ADT Pulse

ADT has a home automation service that enhances the security system by allowing full automation of some activities. The ADT Pulse automated enhancement allows you to remotely automate activities such as:

• Locking and unlocking doors
• Turning lights on and off
• Dimming lights
• Opening and closing garage doors
• Regulating thermostat

Pulse uses a router connected to your home internet service, this router is connected to the Panel allowing automation to occur. Zwave and WIFI are combined to provide this capability. WIFI cameras are used for video allowing you to view, capture and store short video clips if an event occurs. These images can be sent to your phone as an alert in the event something happens. 

Zwave devices such as:

• Light switches
• Dimmer switches
• Garage door openers
• Nest thermostats
• Kwikset door locks
• Lamp modules

These devices are connected to your security Panel through a Zwave mesh network. One of the big advantages of a mesh network is each device acts as a repeater thus boosting range of coverage.

Googles Nest thermostat device is the choice for environmental control, this allows for remote access to temperature monitoring in the home.

Amazons Alexa is the new device allowing for full voice control when in the home.

Burglary

CONTROL PANEL

This is the brains to the system, it is the heart of the burglary system. This device is usually installed in a home closet, garage, or somewhere that is not readily visible. Every hard wired system comes with one of these to connect devices. The Control Panel consists of an external casing that holds the circuit board, backup battery and in some cases the cellular communicator. In some wireless systems the keypad can act as the Control Panel.

ADT's Panel of choice is Ademco, manufactured by Honeywell, may be referred to as Safewatch. This is a hardwired Panel but can include a wireless receiver for wireless devices. 

Hardwired devices such as contacts(sensors), motion detectors, smoke detectors, keypad, carbon monoxide detectors, glass break detectors, and heat detectors as well as the siren are connected to the Control Panel

The Control Panel sends and receives signals from these devices, it also handles the communication signals from these devices to the Central Monitoring Station.

I will not be discussing keypads here because there are too many to address. With automation being a driving force in home and business security keypads are becoming obsolete. Every alarm system comes with some type of keypad or a means to arm/disarm the system and make system changes. With remote system capabilities on most of Today's systems keypads have become a thing of the past.

HARDWIRED CONTACT

Hardwired contacts are actually wired back to the Control Panel, that is why they are called hardwired. They come in 2 types, embedded and surface mount. Contacts are used for openings such as doors and windows. For aesthetic purposes embedded contacts are used because they are not visible. Most of the time you will find them on doors although, they have been used in window applications. They consist of 2 parts, there is the part wired back to the Panel, the other part is a magnet, separation of the 2 parts causes a signaled alarm. The advantage to having hardwired contacts is no battery replacement and not limited on distance in larger homes.

WIRELESS CONTACT

Wireless contacts act the same when it comes to sending a signal, they consist of the contact itself and a magnet also. These contacts cannot be embedded due to their size and RF signal capability. All wireless contacts have batteries inside to provide power. The biggest disadvantage to wireless contacts is having to replace batteries and RF signal strength in larger homes.

MOTION DETECTOR

Motion detectors provide what is known as an interior trap when full perimeter design is not used. The motion is designed to pick up movement in the event entry is done through an opening that does not have a contact. Motion detectors are a reliable source for any alarm system but they can also be a main cause of false alarms. If a motion detector is not mounted in the correct area it can be triggered falsely. 

Pets can also be a cause for false alarms from motion detectors. Large animals can present a challenge for some motion detectors, always check the rating for pets(height and weight). It is recommended that motion detectors are not used when cats are in the home, cats tend to be more active as far as jumping around in the home, causing false alarms. If you plan on using motion detectors make sure you are familiar with the specifications of the detector. 

Motion detectors can be wired or wireless. Some motion detectors can be installed to create what is known as a pet alley way, I don't recommend this. Systems can be armed in two modes,(motion active vs motion inactive, away vs stay). Both of these methods have the ability to have the motion detector active or inactive.

Types of motion detectors

• PIR(Passive Infrared)
• Microwave
• Dual Technology
• Area Reflective
• Vibration

Why ADT

A company that has been providing security for over 140 years. Owns over 6 monitoring centers for your security protection. Trained and professional techs to install and service your system. Innovative leaders in the industry when it comes to home security.

When it comes to monitoring other companies equipment chances are you will have no problem with ADT.  Due to many acquisitions they can monitor 85% of existing equipment in the market.

Authorized Dealers for ADT are just that, authorized to sell and represent ADT as a company.  Authorized Dealers don't always use the same equipment, training is different, and they offer different promotions. 

When dealing with ADT make sure that you are dealing with a direct Representative and not an Authorized Dealer, if you choose to deal direct with Corporate ADT.  Buyer beware applies here, do not assume every Representative coming to your home is an ADT Employee.  

In the event you do choose to go with ADT Corporate ask the Representative for his/her license which they will have on the badge he/she may be wearing. You can research this license to see if in fact it is assigned to ADT and no another company. 

I am in no way stating you should not deal with an Authorized Dealer, just that I have experienced instances where people wanted to deal direct and found out they were with an Authorized Dealer.

ADT GUARANTEES AND DISCOUNTS

Theft Protection Guarantee covers insurance deductible (up to $500) in the event of burglary if your system is armed.

With ADT Money Back Service Guarantee, ADT will refund the system installation price and monitoring fees if you are not satisfied within 6 months of installation.*

Mover’s Security Guarantee entitles you to a FREE security system for your new home.

