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Wireless Home Security 101 – How to Bypass an Alarm Sensor

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August 22, 2011

Wireless Home Security 101 – How to Bypass an Alarm Sensor

Alarm systems can do amazing things these days. The technology leaders (including FrontPoint) have added remote arm/disarm, event notifications by text or email, on-line history, mobile apps, video services, and now home automation (think lights, locks, and even thermostats). We’ve entered a new era of expanded home security, where more people than ever appreciate the convergence of protection, convenience, and control. But with all the new and advanced features and functions, there are still some basic aspects of how alarm systems work that people ask about on a regular basis. One of these functions is arming your system with one of the sensors “bypassed,” usually a door/window sensor, or a motion sensor.

Bypassing a Sensor – What It Means

Let’s say you want to use your alarm system, but you have a door or window, or general area that you want to treat differently, and still arm the rest of the system. There are numerous reasons why you might want to do this, such as the following:

  • You want to be able to open and close a specific window during the night, while your system is armed.
  • You want to bypass a certain motion sensor so that a person or pet can move through an area without creating an alarm event.
  • While you are making repairs or renovations to your home, a sensor may be temporarily displaced – and you still want to use your system to protect the rest of the house.

How to Bypass a Sensor with a FrontPoint System

Bypassing a sensor on a FrontPoint system is remarkably easy – thanks to the fact that we use GE Security components, the best wireless alarm equipment in the industry. They also have the easiest “user interface,” which results in fewer false alarms. Here are the instructions for bypassing a sensor:

 

Other Helpful Information from FrontPoint

I’ve written often on the best ways to get the most out of your home security, and here are links to several of those posts:

FrontPoint is your best resource for the latest in security news, technology and the peace of mind that comes from protecting your home and family. With alarm systems that are safer, smarter, simpler, more affordable, and virtually impossible to defeat, FrontPoint is more than just another alarm company – we're the recognized leader in wireless home security all across the US. You can always depend on us to give you the straight scoop, along with world-class service, whether you’re bypassing a sensor or setting up your FrontPoint system to send you texts or emails, or motion activated video clips from your wireless cameras. Have a question about home security? Ask FrontPoint!

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Comments
Catherine
September 16, 2011
Hi, We currently have frontpoint. What do we have to have to get the home savings on our insurance, how would we use a panic type button on the system and what could we (or do we need to do) so the thing has a more audible siren/type thing in the event of an event. Thanks, Catherine
Peter M. Rogers
September 21, 2011
Catherine - thanks for your question. Once you have activated your FrontPoint system, just contact the Support team, and ask them for an Insurance Certificate for your home. They'll email you a standard document (in pdf format) that describes your system and the services you receive from us. Please remember that you generally get the biggest discount for a system that is monitored for fire and environmental conditions, depending on where you live and who your carrier is. The good news is that FrontPoint does not add monthly fees for these "extra" monitoring services, the way many alarm companies do.
Serafin
September 21, 2011
Peter - You left unanswered the "what could we (or do we need to do) so the thing has a more audible siren/type thing in the event of an event" question. I'm alos interested... Thanks!
Peter M. Rogers
September 21, 2011
Thanks for pointing that out! The GE Security Simon XT control unit has a built-in siren that is roughly 100 db - quite loud in the home. In the past (especially when alarm systems were often not monitored, and depended solely on audible devices) there were external sirens that were intended to have the same effect as car alarms were originally designed to have. Sadly, external home alarm sirens are just about as useful as car alarms are today: most people consider them a nuisance, and do their best to ignore them. In fact, a growing number of jurisdictions have passed "noise pollution" ordinances that make it a punishable offense to have an external siren activated. GE Security (our equipment provider) is working on a wireless siren that can be used in conjunction with our system - but it's also meant for internal use. We'll announce that to our customers when it's available, and probably add it to our web site.
Catherine
September 16, 2011
Hi, We currently have frontpoint. What do we have to have to get the home savings on our insurance, how would we use a panic type button on the system and what could we (or do we need to do) so the thing has a more audible siren/type thing in the event of an event. Thanks, Catherine
Peter M. Rogers
September 21, 2011
Catherine - thanks for your question. Once you have activated your FrontPoint system, just contact the Support team, and ask them for an Insurance Certificate for your home. They'll email you a standard document (in pdf format) that describes your system and the services you receive from us. Please remember that you generally get the biggest discount for a system that is monitored for fire and environmental conditions, depending on where you live and who your carrier is. The good news is that FrontPoint does not add monthly fees for these "extra" monitoring services, the way many alarm companies do.
Serafin
September 21, 2011
Peter - You left unanswered the "what could we (or do we need to do) so the thing has a more audible siren/type thing in the event of an event" question. I'm alos interested... Thanks!
Peter M. Rogers
September 21, 2011
Thanks for pointing that out! The GE Security Simon XT control unit has a built-in siren that is roughly 100 db - quite loud in the home. In the past (especially when alarm systems were often not monitored, and depended solely on audible devices) there were external sirens that were intended to have the same effect as car alarms were originally designed to have. Sadly, external home alarm sirens are just about as useful as car alarms are today: most people consider them a nuisance, and do their best to ignore them. In fact, a growing number of jurisdictions have passed "noise pollution" ordinances that make it a punishable offense to have an external siren activated. GE Security (our equipment provider) is working on a wireless siren that can be used in conjunction with our system - but it's also meant for internal use. We'll announce that to our customers when it's available, and probably add it to our web site.
Chad
May 9, 2013
Any update on the wireless siren?
Peter M. Rogers
May 15, 2013
Chad - thanks for your question. While we do not sell a wireless siren today, we are aware of one that is supported by our system, and we can direct you to where you can get one. We'll also help you (remotely) get it up and working, and programmed into your FrontPoint system. Just contact the folks in our Support department, and they'll be happy to help you. Thanks!
Chad
May 9, 2013
Any update on the wireless siren?
Peter M. Rogers
May 15, 2013
Chad - thanks for your question. While we do not sell a wireless siren today, we are aware of one that is supported by our system, and we can direct you to where you can get one. We'll also help you (remotely) get it up and working, and programmed into your FrontPoint system. Just contact the folks in our Support department, and they'll be happy to help you. Thanks!
Kenny
September 26, 2013
How many exterior cameras and indoor sirens can the frontpoint system support?
Peter M. Rogers
October 2, 2013
Kenny - Thanks for your question. We normally support up to four cameras (inside or outside, it does not matter) - and as for indoor sirens, the panel has one built in (quite loud!), and can support one more additional siren. While we do not sell the additional siren, we can direct you to where you can purchase it - and we do support it (and provide remote assistance for programming the siren to the panel). For more detail, please contact our Sales team, and they can answer all your question in more detail. Thanks again.
Kenny
September 26, 2013
How many exterior cameras and indoor sirens can the frontpoint system support?
Peter M. Rogers
October 2, 2013
Kenny - Thanks for your question. We normally support up to four cameras (inside or outside, it does not matter) - and as for indoor sirens, the panel has one built in (quite loud!), and can support one more additional siren. While we do not sell the additional siren, we can direct you to where you can purchase it - and we do support it (and provide remote assistance for programming the siren to the panel). For more detail, please contact our Sales team, and they can answer all your question in more detail. Thanks again.
Ernest Leggett
June 3, 2015
I got the information from your customer service rep on a wireless siren. Is there also a WIRED siren that is available?
Gilbert Cho
June 4, 2015
Hey Ernest, unfortunately, there's no wired siren available. May I ask why you prefer a wired siren over or a wireless one? I'd like to help you find a solution.
home security
February 20, 2016
We're a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
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