Lesson 1Passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors: detection range, mounting height, pet-immunity considerations, placement to minimize nuisance triggersCovers PIR motion detector workings, coverage areas, and spec sheet details. Focuses on mounting height, angle, pet tolerance, and placement to cut nuisance alarms from heat and movement in homes.
How PIR sensors detect infrared changesReading range and coverage specificationsMounting height and tilt for full coveragePet-immunity ratings and real limitsAvoiding drafts, heaters, and moving drapesLesson 2Powering and earthing: transformer sizing, battery capacity estimation, fused circuits and tamper circuitsDeals with power and earthing for steady alarm operation. Explains transformer size, battery calculations, fused circuits, grounding, and tamper checks for power and box access.
Calculating total system current drawTransformer and PSU sizing rulesBattery capacity and standby durationEarthing and surge protection methodsFuses, PTCs, and tamper loop wiringLesson 3Glass break detectors: acoustic vs shock sensors, mounting locations and coverage patterns for large living-room windowsExplains glass break tech and best uses. Compares sound and shock types, coverage, mounting spots, and testing for big lounge and bay windows.
Acoustic versus shock detector principlesCoverage radius and line-of-sight needsMounting on ceilings, walls, or framesDealing with curtains and soft furnishingsFunctional testing with glass break testersLesson 4Magnetic contacts: types, installation positions on doors and windows, reed switch wiring and mounting best practicesCovers magnetic contact types and reed switch operation. Explains right placement on doors and windows, cable runs, end-of-line wiring, and mounting for lasting alignment.
Surface, recessed, and heavy-duty contactsReed switch operation and polarity issuesBest positions on doors and window sashesCable routing and strain relief methodsEOL wiring and loop supervision optionsLesson 5Shock/vibration sensors for the balcony and secondary glazing: sensitivity settings and sitingDescribes shock and vibration sensors for doors, windows, and balcony frames. Covers types, mounting surfaces, sensitivity tweaks, cabling, and testing for forced entry without false alarms.
Piezo and mechanical shock sensor typesMounting on frames, glass, and masonrySetting sensitivity and test proceduresZoning strategies for multiple openingsAvoiding nuisance alarms from normal useLesson 6Communication modules: options (telephone line, GSM/GPRS, IP/ethernet), redundancy strategies and general programming conceptsReviews comms modules for alarm alerts, including landline, GSM, GPRS, and IP. Explains backups, path checks, power needs, and basic setup for reports and accounts.
PSTN, GSM, GPRS, and IP path overviewSingle, dual, and triple path strategiesSIM management and data plan concernsProgramming formats and account codesSupervision timers and fault reportingLesson 7Surface and recessed door/garage contacts: selection for external garage and internal kitchen doorCovers picking and fitting surface and recessed contacts for doors and garage. Discusses weather ratings, cable protection, alignment, and zoning for inside and outside points.
Choosing contacts for external garagesContacts for internal interconnecting doorsEnvironmental and impact resistance needsMounting hardware and alignment checksZoning strategies for perimeter doorsLesson 8Keypads and touchpads: types, mounting locations, illuminated keys, accessibility for adults and older childrenDetails keypad and touchpad types, displays, and user design. Explains mounting height, lighting, and access so adults, older kids, and guests can arm, disarm, and check status easily.
Fixed, remote, and wireless keypad typesDisplay, indicator, and buzzer functionsMounting height and wall location choicesBacklighting, key size, and tactile feedbackAccessibility for children and older adultsLesson 9Control panel fundamentals: typical inputs/outputs, power and battery backup, zone wiring considerations (EOL resistors), enclosure placementIntroduces control panel hardware, inputs, outputs. Covers power, battery backup, zone wiring with EOL resistors, box placement, and splitting user and tech access.
Main board layout and terminal functionsAuxiliary power and current budgetingZone types and EOL resistor schemesEnclosure placement and cable entryService access and labeling standardsLesson 10Panic/auxiliary devices: wired/wireless panic buttons and 24-hour medical/panic zonesLooks at panic and aux devices for emergencies. Compares wired/wireless buttons, latching vs momentary, 24-hour medical/duress zones, and placement to avoid accidents.
Types of panic and medical alert buttonsWired versus wireless panic device choices24-hour zone types and reporting formatsPlacement to avoid accidental activationsTesting and labeling for user confidenceLesson 11Dual-technology and curtain/edge PIRs: when to use narrow/curtain sensors for windows and balcony coverageExplores dual-tech and curtain PIRs for perimeter protection. Covers detection, lens patterns, siting for windows/balconies, false alarm cuts, and matching specs to site conditions.
Dual-technology PIR operating principlesCurtain lens patterns and coverage anglesSelecting sensors for windows and balconiesMounting heights and tilt for narrow beamsReducing false alarms from outdoor movementLesson 12Siren/pa horn selection and placement: internal vs external, mounting height, decibel recommendations and tamper protectionFocuses on siren and PA horn picking, inside vs outside, sound output. Covers decibels, height, tamper protection, and local rules for home installs.
Indoor versus outdoor sounder choicesDecibel levels and tone characteristicsMounting height and direction of soundTamper switches and cable protectionCompliance with noise and timing rules
