AHS has been installing DSC Alarm systems since 1988. While we have a few other
types of alarms out there, more than 99.9% are DSC. So, for the most part, the
following troubleshooting guide applies to all AHS alarms.
I need an alarm
manual!
I just moved into a new home with an AHS security system
installed. What do I do?
My alarm keeps beeping and it’s really annoying.
My alarm keeps beeping, but the trouble or system
light on my keypad is not lit.
Didn’t AHS install the smoke detectors in our house?
How
do I change the alarm’s battery? Is the battery important?
I can’t set my alarm. There is no green light.
How do I bypass a zone?
The word “OPEN” appears on my keypad every once in a while, but there is nothing
open. Is my alarm not working right?
I set off my alarm by accident. What do I do?
My system keeps having false alarms. What should I do?
The police were dispatched to my home for a false alarm,
and now they sent me a bill.
It might be important to
know what model number DSC alarm you have. This would be located on the main
panel, which is a metal 12” by12” box or smaller, usually secured with a cam
lock and key and probably located in a closet. If you do not know what model
number your alarm is, you can look at your keypad and refer to this table.
You can also click on the link beneath the keypad to download a manual for your
system.
We have created a one-page
"cheat sheet" for our two most popular systems.
System
Manuals
 
DSC PC1616 or DSC
PC1832
"Cheat Sheet"
DSC
PC5010 or DSC Power 832
"Cheat
Sheet"
DSC PC1555 or DSC Power 632
"Cheat
Sheet"
DSC PC1500 or DSC PC1550
 with system light --
DSC PC1555 or DSC Power 632
DSC
PC 3000
DSC
PC2550
DSC PC1000
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General Troubleshooting
I just moved into a new home with an AHS security system installed. What do
I do?
First of all, congratulations! We’re happy to help you get your system set up for your
needs. If you do not know a user code to the security system, do not attempt to
arm or use the system. AHS provides complimentary demonstrations of
our
security systems…that’s right, no charge, no strings.
If something on the system
needs to be repaired, there will be a small service charge for the work, or if a
battery needs replacing, you can purchase one from us. If you are
interested in AHS monitoring services, we will waive this service charge.
Otherwise, give us a call
and set up an appointment for an AHS technician to show you how to properly use
the alarm.
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My alarm keeps beeping and it’s really annoying.
Yes, we know. If you
press the # key on the keypad, the
beeping should stop. Then you’ll notice the “trouble” light or “system” light
is on. Press * 2.
Depending on the keypad, either a number will be displayed on the screen or one
of the zone lights will light up. The most common reason is the back-up battery
needs to be replaced.
If a number
1 appears, it is probably time to change the battery.
If a 2
appears, it means the main power to the alarm is off. If there is a power
outage, simply wait for the power to come back on. There is no interruption in
your service and your battery will charge back up after the power comes back on.
If a 3
appears, check your telephones. This means the telephone signal to the alarm
has been disrupted and the alarm cannot use the phone to call out. Once the
phone signal has been restored the trouble light will clear.
If a 4
appears, it means communication failure. This can happen along with number 3.
If your phones aren’t working and your alarm is set off, the system will fail to
communicate. Another reason this may happen is a change in your phone or
Internet service. For instance, if you use DSL,
we need to install a DSL filter on the alarm system. Changing to Internet based or TV cable based phone
systems can also cause your alarm to fail to communicate. Call us for
assistance if you’ve had changes to your phone service.
If a 5, 6,
or 7 appear, you should probably call us for service. This is pretty rare
except if you have a system that includes wireless products. If you have
wireless window and door sensors, wireless motion detectors, or other wireless
devices the batteries need to be replaced every 3 to 5 years. The trouble light
is calling your attention to the need to change the batteries. Be careful
changing these batteries, as it is possible to damage the sensors. Please call
us if you need assistance.
If an 8
appears, you need to reset the system clock. This can occur if you have the
power off the alarm for more than a few hours and the battery failed. Click here to learn how to reset your clock.
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My
alarm keeps beeping, but the trouble or system light on my keypad is not lit.
Press the # key on your keypad…Hear that sound? That is
the only beeping sound your alarm can make. If it is a different sound you are
hearing, it is not the alarm, but something else in your house. The smoke
detectors typically installed in houses have a high-pitched beep that seems to
come from whatever room you’re not standing in. Try changing the batteries in
the smoke detectors to get rid of the beeping.
