SDMmag logo
search
Go to Ask SDM AI
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
SDMmag logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Access Control & Identification
    • Integration & Network Solutions
    • Life Safety & Fire Alarm
    • Monitoring
    • Smart Home
    • Trends & Industry Issues
    • Video Solutions
  • COLUMNS
    • Digital Shuffle
    • Editor's Angle
    • Insider News & Business
    • Integration Spotlight
    • Marketing Madmen
    • Security & the Law
    • Security Comings & Goings
    • Security Networkings
    • Technology @ Work
    • Technology Solutions & Skills
    • SIA Waypoints
    • Cybersecurity Chronicle
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Industry Forecast
    • Dealer of the Year
    • Project of the Year
    • SDM 100
    • State of the Market Series
    • Systems Integrator of the Year
    • Top Systems Integrator Report
    • TMA Excellence Awards
  • BLOG
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • White Papers
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Calendar
    • Webinars
  • MORE
    • Classified Ads
    • Newsletters
    • SDM Store
    • State of Security eBook
    • Sponsored Insights
  • BUYERS GUIDE
    • Buyers Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Monitoring Today
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Test Your Wireless Know-How

By Roy Pollack
December 19, 2011

1. Cross Zoning means programming two or more wireless sensors with the same ID number.

a. True

b. False

 

2. A mesh network combines the technologies of multiple manufacturers so that the chances of signal transmission success are increased.

a. True

b. False

 

3. Add-on devices to a wireless security system by their nature cannot be supervised.

a. True

b. False

 

4. Wavelength _____________ as the frequency _____________________.

a. increases / decreases

b. increases / increases

c. decreases / decreases

Looking for quick answers on security topics? Try Ask SDM, our new smart AI search tool. Ask SDM →

d. decreases / increases

 

5. Which of the following construction materials will interfere with the transmission of wireless signals?

a. Wood paneling

b. Sheetrock

c. Mirrors

d. All of the above

 

6. “Line of sight” means the total distance you can see is the range of the wireless detector.

a. True

b. False

 

7. Mesh systems utilize a series of towers to receive and retransmit their signals.

a. True

b. False

 

8. Wireless devices may be used only indoors.

a. True

b. False

 

9. All burglar alarm control panels are capable of supervised wireless signaling.

a. True

b. False

 

10. Wireless transmitters include all of the following except

a. motion detectors.

b. smoke detectors.

c. glass-breakage detectors.

d. door/window contacts.

e. sirens.

 

11. Mesh networks are only approved for burglar alarm signals and not approved by NFPA 72 for transmitting commercial fire alarm signals.

a. True

b. False

 

12. The higher the voltage of a battery in the transmitter, the longer the transmitter will function properly.

a. True

b. False

 

13. Wireless systems may be used on commercial burglar and fire alarm systems if

a. listed by UL 681.

b. specified by the AHJ.

c. listed for the purposes for which it is intended.

d. the manufacturer says so.

e. only for residential systems.

 

14. Which of the following frequencies is not used for wireless security systems?

a. 300 MHz

b. 450 MHz

c. 900 MHz

d. 2.9 GHz

 

15. Supervised wireless devices means which of the following is monitored?

a. the battery

b. device status (door, window)

c. tamper or cover on the transmitter

d. All of the above

e. only whether or not the protection device is operational

 

Wireless diagram

 

What’s Wrong With This?

Hapless Harry installed a wireless alarm system in a commercial building, but he had trouble with some of the sensors. Can you determine what the resolution to the problem would be?

 

Wireless diagram 2

 

Answer to: What’s Wrong With This?

Harry needed to move the control panel and receiver more towards the center of the building. This also cleared the way for the signal to be received from the outside storage shed he was protecting. The mechanical room was originally in the way with a number of electronic components and large metal air conditioning ducts. Because he had to run a phone line from the lobby to the phone room, by moving the panel to the phone room, he was able to use that wire for the remote keypad. The panel also then became better protected, instead of being in the lobby and easy to tamper with.

 

 

5-Minute Tech Quiz Answers

Here are the answers to 5-Minute Tech Quiz.

1. b

2. b

3. b

4. d

5. c — Mirrors have a silver backing which can hinder the signal from the transmitter.

6. b

7. b — Mesh systems transmit their signals from unit to unit and not through conventional radio or cellular towers.

8. b — When properly listed, they may be used outdoors.

9. b — Not every burglar alarm panel is manufactured to permit supervised wireless. Some are designed to accept supervised wireless, while others can accept add-on devices.

10. e — A siren may be wireless but it would receive a signal, not transmit one.

11. b — If the device is submitted for testing to a nationally recognized testing laboratory and receives the appropriate listing it may be used for that purpose.

12. b — The voltage would not determine how long a device may operate. Many factors, including usage, affect the life of the battery. Increasing the amperage of a battery would add more operating time.

13. c

14. d

15. d

KEYWORDS: alarm panel receiver wireless wireless sensors

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Roy Pollack, CPP, SET, holds Level IV certification in the field of fire alarms from NICET is currently the director of Compliance for Devcon Security Services Corp., Hollywood, Fla., and may be reached at sdmtechtips@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • SDM 100

    SDM 100: Top 100 Security Dealers of 2026

    The top 100 security dealers navigated a complex...
    Exclusives
    By: Karyn Hodgson
  • Security camera

    State of the Market: Video Surveillance

    As video surveillance shifts from siloed systems to...
    Exclusives
    By: Brianna Wilson
  • 2026 Industry Forecast

    SDM 2026 INDUSTRY FORECAST

    Rapid technology advances meet shifting economic...
    Exclusives
    By: Karyn Hodgson
Manage My Account
  • SDM Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the SDM audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of SDM or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Doctor examining child patient with mother present in medical clinic
    Sponsored byHID

    The Human Side of Hospital Security: How Modern Visitor Management Protects People First

Popular Stories

Video surveillance camera

Why Video Health Monitoring Is a ‘No Brainer’

ESA Board of Directors Q2 26 Elections

Electronic Security Association Announces 2026 Board of Directors Election Results

TMA & SDM Logos

Becklar, Elite & Puget Win 2026 TMA/SDM Monitoring Center Excellence Awards

SDM Dealer of the Year 2026 Promotion

Poll

What’s the most promising trend in the industry?

What’s the most promising trend in the industry?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Physical Security Assessment Handbook An Insider’s Guide to Securing a Business

Physical Security Assessment Handbook An Insider’s Guide to Securing a Business

See More Products
SDM 100 2026 Rankings

Related Articles

  • Test Your Commercial Security Alarm Know-How

    See More
  • 5-Minute Tech Quiz: Test Your Sprinkler Skills

    See More
  • 5 min quiz 2019

    Test your smoke and fire alarm knowledge

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • security culture.webp

    Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

  • 150 things.jpg

    Physical Security: 150 Things You Should Know 2nd Edition

  • 1119490936.jpg

    Solving Cyber Risk: Protecting Your Company and Society

See More Products
×

Be in the forefront of security intelligence when you receive SDM.

Join over 10,000+ professionals when you subscribe today.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing