ABAT Communication Systems & Central Station Monitoring Flashcards

Which communication pathway is considered the most reliable primary signaling method for burglar alarm systems to a central station?

Answer: Dedicated leased line

Dedicated leased lines provide the highest reliability for alarm signaling because they are exclusively reserved for the alarm system and not shared with other traffic.

In the Contact ID protocol, what does the event code '130' represent?

Answer: Burglary alarm

Contact ID event code 130 is the standard code for a burglary (intrusion) alarm signal transmitted to the central station.

What is the primary purpose of a dual-path communicator in a modern alarm system?

Answer: To provide redundancy if one communication path fails

Dual-path communicators use two separate communication channels (e.g., cellular + IP) so that if one path goes down, the backup path automatically transmits signals.

Under UL 2050, what is the maximum allowable response time for a central station to respond to a burglar alarm signal?

Answer: 180 seconds

UL 2050 requires central stations to respond to burglar alarm signals within 180 seconds (3 minutes) of receipt of the signal.

Which format is the most widely used digital communicator protocol between alarm panels and central stations in the US?

Answer: Contact ID (CID/DTMF)

Contact ID (also known as CID or DTMF tone format) is the most universally adopted protocol for transmitting alarm event data from panels to central stations.

What does 'account duress code' refer to in central station operations?

Answer: A secondary password that silently alerts the central station the user is under coercion

A duress code is a special PIN that, when entered, appears normal to an intruder but secretly signals the central station that the user is being forced to disarm the system.