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August 22, 2011 Equipment By John Truenow

Keypads: an essential part of a home security system

It’s amazing how alarm systems have changed over the years. When alarm systems originally came on the market, the keypad or “user interface” was quite large and elementary. These keypads were very basic with few customization options. [...]

It’s amazing how alarm systems have changed over the years. When alarm systems originally came on the market, the keypad or “user interface” was quite large and elementary. These keypads were very basic with few customization options.

Alarm systems in general were also very basic; you could only command the system to perform very basic functions - such as arming the perimeter of the property - with very little variation. A typical system had few choices for the customer because the control panel didn’t have the technology to differentiate devices. As alarm systems advanced, so did their keypads, letting customers use their alarm systems for more and more purposes.

Keypads on the market today cater to a wide variety of users and what they want from their alarm systems. Someone may want a very basic type of keypad or they may prefer a touch-screen keypad.

The keypad is one of the most important parts of an alarm system, as it is one of the most popular ways to interface with the control panel and the functionality of the system. In recent years, the introduction of interactive services has further changed the look and feel of the keypad. Smart phones (Blackberry, iPhone or Droid), PCs and iPads now have the ability to act as a keypad, giving users the ability to monitor and control aspects of their security system remotely. This interactivity is proving to be a fast-growing option for customers. The availability of interactive services depends on the type of alarm panel you have and the data coverage of your cell service.

There are some keypad options that many users don’t realize are available to them, and in many cases, it’s possible to upgrade your keypad. One thing to remember is that many systems are customizable even after they have been in use for some time. Give your service provider a call to see what could be updated and/or changed to make your alarm/interactive system more user-friendly.

And as always – regardless of what kind of keypad you have – you should test your alarm system on a monthly basis for proper operation. Contact the dispatch center at 763.477.3664 and have them place your system on test mode. Then check each sensor to ensure it’s working properly.