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Power Systems & Backup Power for Alarm Systems Flashcards

7 cards from real ABAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. According to NFPA 72 and UL 681, what is the minimum standby battery backup time required for a residential burglar alarm control panel?

    Answer: 24 hours

    NFPA 72 and UL 681 require a minimum of 24 hours of standby power followed by sufficient capacity to operate all alarms for a defined period.

  2. Which type of battery is most commonly used as the primary backup power source in residential and commercial burglar alarm control panels?

    Answer: Sealed lead-acid (SLA)

    Sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries are the industry standard for alarm panel backup due to their low cost, maintenance-free design, and reliable discharge characteristics.

  3. What is the typical float charge voltage applied to a 12V sealed lead-acid alarm panel battery?

    Answer: 13.5–13.8 V

    A 12V SLA battery is maintained at approximately 13.5–13.8 V during float charging to keep it fully charged without overcharging.

  4. When testing a standby battery in an alarm panel, a technician measures 11.2 V under load. What does this indicate?

    Answer: The battery is sulfated or failing and should be replaced

    A 12V SLA battery reading below 11.8 V under load indicates excessive discharge depth or sulfation, signaling imminent failure and need for replacement.

  5. An alarm panel's power supply draws 500 mA during normal operation and 1.5 A when all sirens are active. The backup battery is rated at 7 Ah. Approximately how long will the battery sustain the panel in alarm state only?

    Answer: About 4.7 hours

    Dividing the 7 Ah capacity by the 1.5 A alarm draw gives approximately 4.7 hours (7 ÷ 1.5 = 4.67 hours).

  6. What does the UL listing require a burglar alarm power supply to do when AC power is lost?

    Answer: Automatically switch to battery backup without interruption to the protected zone circuits

    UL requires seamless, automatic transfer to battery backup to maintain continuous protection without interrupting zone monitoring or signaling.

  7. Which wire gauge is typically required for the 120 VAC connection to a hardwired residential alarm panel transformer to comply with NEC Article 725?

    Answer: 14 AWG

    NEC Article 725 and standard electrical code require a minimum of 14 AWG for 120 VAC branch circuits serving alarm transformers, matching standard 15 A circuit requirements.