One common remark that has been made to security professionals over and over again is “should I be testing my alarm system?” The answer to the question is yes – definitely. Testing your alarm system on a regular basis is the only sure way to know that the system is working.
We’re also asked quite frequently how to test an alarm system. Testing an alarm system can seem quite daunting as it’s made up of many devices – but don’t get too overwhelmed The devices that make up these systems are relatively simple.
Steps to test your system:
- Begin by calling your monitoring center and telling them to place your system on “test” mode.
- Then, arm your alarm system just like you would normally do when you leave your property. After arming the system, wait for the delay time to expire.
- Go around your house and open and close doors or windows that are on the system. If the system is working correctly, this will cause the alarm to activate. While the system is armed, as you’re walking around the house, your movements will also trigger the motion detectors if there are any on the system.
- After you’ve inspected all of your sensors, disarm the alarm system as you normally would when you return home.
- Finally, call back to the monitoring center to verify that the alarm signals sent by the alarm panel were received.
In addition to performing all of the above simple steps, check to see if the manufacturer has any recommendations about how your devices should be checked, and make sure you perform any additional steps they recommend.
If you don’t know the type of sensors you have or how to test them, simply contact your alarm service provider for details. Your alarm service provider also has trained professionals that will test your system at your request.
A properly operating alarm system is a valuable asset for protecting your property. If you have any questions regarding a WH Security alarm system, please contact us at (800) 943-2667 or 763.477.3664 or via email at servicetech@wh-security.com.