Remote reset of security alarm using iPhone

[Bizair]

Hi All

I have had a NX-12 alarm system installed for the past 8 years. Very reliable. However, since I stated using an iPhone as my mobile, when the system sends a call to the phone indicating that we have had an alarm at home I cannot reset the sector (usually caused by a fly or spider) by pressing the # key on my iPhone. This does not happen often, probably 3-4 times in the past. Before I had the iPhone I was using an old Nokia non-smart mobile and the # sector reset worked on that phone.

I was wondering whether anybody has had the same problem on any security system with a phone communicator and iPhone.

Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks
Ken

[downunderdan]

I'm interested how you know it's a spider or fly.

Assuming it's so common, it is time for you to replace your detectors with something less prone to false alarms.

[Bizair]

I'm interested how you know it's a spider or fly.

Assuming it's so common, it is time for you to replace your detectors with something less prone to false alarms.

Advised by a builder that spiders and blowflies crawling over an infrared sensor are the most common cause of false alarms in home systems. Seemed to make sense. I was not aware that there were sensors immune from this type of problem. Happy to be set straight.

Is 3-4 times over eight years classed as unreliable? Again, any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[watchdog]

Back in my early days in this industry , when I encountered this type of problem for the first time , I had access to some pretty good test equipment and this is what I found. The mobile network only needs a couple of uS of command tones to be able to do its job. The alarm panel usually requires a second (or more) of tone to do its job. When you press the # button for 2 seconds your smart (arse) phone decides it doesn't need to send 2 seconds of tone and abbreviates it down to the required couple of uS which is unsuitable for your alarm panel.
* note the times used above are for demonstration purposes only.

I haven't encountered the problem for some time & thought it must have been resolved as alarms are not the only thing using DTMF over the network

[downunderdan]

Advised by a builder that spiders and blowflies crawling over an infrared sensor are the most common cause of false alarms in home systems.

They can be a prolific cause of false alarms (and newer detectors are certainly far less susceptible to the problem). However, my question was how you knew it was a 'false alarm' and not a genuine activation.

Having seen too many $150 alarms installed in $4M houses, my suggestion would be never to ask me how to restump a house and never to ask Bob the Builder about electronic security :-)

[watchdog]

I know LOTS of people blame spiders for false alarms but guess what, spiders are poikilothermus which means they take on the temperature of the environment they are in. This "should" mean they are invisible to a PIR.

[PANDATECH]

Try * to acknowledge the alarm - wait for the siren tone to pause first.

[Pyro]

spiders may be 'invisible' but crawling right over the lens or sensor would change the IR signature of the room, as it's seen by the sensor.

[watchdog]

point taken

[Pyro]

poikilothermus!, haven't heard that since high school biology.

[MCman]

Had an installer go off about this to me. Pet sensors were still picking up his dog he said....and it was on a tiny lap dog.
So drove 2hours out of Adelaide to appease him. One side of the room was detector and in the middle of the room was chair with dog sitting right on top and when he jumps to top of chair it goes off he said.
No I said, the fireplace behind the chair is the issue, the blocks the fireplace, then unblocks it.. I think this could the issue. He said "can fireplaces set them off like that?"
I just said you need to move the sensor because I wasnt sure that if I didnt say that they might try move the fireplace.

You will rarely get a false alarm if the sensor is in the right place.

Ken, check your dial tone length on your iphone. Also have you swapped to NBN or have ADSL ? Maybe you need a filter ?

[AdRock]

What Pandatech said, wait for a break in the siren tone, then press #. Have had this same problem

[downunderdan]

I can't recall where but there was a post to some forum from a woman at her wits end saying she lived 36 stories up, had pet immune sensors but her cats were still setting them off, asking for a permanent solution.

I suggested leaving the windows open for a few days.

[PANDATECH]

Panda tech has 7 cats and never leaves his windows open.

[weirdo]

Panda tech has 7 cats and never leaves his windows open.

must be a smelly household mate

[downunderdan]

I have also to be an effective hardware based solution to false alarms caused by cats.