ESA Certified Alarm Technician Practice Exam

Three-dimensional, rectangular shaped devices designed to be installed with fasteners or adhesive to the surface of a door or window are called?

1. Surface mounted contacts

2. Flush mounted contacts

3. Recessed contacts

4. Magnetic contacts

The correct answer is: Surface mounted contacts

The term for three-dimensional, rectangular shaped devices that are installed with fasteners or adhesive to the surface of a door or window is surface mounted contacts. These devices are designed to detect whether a door or window is open or closed and are typically more visible compared to other types of contacts. Surface mounted contacts are advantageous because they can be easily installed without any modifications to the door or window itself, making them ideal for retrofitting existing structures. Their installation involves securing the device to the surface where it can interact with a magnet attached to the moving part of the door or window. This simplicity in installation allows for a broader range of applications. Flush mounted contacts, on the other hand, are installed within the frame of the door or window, requiring more complex installation and potentially altering the structure. Recessed contacts are similar as they are embedded into the frame, offering a more discreet appearance but demanding more effort during installation. While magnetic contacts are a broader category encompassing both surface and recessed types, they do not specifically refer to devices installed on the surface. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why surface mounted contacts are the correct answer for this question.