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System hiccups and false alarms can be frustrating, and even worse, may prevent your home’s security from doing its job effectively. Luckily, most troubles, from dead batteries to false alarms, are simple to fix. Take a look at our suggestions for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Kingsport. We’ll help keep your family members safe and your system operating properly.

Test Your Home Security System In Kingsport

One of the most effective ways to troubleshoot your home’s security is to test it yourself! Modern systems have a test mode so you don’t accidentally trigger an emergency response from monitoring agents. Once you’re in test mode, do the following:

• Arm your system as you would when leaving.
• Open a window or door that has a contact sensor, or test other equipment. Shut the window or door so it doesn’t trigger the alarm when you switch out of test mode.
• Allow the alarm to go off for 60 seconds to ensure communications with the security provider and to make an entry in the alarm system log.
• Proceed to test equipment as you wish
• Inspect the systems’s activity log to confirm functionality.

No need to worry, monitoring professionals can see that your alarm system is undergoing a test. Be sure to switch out of test mode when done. It’s wise to test every other month or anytime you adjust your home’s internet or phone provider.

Check The Placement And Condition Of Motion Detectors

Although an crucial element of your alarm system, motion sensors are well known for false alarms. Prevent them with a few basic troubleshooting steps.

• Do a physical check. Are there items that could move within the sensor’s detection range, like a window treatment taken by a breeze?
• Is the sensor dirty? Cobwebs, dirt, and debris can lead to malfunctions. Make sure the face is clean.
• Does the motion detector come with pet immunity you can activate? Some sensors can be set to disregard pets weighing up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery last replaced? A low battery can impact performance or cause false alarms.
• Is the sensor facing a source of heat? Excessive heat from direct sun or a fireplace can cause an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Look Out For Low Battery Notifications

One of the great aspects of new home security systems is that they’ll let you know when batteries are getting low. If your system is equipped with a control panel or mobile app, you’ll often see notifications there. Depending on your alarm, you may detect an intermittent beep when batteries are running out. 

Contact sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, and other wireless tools have batteries that need to be replaced every year or two. It’s a good idea to keep batteries ready and set a replacement schedule. Many systems also come with a rechargeable backup battery for the main control panel. This battery keeps your system running if you have a power outage and should recharge itself once power is back online. If it doesn’t, you will have to replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Easy With ADT Home Security In Kingsport 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT designs systems that supply superior functionality and protection. Switching to test mode is simple through the ADT+ app or MyADT.com, and you’ll always be sent notifications when a battery is low. Get in touch with Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to learn more and design a system perfect for your Kingsport home. Place a call to (423) 241-8746 or fill out our form today!