Alarm Systems Need to ‘Speak’ to Users
Annunciating System Conditions
While many alarm systems are becoming more intelligent with alphanumeric displays, there is still a need for simple 
on/off or multicolor remote LED annunciators. Technicians with a basic understanding of DC circuits can take a couple of spare wires and install remote indicators that show the status of an alarm system function. One of my favorite suppliers of annunciator devices is Deer Park, N.Y.-based Alarm Controls (www.alarmcontrols.com). The company has a large selection of remote LED annunciators, key switch (yes, they still make them) stations, piezo sounders and delayed egress remotes.
One of the downsides to remote annunciators is that you need power, though often minimal, for the LED devices. There may be times when you want a control pushbutton but do not have source power; this might be in the case of a wireless alarm transmitter. Alarm Controls has a pushbutton switch, sometimes called a shadow switch, with a built-in mechanical indicator and requires no power (see Tool Pick of the month).
One of the feedback advantages of multiple-zone indictors is that, at a quick glance, they display the status of many alarm points. The console is dedicated to this and nothing else. It is not on a PC being shared with other objects and icons. The performance of such an annunciator system is kept simple and reliable. A console of zone indicators has a very small wall footprint and is one reason it is still popular for applications such as nurse and health-care stations. A manufacturer of multizone remote annunciators that has been providing such products for decades is Sarasota, Fla.-based Salco Industries (www.salco.com). The company also has a specialty line of museum security equipment.
A popular method of arming/disarming residential alarm systems is the wireless remote. Since these devices work similar to automotive locking/alarm remotes, they are easy and familiar for customers to operate. However, the big question is have you given the customer any feedback when the system is armed on the perimeter?
One popular method is to have an outside siren provide an audible beep when the system has responded to the remote arm/disarm. Some wireless remotes, such as the Honeywell Security 5800 Series wireless remote family (www.security.honeywell.com), are bidirectional and provide the status of the alarm system in plain English. This is a good example of creative system feedback.
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