Troubleshooting & testing

Having trouble with your alarm system or simple want to run a test?

Chose your security system by name or identify from the keypad pictures below​

Troubleshooting

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Bypassing a zone

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By passing a zone can be used for when a zone is faulty or when you require a certain area of your premiss to be accessible. Bypassing a zone prevents it from triggering when the alarm is armed

• Confirm Panel is ‘Disarmed’ 

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• Hold ‘9’ until it you hear a beep 

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• Press the zone number you wish to bypass, followed by the ‘*’ 

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• Repeat zone number and ‘*’ for more than one zone

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• Arm the system 

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• Bypassed zones will be cleared when the system is ‘Disarmed’

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False Alarms

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A false alarm is where an alarm system is activated in error or by accidental means.

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Can't identify a specific trouble zone?

• What is the power like in your area? Power fluctuations and multiple outages can cause false alarms. It may be necessary to consult a Pre Secure technician for an alternative power solutions that can reduce reliance on the mains electricity grid, thus driving down power related false alarms

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• How long was it since the system was last serviced? Alarm systems should be serviced by a qualified technician once every 6 months to maintain their effectiveness. If it has been longer than 6 months since the last service, get in contact with Pre Secure control room to book a service from one of our alarm specialists

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Can you identify which zone the false alarms are coming from? 

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• Check the sensors, magnetic contacts or beams in this zone. Common causes of false alarms from zones include:

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Failing to arm

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1) Is your exit door open?

• Check to see if the door you are going to use to exit the premiss is closed. This exit door must be closed in order to arm the system.

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• If your exit door is open, close it. 

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• Attempt to arm the system.

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2) Is there a violated zone?

• It may be that a zone is being activated. Check to see if one (or more) of the zones are displayed on the LCD keypad. If they are, this means the zone is open. On the LED keypad, an orange LED light will flash next to the open zone.  The alarm system cannot be armed while a zone is being violated (unless bypassed). 

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• Check which sensor, beam or magnetic contact is on the activated zone.

• See if you can determine the cause of the activation from the violated zone.

1) Check if a pet or a curtain blowing in the wind is causing movement that is triggering the sensor.

2) Check all doors and windows with magnetic contact are closed properly and that the magnetic contacts are as close together as possible.

3) Check if clothing on the a washing line or foliage is activating outdoor sensors or beams. Is there an object obstructing the path of the beam.

• Fix what may be violating the zone and check the keypad again.

• You will be able to arm the system. If the LCD keypad still displays a zone name (as being open) or an orange LED zone light is still flashing, there may be a problem with the sensors themselves. This will require a Pre Secure technician to fix. You can temporarily bypass the problem zone in order to arm (see bypass section). 

• Inform control room that you require technical assistance to fix an overactive zone.

3) Is the correct passcode being entered?

• If the password you are entering to arm the alarm is incorrect the system will not arm. 

• Clear what you have typed in so far by pressing ‘hash’.

• Reenter correct code or have another code holder enter theirs. 

• If you are unable to remember your code, press and hold ‘quick away’ if leaving or ‘quick stay’ is remaining in the premiss. 

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Failing to disarm

1) Are you entering the right password?

• If the wrong password is entered into the keypad, the system will fail to disarm

• Clear your current entry by pressing ‘hash’

• Re-enter the correct disarming code or have another code holder enter theirs. 

• Alarm will disarm

• If alarm fails to disarm, contact control room for technical assistance

2) The Alarm system may be jammed on due to power surge

On the rare occasion that a power surge causes the system to short circuit, a technician is required to reset the system. You must contact our control room and arrange for one of our alarm specialists to repair the system. 

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System is down

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1) Power issue

• Check if you have power coming into the house? If you have been without power for a long period the battery may be flat. You must either wait for power to come back online and recharge the batter, or speak to Pre Secure about installing a large power back up. 

• If you do have power, check to see if the alarm system is plugged in at the wall. If the system has been unplugged, plug it back in and wait for the system to come back online. 

2) System fault

If your system is not working but is plugged in and you have power, the system may have blown or short circuited. In this event you need to call Pre Secure control room and arrange for one of our alarm specialists to repair the system.

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Testing 

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1) Self test of zones 

• Have somebody stand by the keypad

• Walk around your property and violate each zone one at a time (open a door with a magnet or walk in front of a sensor or beam)

• Each zone should indicate it has been violated on the keypad (word on LCD and flashing light on LED) 

• If any zones are not violated, call Pre Secure control room for technical assistance

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2) Test of alarm signal to Pre Secure

If you have found all your zones to be functioning correctly, then you only need to violate one zone while the system is armed to test your alarm

• Call control room

• Give you name and address

• Tell control room you are out to test your alarm system

• Arm your alarm and violate a sensor (open a door with a magnet or walk in front of a sensor) 

• Alarm will be triggered 

• Confirm test with control room 

• For technical assistance, ask control

• Note: you do not need to do this on every sensor providing you followed the instruction in step 1 first