ESA Certified Alarm Technician Practice Exam

What type of audible device can be either polarized or non-polarized and is usually continuous vibrating?

1. Bells

2. Speakers

3. Horns

4. Chimes

The correct answer is: Horns

Horns are designed as audible signaling devices capable of generating a loud sound to attract attention, making them a common choice in alarm and security systems. They can operate using either a polarized or non-polarized configuration, allowing flexibility in how they are installed within various wiring setups. The continuous vibrating feature of horns, when activated, creates a robust and distinct sound, ideal for alerting individuals to an emergency or securing an area. Other devices like bells, speakers, and chimes serve different functions in signaling and alerting but typically do not exhibit both the characteristics of being able to operate in a polarized or non-polarized configuration and producing a continuous vibrating sound. For instance, bells are often designed for a specific response rather than continuous operation, while speakers function primarily to reproduce sound rather than create a loud alert. Chimes tend to produce melodic tones rather than the consistent and urgent sound characteristic of horns.