Alarm Panel Is Beeping or Showing a Trouble Condition

If your alarm panel is beeping, chirping, or displaying a trouble condition, the system is usually trying to alert you to a problem that needs attention.

The beeping itself does not identify the problem. Before trying to reset or power down the alarm system, determine what trouble condition the panel is reporting.

Check the panel for a trouble message

Look at the alarm panel or keypad for a warning, trouble message, icon, or indicator.

Common trouble conditions include:

• Low panel battery
• Low sensor battery
• AC power failure
• Communication failure
• Sensor tamper
• Sensor malfunction
• Open or faulted sensor
• Internet or Wi-Fi problem
• Cellular communication problem

If your panel displays a specific message, write down the exact message before attempting to clear it.

Low Battery

A low-battery message may refer to the alarm panel's backup battery or to an individual wireless device such as a door sensor, motion detector, glass-break detector, smoke detector, or other sensor.

If a device or zone name is displayed with the low-battery message, note that name. Battery replacement procedures vary depending on the device.

AC or Power Failure

An AC power failure means the alarm system is not receiving its normal electrical power and may be operating from its backup battery.

Check whether:

1. The building has electrical power.
2. The alarm system's power supply has accidentally been unplugged.
3. The electrical outlet supplying the alarm system has power.
4. A circuit breaker or nearby GFCI outlet has tripped.

Do not open electrical equipment or work on exposed wiring.

Communication Failure

A communication failure means the alarm system is having difficulty communicating through one or more of its normal communication paths.

Depending on your system, this may involve cellular, Internet, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi communication.

If your Internet service recently went down, your router was replaced, or your Wi-Fi name or password was changed, let CommTech Systems know when requesting assistance.

Sensor Tamper or Sensor Trouble

A sensor tamper can occur when the cover of a wireless sensor is loose, removed, or not completely closed.

A sensor trouble or malfunction condition can indicate that the alarm panel is no longer communicating properly with that device.

Note the name of the affected sensor or zone.

Do not simply power down the alarm system

Turning off or unplugging an alarm system does not necessarily correct the cause of a trouble condition and could leave the property without normal security protection.

Determine the reported trouble condition first.

Life-safety devices

If the trouble condition involves a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, heat detector, or other life-safety device, do not bypass or disable the device simply to stop a trouble indication.

If a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is actively sounding and there may be an actual emergency, leave the affected area and follow appropriate emergency procedures.

When to contact CommTech Systems

Contact CommTech Systems if:

• You cannot determine what is causing the trouble condition.
• The trouble condition returns after the apparent problem has been corrected.
• A sensor continues to report a tamper or malfunction.
• The system continues reporting AC failure even though normal electrical power is available.
• The system reports a cellular or communication failure that does not clear.
• Multiple sensors suddenly report trouble.
• The problem involves a smoke, carbon monoxide, heat, or other life-safety device.
• The panel requires programming or service to correct the condition.

When contacting CommTech Systems, provide the exact trouble message, the name of the affected sensor or zone, and the make/model of your alarm panel if known.