons / Pendants
- Detection Devices:
- See: Burglary Detection Devices, Fire Detection Devices, Environmental Detection Devices
- Environmental Detection:
- Is something too cold?
Is something too hot?
Is the basement flooding?
Is the hatching pond drying out?
Is the sprinkler system freezing?
Is the freezer thawing?
Is the gas line leaking?
Is the heater working?
Is it going to asphyxiate me with Carbon Monoxide?
If there is a sensor for it, we can connect it to your alarm system.
- Fire Detection Devices:
- See: Heat Detector, Smoke Detector, Pull Station
- Glass Break Detector:
- An electronic "ear" that listens for the sound of breaking glass and triggers the alarm system if "heard".
- Heat Detector:
- A device that uses one or more methods to sense heat above a certain temperature or sense a rapid rise in temperature.
- Holdup Buttons:
- Not always buttons, holdup switches take many, many forms. Please ask a sales representitave for details, as we wouldn't want to compromise the workings of these most clandestine of devices to just anyone.
- Keypad:
- User control unit for controling and / or reading the status of the alarm system.
- Microwave Motion Detection:
- Motion detection that uses low power microwaves to sense moving bodies.
- Panic Buttons / Pendants:
- Most of the alarm systems we carry have some form of panic activation. Some use combinations of keypad keys, others are more stealthy. We also carry wireless pendant transmitters for those occasions when you are not quite close enough to trigger wired panic devices.
- Passive Infra-Red (PIR) Motion Detection:
- Senses body heat and motion of a warm body to determine that someone is moving across a secure area.
- Proximity Card:
- A card that signals it's ID code wirelessly when triggered by a signal from the reader.
- Proximity Sensor:
- A device that senses that someone has come too close to a protected object, typically a metal object like a safe. You may have seen this used in recent car alarms.
- Proximity Tag:
- A tag that signals it's ID code wirelessly when triggered by a signal from the reader.
- Pull Station:
- OK... not so much a "detector" as an "initiating device" (for all those alarm guys reading this). A pull station is basically a handle with a switch behind it. When you pull it, it triggers the fire alarm.
- Smoke Detector:
- Capitol Alarm typically uses photo-electric smoke detectors. These detectors "see" smoke by way of an internal light beam and light sensor. The beam passes through an air gap into which outside air can flow. Normally the sensor sees the full brightness of the beam. If smoke is present, (or dust or paint, etc.), the more particles in the air, the dimmer the beam gets. At some point the detector can see so little of the beam it decides that where there's that much smoke, there is probably a fire and tells you and / or your alarm panel about it.
- Stress Sensors:
- Electronic sensor / processor units that when mounted to supporting beams beneath the floor can sense the pressure of a man-sized body moving across the floor.
- Swipe Cards:
- Cards that must be physically swiped (run through) a reader. Approximately the size of a typical credit card.
- Switch:
- Magnetic or mechanical switch that triggers the alarm system when a door, window, roof hatch, gun cabinet, safe, etc. is opened.
- User Code:
- A user code is 4 to 6 digits long depending upon the alarm panel's capabilities. It is used to identify the user requesting access to the system to arm, disarm, access doors, etc.
- X-10:
- Home automation specification using plug-in modules requiring no extra wiring. Allows the alarm system to control lights, appliances, etc. through the existing electrical wiring in a home or business.
- Zone:
- Zones are areas of detection. Typically Capitol Alarm attaches each detection device to its own zone however, in some cases multiple detection devices can be connected to one zone, usually when cost is an issue. Attaching individual detection devices to their own zone allows for easier location of the triggered device, as well as easier determination of faulty devices in case maintenance is needed.
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