DSC Troubleshooting

Random or miscellaneous beeps throughout a premise are commonly mistaken to be associated with the security system. Your keypad will display any troubles. If you do not see any troubles on the keypad and or it shows that the system is ready to arm, then the beeping is most likely from something else on the premise such as an existing battery operated smoke or CO detector and it is letting you know that it is time to replace the 9-volt battery inside. Please make sure that this is not the case before requesting for service to avoid an unnecessary service call.

DSC Keypad
Panels: Most DSC Panels
Arm: Enter Code OR Press Stay or Away button for 2 seconds Disarm: Enter Code Check Faulted Zones: For alpha keypad, Press [>] key to scroll through open zones. Smoke Detector Reset:

PC2550

1. Press [#] to silence alarm
2. Press [*][4] (hold down the 4 for several seconds) to reset smoke detectors.

DSC4020

1. Enter valid code to silence, then
2. Enter valid code to reset smokes.

PC1550

1. Press [#] to silence
2. Press [*][7] to reset smokes.

DSC4010

1. Enter access code to silence alarm.
2. Press [*][4] to reset smokes.

PC5010 (Power 832)

1. Press [#] to silence
2. With LED keypad, press [*][7][2] to reset smokes.

With alpha keypad, press [*] to enter Function List > scroll with arrow keys to find “Output Control” > The display will read “Select Output” > Scroll with arrow  keys to find “Sensor Reset” > press the [*] key to reset smokes.

Change code: [*][5] + Master Code + user number 01 to 32 + new access code (4 digits).
Press the [#] key to exit the Menu. Bypass Zone(s): Enter [*][1] + zone number to be bypassed (1-digit zone #)

My alarm is going off and I can’t get it to turn off.

1. Go to the security system panel box usually found in the basement or closet. Open the panel box & locate the battery.
2. Unplug the security system power supply transformer.
3. Then disconnect or pull off one of the wires that is attached to the battery in the alarm control box. This will power down the security system. Once you have done this, contact us to schedule service.

Follow the input sequence below. Only the master code will work for this. This is time sensitive; you will need to push a button every second all the way through the sequence.

(*5, MASTER CODE, 40, NEW CODE, #)
The keypad will give a short beep as confirmation.

• To add a user code you will first have to assign a user number to the person/group you want to give the code to. The user number is any number between 1 and 72 (minus 40). Once you have done this follow the sequence below.
  (*5, MASTER CODE, TWO DIGIT USER NUMBER, USER CODE, #)
  The keypad will give a short beep as confirmation
• To change a user code simply follow the steps above and insert a new 4 digit user code.
• To delete a user code, follow the steps below.
  (*5, MASTER CODE, TWO DIGIT USER NUMBER, *, #)
  The keypad will give a short beep as confirmation
• If you need assistance call our office during normal business hours and one of our programmers will gladly assist you.

Several things can affect your ability to arm your system. The first place to look is your keypad. Is the green light lit on your keypad? If not see below. If it is on, are you using the correct code? Are you using the correct arming sequence? See below.

My keypad is displaying an amber Triangle.
Enter *2 and compare against the troubleshooting chart on page 8 of the user manual, or page 10 of the pdf user manual. Below is a brief explanation of the most commonly found issues.

• 3 Telephone line fault; The system has detected a telephone line fault.
• For cellular service customers: Cellular service may be interrupted for short periods of time due to reasons such as cellular tower maintenance and, atmospheric interference.  Please test the system (see below) to see if service has been restored. Attempt the test again if unsuccessful after an hour.
• 4 Indicates that a failure has occurred in the telephone communication portion of your system. Please test the system (see below) to see if service has been restored.
• 8 Loss of clock information. To reset the clock enter (*6, MASTER CODE, 1,) and then enter the time (in 24 hr format) followed by the date. HH/MM, MM/DD/YY and then push #. EX. 4:12 pm on December 23, 2019 would be: 16/12, 12/23/17.

Call the monitoring center at 1-919-460-5995. You will need to supply them with your account number and your password. Ask them to put your account on test for one hour. (Longer if you feel it is necessary. Be aware that the system will automatically come out of test at the end of this time; and while it is in test the monitoring center will not call anyone when they receive a signal.) Test your system by arming it, and then setting it off by opening a door/ window or walking through a motion area. Allow the siren to stay on for about 45 seconds and then turn the system off. Be sure to reset the system after you turn it off. Call the monitoring center and ask them what signals they have received. Once they have successfully received the signals, ask them to take your system out of test. If no signals were received send us a request for service. “FC” will appear on your keypad shortly.

Entering *2 will display the trouble condition. Please take note of it and compare against the user manual chart (see above). This will silence the condition until it can be resolved.

Enter the “OFF” sequence twice. (4 digit master code+1)

You may have an issue with your communications method.

If you have traditional phone lines, check to see if your home phones are functional. If they are not, open your main security panel  (it is a beige metal box usually found in your basement or in a closet that usually has an American Alarms Security decal on it.)

Inside you will see a 2-inch by 2-inch beige square device with a large phone plug connected to one end of it.

Unplug this and you will remove the security system from the phone line. If this resolves the issue, contact us to schedule service. If this does not resolve the issue, the security system is not interfering with your phone or DSL/Internet connection, and you should contact your telephone provider.

• If you have VOIP phones (Comcast, Att , etc.) follow the steps above. Try the test a second time after about a half hour. Because of the nature of VOIP phones it may be that local bandwidth usage impaired the signal sent.
• If you are using a Cellular/Radio communications method, try retesting after a half hour. If there is still no response contact us.

***Some alarms have built in delay dialing of up to a 45 seconds to prevent accidental police dispatches we can sometimes adjust these just ask.

Your user manual is an excellent source of information on your system. It goes into much more detail than we have the space for in the Troubleshooting FAQs.  For your convenience we have included downloadable copies (PDF format) for the systems we offer.

When a zone is not closed the green light will remain off until it has been closed. Push and hold the OPEN button (open door button on the lower right) the keypad will then display the zone/s that are open. Check to be sure that the items on the zone are closed securely. If they appear to be shut securely and the light is still off, try opening and closing them again. Sometimes the item appears shut but is not shut all the way. (This is especially true of window contacts.) If none of these suggestions work, please contact us for service via the link at the left. We will then contact you to schedule your service call.

There are four different ways to arm your system. An explanation follows each setting.

• Away– Press and hold the Away button (empty house, 2nd from top on the right.) or Enter code and leave through an entry door. Arms all devices and allows for entry and exit time.
• Stay-Press and hold the Stay button (man in house button, at top on right.) or Enter code and DO NOT open any door. Arms the system with the motion detectors off and allows an entry delay.
• Instant– Add *9 after either of the arming methods above. This setting removes the entry delay. It allows you to leave BUT, does not allow an entry delay (nighttime setting).

4 digit code turns the entire system off.