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System malfunctions and false alarms can be exasperating, and more importantly, may prevent your security system from working the way it should. Fortunately, most problems, from false alarms to dead batteries, are easy to correct. Explore our recommendations for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Duluth. We’ll help keep your household safeguarded and your system running as it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Duluth

One of the most effective ways to troubleshoot your home’s security is to test it! Newer systems let you place them in test mode to prevent you from triggering an emergency response from monitoring agents. After switching to test mode, follow these steps:

• Activate your system as you normally would when heading out.
• Open a window or door that has a contact sensor, or test other sensors. Shut the door or window so it doesn’t trip the alarm as you switch out of test mode.
• Permit the alarm to sound for 60 seconds to make sure a transmission is sent to the security company and an entry is made in the alarm system log.
• Proceed to test sensors as you wish
• Inspect the systems’s activity log to confirm functionality.

Rest assured, monitoring professionals can tell that your system is involved in a test. Be sure to switch out of test mode when complete. It’s a good idea to test once a month or anytime you adjust your home’s phone or internet service.

Check The Position And State Of Motion Sensors

Although an integral aspect of your alarm system, motion sensors are well known for false alarms. Prevent them with some basic troubleshooting.

• Do a physical check. Are there objects that could shift within the detection path of the sensor, like drapery blown in a breeze?
• Is the sensor dirty? Cobwebs, dirt, and debris can result in malfunctions. Ensure the device is clean.
• Does the motion detector come with pet immunity you can activate? Some sensors can be programmed to ignore pets weighing as much as 100 pounds.
• When was the battery replaced? A nearly depleted battery may affect performance or cause false alarms.
• Is a heat source impacting the sensor? Too much heat from a fireplace, direct sun, or something else can cause an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Pay Attention To Low Battery Notifications

One of the great things about modern home security systems is that they’ll alert you when batteries are dying. If your system is equipped with a control panel or mobile app, you’ll typically discover notifications there. Depending on your system, you could detect an occasional beep when batteries are getting low. 

Contact sensors, smoke detectors, motion sensors, and other wireless components have batteries that should be replaced every year or two. It’s best to keep batteries on hand and establish a replacement schedule. Top systems also have a rechargeable backup battery for the main control panel. This backup keeps your system running if you have a power outage and should recharge once power is back online. If it doesn’t recharge, you should replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Effortless With ADT Home Security In Duluth 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT builds systems that supply superior functionality and protection. Accessing test mode is simple through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always be sent alerts when a sensor battery is low. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to learn more and design a system perfect for your Duluth home. Call (218) 231-1734 or complete our form today!