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Didn’t AHS install the smoke detectors in our
house?
Probably not.
Although, if you are interested in adding fire protection to your security
system, we can for an additional charge. If the smoke detector is beeping and has 9 volt batteries to
replace, we did not install it and it is not part of your security system.
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How
do I change the alarm’s battery? Is the battery important?
The alarm’s back-up
battery is used when your main power is interrupted (power outages, etc.) Your
alarm will continue to operate perfectly fine when the power is out, so long as
your back-up battery is in good condition. While the battery is rechargeable,
it does have a life-span of approximately 3 to 5 years. The battery is located
in your alarm panel, the 12” by 12" metal cabinet located usually in a closet.
Most of our AHS alarm panels are kept closed with a lock and key. Please
contact us if you do not have your key. To remove the battery, simply pull out
the red and black wires from the battery terminals. You may have to wiggle
these a bit, but there should be no reason for any tools, and you cannot be
shocked by doing this. Bring the battery to our shop if you would like us to
dispose of it properly. You may also bring the battery to the San Joaquin
County Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility in Stockton. Do NOT discard the
battery in the trash unless you hate baby seals and trees.
Once you replace your old
battery with a new battery (any 12V alarm battery should be fine), your trouble
light will should turn off. This may take 5 to 15 minutes.
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I
can’t set my alarm. There is no green light.
Make sure all your doors
and windows that are on the alarm are closed. If you don’t know what “zone” is
open, press the # key or use the < > keys (depending on the type of keypad you have)
to scroll through the open zones. The open zone(s) will be displayed on the
screen. If your doors and windows are closed and you still show the zone open,
please call us for service. In the meantime, you can Bypass that zone to get a
green light and set the alarm.
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How do I bypass a zone?
If you know what zone
number you wish to bypass, or “shunt”, you can do the following: Press * and then 1. Enter the two digit zone number (e.g.
02 for zone 2). Then press the # key.
If you have a DSC PC1500
or PC1550 keypad, do not use a two-digit zone number. Press * 1, then the zone number, then #.
You should now have a
green “ready” light and you should be able to arm your alarm. (Note: The area
you bypassed is unprotected by the alarm system, all other zones are.) Once you
disarm the system, anything bypassed will once again be back on the alarm. So
you will need to repeat this process every time you arm your alarm.
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The word “OPEN” appears on my keypad every once in a while, but there is
nothing open. Is my alarm not working right?
No. If the word “OPEN”
appears but your green ready light is still on, it means someone is walking in
front of a motion detector. The “OPEN” refers to an open zone. This is normal,
and you can ignore it.
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I set off my alarm by accident. What do I do?
Enter your code to turn
off the alarm. If your alarm is monitored, the Central Station should call you
within a minute or so to check if the alarm is false. You will need to give
them your password to identify yourself as an authorized user of the alarm. If
you don’t hear from the Central Station within a minute or two, you should call
the Central Station to make sure the police or sheriff is not dispatched to your
residence or business. Call 1-800-367-1091.
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My system keeps having false alarms. What should I
do?
Your alarm needs service.
Please call our office and make an appointment for repair. Statistically, false
alarms as a fault of your system are rare. However, we take any false alarms
seriously and, if your alarm is monitored, we will repair it at no charge to
you.
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The police were dispatched to my home for a false alarm, and now they sent
me a bill.
Most cities and counties
have alarm ordinances and permit requirements for alarm systems. Click here for your alarm permit requirements.
The police and sheriff
are the authorities that are dispatched for the monitored alarm systems, and
false alarms are considered a nuisance to their departments. You, as the alarm
operator and we as the alarm installers, have a responsibility to keep false
alarms to a minimum. Your responsibility is to make sure you know how to
properly operate your system and to report to the Central Station when you have
a false alarm. Our responsibility is to make sure you know how to properly
operate your system and to maintain your alarm. Together we can make sure your
alarm is not a nuisance to the police or sheriff department.
If you have a false alarm
that is a fault of your system, please let us know. If we repair your alarm and
it has another false alarm and you are billed for the incident, call our
office. We will pay for the second false alarm and repair your alarm again....we
stand behind our work.
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