How to Test Driveway Alarms
Get an early warning and prevent surprises when unanticipated visitors arrive at your door. A thoroughly tested driveway alarm provides advance notice of the arrival of friends, family or even packages. Whether you want bells to ring, chimes to resonate, or lights to flash, you can select one or more events to occur when a person or vehicle activates a driveway alarm. Many homeowners consider an infrared alarm and another alarm referred to as a "probe" alarm as two of the most common types available. These alarms require testing to ensure reliability. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Infrared Alarm
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1
Examine the frequency setting on the motion sensor located at the entrance of the driveway as well as the setting on the base station inside the dwelling. Set both to the same frequency.
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2
Position the base station's antenna vertically for optimal reception. Orient the base station toward the motion sensor outside.
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3
Connect the power source to the base station, and set the control switch to the "On" position.
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4
Position yourself in an area near the alarm and ask another person to proceed up the driveway, walking or in a vehicle. An alarm should sound when the sensor detects a person or car.
Probe Alarm
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5
Check the connections to the control box inside the dwelling. Set the switch on the control box to the "On" position and make sure the probe wire from outside connects to the terminal strip.
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6
Open the control box and locate the sensitivity control positioned just below the circuit board. Align it mid-point on the scale between minimum and maximum indicators.
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7
Ask someone to drive a vehicle into the driveway. A whistle activates inside the control box when the probe detects the vehicle.
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Tips & Warnings
Test driveway alarms weekly to maintain dependability.
Probe or infrared driveway alarms will not operate during power outages.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit an alarm-gun image by alri from Fotolia.com