Homeowner’s insurance certificate may save you up to 20% off your homeowner’s insurance.

Life Safety

75% of deaths from fires are due to smoke inhalation.

When it comes to life safety all these devices are classified as life safety devices for Central Monitoring purposes.

SMOKE DETECTOR



For the home it is always good to have a monitored smoke detector to complement ones purchased from your local hardware store.

This device can and has been known to save lives, especially good for you pet owners.  Most fires in a home occur in the kitchen. If you have a monitored smoke detector make sure you clean it often, and when cleaning notify the Central Monitoring Station to put your system on test while cleaning so the Fire Department is not falsely alerted. 

Monitored 24 hours, 7 days a week whether the system is armed or not.

Get quick response from the monitoring center if a fire should ever occur, time is very important to saving lives and property.

There are two types of smoke detectors, photoelectric and ionized. Photo electric are best at detecting smoke, ionized are good at detecting flash flames.

Smoke detectors should be replaced every 5 years. Every home owner should have a planned escape design in the event of a fire in the home. This escape plan should be practiced on a regular basis.

HEAT DETECTOR

A heat detector is a fire detector that detects either abnormally high temperature or rate of temperature rise or both.

Heat detectors can be set up for a fixed temperature or for a rate of temperature rise.  Heat detectors can be used in kitchen area or another good place would be an attic or garage.  If you store flammable chemicals subject to certain temperature conditions a heat detector would be a good choice for monitoring of these temperatures.

CARBON MONOXIDE

A carbon monoxide unit detects an odorless gas known as carbon monoxide.  Carbon monoxide is a dangerous killer due to its properties. With petroleum being the main source to everyday items we purchase for our home, all homes should have at least one of these devices monitored.  When a fire initiates it smolders thus emitting carbon monoxide because of the petroleum based products being burned.

Another danger of carbon monoxide was reported from certain chargers used for golf carts.  When these chargers were in use for very long periods of time they emitted a carbon monoxide type of gas.

Home Security

DESIGN IS IMPORTANT 

Home security is personal, only you know what is to be accomplished when designing a system.  I am not saying you should not seek out advice from friends and family members familiar with and have their own system, what I am saying is the design is personal to you.  

When considering a home security system you should sit down and outline what is to be accomplished with the system, what are your expectations, and what the outcome will be. A home security system is not used to catch a burglar and it will not, it is a deterrent.  All systems sound some audible alarm with the intent of scaring off the burglar.  

When designing a system you should be aware of the types of coverage available.  There is perimeter and interior coverage.  Perimeter coverage takes into account every opening in the home(windows and doors), interior is a trap if the design does not have full perimeter. The interior trap is accomplished using a motion detector.

When designing a system it is better to have each device on a zone by itself, think of a zone as a location. Door contacts, window contacts, smoke detector, motion detector and possible glass break sensors should have an individual zone for each. Having separate zones is easier to identify exactly where the incident occurred in the home. 

Example: 2 story home, 4 bedrooms, 4 doors, 15 windows

In this example if you do the math you see there are 19 zones needed. The Panel out of the box includes 8 hard wired zones, 11 additional hard wired or wireless zones are needed. You can purchase a zone expander or group several locations on a zone. If they are grouped(up stairs windows on 1 zone) and an alarm signal occurs in that area of the home you will not know specifically which bedroom window had the incident. 

This is crucial when designing your system, make sure you have an understanding of this and you make your sales Rep aware. If you want separate and specific zone identification make sure you stress the importance of this to your Rep, he/she may try to talk you out of this because it drives up the cost of the system, be firm and negotiate. 

Keep in mind this is your system, your intent, your personal protection. This is important, what you design is what is seen on the screen by the agent at the Central Monitoring Station, this is the information they will have to relay to authorities.

Imagine yourself in a Central Monitoring Station reacting to an alarm event by watching a screen, what you see as far as zones and devices is what and how the system was set up and reporting.

MONITORING IS CRUCIAL

Why use a monitored home security system? 

There are two types of alarm systems, monitored and non monitored.  A non monitored system will sound an alarm but it does not communicate this alarm to a Central Monitoring Station.  

A monitored system is exactly what it says, the system sounds an alarm and also communicates a signal to the Central Monitoring Station for authorities to be notified, non monitored is for you or a neighbor to notify authorities. Both types are good deterrents in a burglary situation although, a monitored system is the best solution.  

Every monitored alarm system needs some type of communication in the home connected to the system to allow for signals to be transmitted to the Central Monitoring Station. In today's world most homes do not have hard land lines, this is why companies allow and offer alternative cellular devices in place of hard land lines.  

Cellular communicators are used to send signals via the system and a cell tower, some people consider this to be a wireless system, it is actually wireless communication.  An alarm system can consist of hard wired components as well as wireless components or a combination of the two, this is also considered wireless. 

There are several advantages that come to mind with cellular communication, it eliminates the threat of having the hard land line cut to disable the transmitting of signals, it prevents the system from taking a lightning hit if lightning should strike and come through the phone line, also cell towers rarely go down.  

Common mistakes made with a monitored system.

• Changing the communication provided without checking with the Central Station.

• Failing to do system tests on a regular basis, system should be tested monthly.

About Me

As a former ADT employee for more than 8+ years where I designed and sold home and business security systems I am somewhat biased. I spent 5 yrs of my time with ADT at their National Sales Center selling residential systems over the phone, then moved to the field where I sold residential and business systems.