Wireless Alarm System (490-2011) Installation - Part 1 Faxback Doc. # 16946 UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM The system consists of two basic components: the base and the sensors. The base is the main control panel for the alarm system. It includes all the control buttons, the status and zone indicators, dry-contact terminals for connecting an optional security device, and the main alarm siren. You install sensors in those areas of your home you want to protect. Each sensor sends a signal to the base which tells the status of the circuit (violated or not violated) and the status of the batteries. This signal is sent about every hour or when the sensor is violated. You use the learn mode to enter the sensors into the base so it recognizes them as part of your security system. The base monitors up to 16 security zones and sounds the alarm if the sensor reports a violation in that zone. You arm and disarm the system at the base or with a remote control. When the armed system is violated, the alarm sounds for about 5 minutes or until you disarm the system. UNDERSTANDING ZONES A zone is a single area of coverage, such as a front door, a basement window, or an entire room (protected by the motion sensor). Each zone is protected by a single door/window transmitter, infrared motion sensor, or other sensing/transmitting device. A fire zone is a single area of coverage protected by a smoke alarm siren detector. When an optional smoke alarm siren detector is added to the base, the base recognizes the siren detector as a fire zone. Fire zones cannot be bypassed. See "Bypassing Zones." You can add any combination of sensing/transmitting components, up to a total of 16, for wide-range protection. See "Adding Optional Devices." ASSIGNING ZONES Before you set up your system, make a security plan of your home. Even if you only install the supplied sensors, take time to think about the best location for them and others you might want to add later. Start by drawing a simple floorplan, then number each area you want to cover with a sensor. This number will later be the "zone number" you use when you teach the base the internal settings of the sensors (See "Using the Learn Mode"). Keep the floor plan near the base so you can check it when a zone reports a problem, to see where the sensor is located. INSTALLING THE BATTERIES The alarm system requires the following batteries available at your local Radio Shack store: Three 9-Volt Batteries (Cat. No. 23-553) - to power the door/window transmitters and motion sensor. Eight C Batteries (Cat. No. 23-551) - to power the base in case of power failure. NOTE: Do not use rechargeable batteries in the Wireless Alarm System. Low Battery Indication When a sensor or transmitter's battery becomes low, the base's BATT LOW indicator and the zone indicator for the sensor/transmitter flash. The base also beeps intermittently. Replace the sensor or transmitter's battery. About an hour after you install a battery in a door/window transmitter, the transmitter sends a status message to the base, and the transmitter's zone indicator lights steadily. If a motion sensor is armed, the sensor sends a status message to the base after about 2 1/2 minutes. The sensor's zone indicator lights steadily. If the sensor is disarmed, it sends the status message after about 1 hour. The BATT LOW indicator turns off, and the zone indicator for the sensor lights steadily. Installing the Door/Window Transmitters' Batteries You must install the door/window transmitters' batteries before you can use the transmitter. Also, each transmitter has a two-position switch labeled WINDOW/DOOR. The switch setting determines how quickly the alarm responds when the transmitter reports a violation. You must set the switch to the desired position before you install batteries and install the transmitter into the base. If you set the switch to WINDOW, the alarm responds instantly. If you set the switch to DOOR, the alarm waits about 45 seconds before it sounds. This gives you time to disarm the system after you enter the protected door. To set the switch and install each door/window transmitter's battery, follow these steps. 1. Remove the transmitter's battery compartment cover by sliding it off. 2. Set the switch to the desired position. 3. Connect the terminals of an alkaline 9-volt rectangular battery (Cat. No. 23-553) to the connector inside the battery compartment, and place the battery in the compartment. NOTE: Keep the cover off the battery compartment so you can connect the sensor to the door/window transmitter as described in "Connecting the Sensor to the Door/Window Transmitter." Installing the Remote Control's Battery The alarm system's remote control lets you arm and disarm the system and sound the panic alarm away from the base. To install the remote control's battery: 1. Remove the Phillips-head screw on the cover. 2. Remove the battery compartment cover by sliding it in the direction of the arrow. 3. Install the 12V lighter battery (Cat. No. 23-144), and replace the battery compartment cover and its screw. NOTE: Before you can use the remote control, you must follow the procedures described in "Using the Learn Mode" for the remote control to operate properly. Installing the Motion Sensor's Battery To prepare your motion sensor, you must install a battery and set the ARM/DISARM switch. Your system's motion sensor requires a 9V alkaline rectangular battery (Cat. No. 23-553). 1. Remove the cover on top of the sensor by removing the screw and then sliding the cover in the direction of the arrow. 2. Set ARM/DISARM to DISARM. 3. Connect the battery terminals to the connector inside the compartment, and place the battery in the compartment on top of the red ribbon (for easier battery removal). NOTE: Leave the cover off the motion sensor so you can adjust its controls as described in "Adjusting the Sensor". IMPORTANT: Wait about 2 1/2 minutes for the indicator on the front of the motion sensor to flash; then, proceed with the installation. Installing the Base's Batteries Follow these steps to install batteries in the base before you use the system for the first time. 1. Make sure the bases is unplugged. 2. Turn over the base, and remove the screw from the battery compartment cover. Lift off the cover. 3. Install eight alkaline C batteries (Cat. No. 23-551) as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and -) marked in the compartment. 4. Replace the compartment cover and screw. NOTE: To avoid discharging batteries, prepare the location of the base before installing them. CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR THE BASE The base can be mounted on a wall or set on a table or shelf. Choose a convenient location for the base that meets the following guidelines. Is near a standard AC outlet not controlled by a switch Cannot be seen from any entrance Is central to doors, windows, and rooms you plan to protect Is not near metal ductwork or other large metal objects NOTE: If you set the base on a table or shelf, rotate the base's antenna so it is perpendicular to the base to ensure the best reception. Follow these steps to mount the base on a wall. 1. Using a ruler, mark the positions for both screw holes 6 15/16 inches apart. 2. In both marked locations, drill a hole slightly smaller than the screws. CAUTION: Be careful not to drill into any objects behind the wall. 3. Insert the two screws into the wall, letting each head extend 1/8 inch from the wall. 4. Align the holes under the base with the screw heads in the wall, then carefully push the base onto the screw heads and slide it down. 5. Rotate the base's antenna so it is perpendicular to the base. CONNECTING THE BASE TO POWER Plug the base's AC adapter into a standard AC outlet that is not controlled by a light switch. 1. Remove the center screw from the wall plate. 2. Plug the adapter into the outlet. 3. Secure the adapter to the outlet by inserting the center screw through adapter's hole and replace the screw. TESTING THE BASE'S ALARMS Follow these steps to test the base's alarms. 1. Press and hold down TEST on the base for at least 2 seconds. The TEST indicator lights and the base alternately sounds the burglar alarm (repeated beeps) and the fire alarm (a continuous tone) while you hold down the button. NOTES: Any external sirens you connect also sound. See "Connecting an External Siren or Other Device to the Dry-Contact Terminals." The fire alarm sounds when you perform the test, regardless of what accessories you have connected. 2. Release TEST after you confirm the alarm's operation. 3. Press TEST again to turn off the TEST indicator.