Security Alarm System’s FAQs
- Are you a local or national company?
- Do you install both hard-wired and wireless systems?
- Is a wireless system just as reliable as hard-wired?
- How often must I replace batteries in my wireless devices?
- What is your standard warranty on your products?
- If my alarm is set off accidentally will it be a nuisance to my neighbors?
- How do your systems work?
- Can I test my system?
- What happens during a power failure?
- What is an RJ31X Jack?
- Do you charge for the installation of an RJ31X Jack?
- What is alarm monitoring?
- What happens if I accidentally set off my alarm system?
- What if I am currently under another company’s alarm-monitoring agreement?
Are you a local company?
We are a local company located in Easton Pennsylvania.
Do you install both hard-wired and wireless systems?
We install both hard-wired and wireless systems. Many times both technologies will be combined into one system to make your system design most cost effective.
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Is a wireless system just as reliable as hard-wired?
Yes, wireless technology has proven itself to be just as reliable. The wireless transmitters or wireless devices enrolled into your system each have a unique identification number that we program into your system. Periodically, the wireless devices will send a supervisory signal to your main control panel just to show that it is still functioning properly. If that signal is not received by the time the main
control is expecting it, a trouble indication will display on your keypad and our central station will be notified.
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How often must I replace batteries in my wireless devices?
This will vary depending on the condition of the battery. The wireless devices that we use, typically all have lithium batteries, which most times will last a minimum of 3 years. At times, customers have not had to change batteries for 5-6 years.
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What is your standard warranty on your products?
Our standard warranty is one-year parts and labor. During that time period if your system should need servicing there would be no charge.
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If my alarm is set off accidentally will it be a nuisance to my neighbors?
We as a standard, include an interior siren with your system. Typically your neighbors cannot hear that siren. Many customers will add an exterior siren to their system to alert their neighbors and certainly to help ward-off any intruders. Some exterior sirens installed can include a flashing strobe to help aid authorities in locating your home quickly.
Your system is designed by professionals at our company with the help of your concerns we tailor every system towards you the customer. The system is installed and connected to your standard telephone line at your location. If an alarm is triggered, the signal is transmitted through the telephone lines to our central station immediately. The call that your system makes to our central station is a toll-free number.
Absolutely, and we recommend it. By calling our central station operators, and requesting that they put your system into a “test” mode, you can activate the system and then test any or all of the sensors that we have installed for you. Once completed with your test, you may call back the central station and review the “account activity” of your system and they will read back to you the signal that they received during your test. We also offer on-line web access so you may see, save, or print your account activity for your own personal records.
What happens during a power failure?
A low voltage transformer that runs off of your existing electric powers your security system. However, if the power fails, your system will automatically switch to its own backup battery for several hours depending on the condition of your battery. Once the power is
restored to the location, the system begins to recharge the battery and returns itself to its main electrical supply.
Your security system is also installed with a RJ31X jack. The RJ31X provides additional security through a feature knows as line seizure. When activated, a relay in your security system “seizes” your phone line and gives the security system priority use of this line over any other telephones, fax machines, modems, etc., allowing the security system to report its signals to our central monitoring station. Simply what this means is that if you are on the telephone line at the time of an alarm, you will be temporarily disconnected from your call and the alarm system will transmit its data to our central station. After a few short moments your dial tone will be restored.
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Do you charge for the installation of an RJ31X Jack?
No we do not, and that is something to consider when looking or comparing us to other alarm companies that might. Some companies have RJ31X installation charges as high as $85.00.
Upon receiving a signal/alarm from your location, our UL central station operators will immediately call your location to verify whether or not it is a true alarm or emergency. Whomever answers the phone at that time is greeted by an operator and immediately asked for a secret password that is stored securely. If we do not make contact with any one at your location, we immediately dispatch your proper local authorities. (Police, fire, or medical personnel.)
What happens if I accidentally set off my alarm system?
Don’t worry, it happens to all of us. Our central station operators will simply contact your location and identify themselves as Hi-Tech Security Alarms. They will then ask you for a secret password, and upon them receiving that information from you; they will cancel any police, fire, or medical personnel from responding at your request. *(If the signal received is a panic or hold-up alarm, they will 1st dispatch the authorities, then notify you)
What if I am currently under another company’s alarm-monitoring agreement?
If you have an existing system that is monitored and have signed an agreement with another provider, you must wait until it expires. Most company’s request that you give them advance notice that you are going to be canceling, so check your agreement carefully. Additionally, most company’s also use automatically renewing agreements which will automatically renew themselves if not cancelled according to the terms of the agreement. Check your agreements carefully and feel free to give us a call. A good practice that we have heard is to send a certified letter now to let them know that you will be canceling and that you wish to only continue your service on a monthly basis once the original term of your agreement has been fulfilled. Send the letter now; it will keep you from an automatic renewal; especially if your not satisfied with your current company.
Got more questions? Contact us!