Lesson 1Powering and earthing: transformer sizing, battery capacity estimation, fused circuits and tamper circuitsDeals with power and grounding for steady alarm running. Explains transformer sizes, battery estimates, fused lines, earthing methods, 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 2Passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors: detection range, mounting height, pet-immunity considerations, placement to minimise nuisance triggersCovers PIR motion detector workings, coverage areas, and spec sheet details. Stresses mounting levels, angles, pet tolerance limits, and smart placing to cut false alarms from warmth and motion.
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 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 shapes, 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 practicesLooks at magnetic contact varieties and reed switch ops. Covers right spots on doors/windows, cable runs, end-of-line wiring, and sturdy 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/vibe sensors for doors, windows, balcony frames. Includes types, surfaces, sensitivity tweaks, cabling, and tests to spot forced entries sans 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, covering landline, GSM, GPRS, IP. Explains backups, line checks, power reqs, 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 7Siren/pa horn selection and placement: internal vs external, mounting height, decibel recommendations and tamper protectionFocuses on siren/PA horn picks, inside vs outside, sound levels. Covers dB ratings, heights, tamper guards, local rules for homes.
Indoor versus outdoor sounder choicesDecibel levels and tone characteristicsMounting height and direction of soundTamper switches and cable protectionCompliance with noise and timing rulesLesson 8Surface and recessed door/garage contacts: selection for external garage and internal kitchen doorCovers picking/installing surface/recessed contacts for doors/garages. Discusses weather ratings, cable shields, alignment, zoning for inside/out access.
Choosing contacts for external garagesContacts for internal interconnecting doorsEnvironmental and impact resistance needsMounting hardware and alignment checksZoning strategies for perimeter doorsLesson 9Keypads and touchpads: types, mounting locations, illuminated keys, accessibility for adults and older childrenDetails keypad/touchpad kinds, screens, user designs. Explains heights, lights, access for grown-ups, bigger kids, guests to arm/disarm/view status reliably.
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 10Control panel fundamentals: typical inputs/outputs, power and battery backup, zone wiring considerations (EOL resistors), enclosure placementIntroduces panel hardware, ins/outs. Covers power, battery, zone wiring w/EOL resistors, box spots, splitting user/tech areas.
Main board layout and terminal functionsAuxiliary power and current budgetingZone types and EOL resistor schemesEnclosure placement and cable entryService access and labeling standardsLesson 11Panic/auxiliary devices: wired/wireless panic buttons and 24-hour medical/panic zonesLooks at panic/aux gear for emergencies. Compares wired/wireless buttons, latch vs momentary, 24h medical/duress zones, placing to dodge 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 12Dual-technology and curtain/edge PIRs: when to use narrow/curtain sensors for windows and balcony coverageExplores dual-tech/curtain PIRs for edge defence. Covers detection, lens patterns, window/balcony spots, false alarm cuts, matching specs to sites.
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 movement
