ESA Certified Alarm Technician Practice Exam

What is the first test you should conduct when testing a digital communicator?

1. A non-emergency code

2. An emergency code

3. A code that simulates an alarm

4. A silent test

The correct answer is: A non-emergency code

When testing a digital communicator, starting with a non-emergency code is a standard practice. This initial test ensures that the communicator is functioning properly without the need for an immediate alarm response. It allows the technician to verify the communication path and confirm that the device can successfully transmit a signal to the monitoring station without triggering any actual alarms or causing unnecessary concern. By choosing a non-emergency code, you can effectively assess the integrity of the communicator and make sure it is properly set up to handle further testing. It acts as a safeguard to ensure that any potential issues can be identified and resolved before more critical testing is conducted. Conducting tests using emergency codes or tests that simulate alarms can provoke responses that may not be warranted and can complicate the testing process. A silent test, while valuable, does not verify the communicator’s capability to transmit necessary data to the monitoring station. Thus, the non-emergency code serves as a prudent first step in the testing process.