• Residential and commercial security
  • 30 years keeping Canterbury secure

FAQs

Low Battery

Your alarm system battery supplies backup power to operate your alarm system during a power outage. All alarm panels operate on mains power and contain a back-up battery, unfortunately different manufacturers use different batteries in the alarm panel.


  • How to Know If You Need a New Battery?

    The first sign of alarm battery failure is usually a beeping keypad. The beeping or chirping will often occur at the same time. This is because many panels do their automatic battery test every 24 hours. Less commonly, a low battery condition can cause false alarms at random times throughout the day.

    Almost all alarm panels will also display a keypad trouble light to indicate a problem.
    Keypads with LCD displays will print out “low batt”, “LB”, or something similar. Keypads with LED’s may need you to press a button or two for the lights to show the trouble condition.

  • Should I Replace My Own Battery?

    Action Security recommends a qualified technician should attend and replace the panel battery. A battery replacement may sound simple, but the alarm panel normally requires reprogramming after a battery change.

  • What if my system is still in warranty?

    If your system is in warranty and a low battery signal has occurred and you choose to replace the batteries by yourself, it may invalidate any remaining warranty.

Chime Mode

Most alarm systems have a Chime feature, that allows the Keypad to chirp when movement is detected by a Sensor. If you have accidentally set your alarm system into Chime Mode, you can unset this by pressing the Chime symbol. This may be one of the following symbols on your Keypad:

Sirens Sounding

Sometimes we are in a hurry and don’t press the Keypad PIN numbers correctly. If this happens, press the # or CLEAR key and re-enter your PIN Code slowly and firmly. PIN Codes are a sequence of (usually) 4 numbers. If you don’t press each number firmly, it may not register correctly, or it may only pick up 3 numbers. # or CLEAR resets the Keypad so you can re-enter the numbers correctly to turn off the Sirens. If this doesn’t work, there may be another reason. Call our 24/7 phone number 03 3840995 to talk to a Technician or our Help Desk.

Date and Time

If you have a power cut and your Keypad is beeping, this could mean the system has lost its Date and Time. A Technician can reset this and check the Backup Battery at the same time.

Communication Error

If your alarm system is monitored and you move to VOIP or Fibre, your alarm system can no longer send signals to the monitoring station and will show a Trouble Condition on the Keypad.
You will need a Communication Module installed in your alarm system to allow the signals to be sent in a different format.
Call our Sales Team on 03 384 0995 for more information and pricing, preferably BEFORE you commit to changing to an alternative phone system.

We are thinking of getting a Pet

If you are considering getting a Pet that will remain inside whilst the alarm system is set, you need special Pet Immune Movement Sensors.

Passive Infrared Movement Sensors activate when heat and movement is detected, this can be from a Heat Pump, draught, or a pet (or rodent!).

Dual Technology Movement Sensors have a Microwave built in, that detects heat, movement and body mass. If the body mass is within the Movement Sensors range, ie a Cat, or medium sized Dog, they will not activate.

It is not always easy to tell if the Movement Sensors you have are Pet Immune, but a Technician can open the Sensors and advise you as to what they are.

Smoke Alarms

If your Smoke Alarms are hardwired into the alarm system, these need to be cleaned on a regular basis. The chamber inside the Smoke Alarm fills up with dust and can cause false activations. Burning of incense, vaping, smoking, cooking fumes, exhaust fumes and steam also clog up the chambers.

A quick vacuum around the Smoke Alarm is recommended, but an Annual Service Check is vital to ensure they are correctly cleaned and tested.

Smoke Alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

Preventative Maintenance

We strongly recommend your alarm system is Serviced annually. This is like a WOF for your alarm, which often shows up any underlying conditions, which we can often diagnose and deal with before any critical damage occurs.

We offer a Service Agreement are a reduced rate for a 3 year Term. Call our Service Department on 03 384 0995 to find out more.

A Service Check tests the load bearing of the Backup Battery, checks and cleans the Movement Sensors and Smoke Alarms, checks the wiring, checks the Main Alarm Panel, tests the Sirens and changes any Codes or setting within the alarm system. Batteries in Wireless devices are also tested and replaced if required.

Payment Terms

We ask that Domestic clients pay for work done on their alarm system, on the day of the work. This can be by Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Eftpos or Internet Banking.

Upgrading an old Alarm

Most alarm systems are good for 10-15 years, then they start to show signs of age and eventually stop working.

In most occasions, the wiring can remain in place, however we always test this in case there is any wear and tear, or rodent damage.

We would install a new Main Control Panel (brain), Keypad and Backup Battery.

If the Movement Sensors are old, or yellow, we also recommend replacing these. Likewise the External Siren of older alarm systems, uses a Horn Speaker and Battery so we replace these with a new External Siren.

Depending on the size of the Main Control Panel and what other devices are needed, an upgrade starts around $800.

Call our Sales Team on 03 384 0995 for an obligation free appraisal.

New Alarm System

Our Sales Team are happy to meet with you to discuss your options when it comes to installing a new alarm system.

We can price from a set of Plans if you prefer, giving you options for additional items such as Remote Controls, Communication Modules, Security Cameras, Intercoms and Electric Gates.

Basic alarm systems start around $1500.00 but we do tailor-make all alarm system to suit your needs and requirements.

Our Sales Team can be contacted on 03 384 0995.