ADT is one of the leading and most reputable Home Security System companies in the USA as of now. They provide secure surveillance systems for home and business protection against intruders and other conditions. This is one of the most useful features that is implemented in many of the ADT alarm systems, and it is the chime. When activated the chime will make a sound each time the configured access points for a building for instance doors and windows are opened. I like this because it means that you can know when someone is within your compound even when the main security system is switched off.
What does the Chime do?
The ADT alarm system chime is useful for two main purposes:
- Informing you whenever there is an entrance/exit through any of the exterior doors or windows when you are within the house. It is perfect for those who would wish to be informed when their kids are coming in or going out of the house.
- Reminding you if some specific doors or Windows have been opened while the main alarm system is turned off. If you are expecting say, a cleaning service or a repair man, you can just choose the bell alone to ring without having to disable all the other security sensors. After that, you will learn when they are here.
The use of the Chime gadget To get into the Chime settings
Specific methods of the process of setting the chime will slightly differ depending on the type of ADT security system that you have. Almost all the current models of ADT systems let one have full control on all the settings options from the panel of the alarm.
If you have a touchscreen alarm panel:
- While being on the main screen, which shows the status, locate the settings icon, often in the form of a gear, and click on it. It gets the configurations of the control panel.
- Then select Options, Chime, or any close label based on the application being used. This is where you can enable or disable the chime and specify which of the zones or areas will cause it to sound.
- If you have to turn it on, choose between the options that are labeled Chime On or Enable.
- Then select the zone(s), door(s), or sensor(s) you wish the alarm to chime when opened or triggered. For instance, you may choose your main exterior doors and primary accesses, for example, depending on the building design and usage.
- Turn up or down any of the controls, if there are any that allow you to adjust the volume or tone. Some panels come with knobs where you can preset the quiet, medium, and loud volume buttons.
- Leave the settings options and turn on the chime after making all the related modifications.
For ADT alarm systems without a touchscreen:
In most cases, the numbered keypad is placed on the main alarm panel.
- Click on the master access code to bring out the settings.
- Press the button or key that also has Setting; Option or Chime written on it. It could be buttons identified as a separate Chime button.
- Switch on and off the chime by following the instructions of that certain individual’s voice and number keys. At times 1 also enables as well as disables the chime.
- Choose the zones or areas that you would want to be associated with the chime at every time they are opened.
- Click on the cross at the bottom right-hand corner to go back to the settings section and wait for a few seconds before changes are effected. I have enabled the chime feature.
Setting Chime Zones
Originally, almost all ADT systems worked with the division of the monitored area into zones. Every exterior door, window, motion detector, and any other device is assigned an individual zone number. This allows you to quickly enable chiming for specific regions easily by setting them to auto-chime. For instance, Zone 1 could be the front door while Zone 4 may be the door that leads to the kitchen directly to the back yard.
When you enable the chime, you select the zone numbers that are to play the alert tone. Ordinarily, all the doors and windows that open towards the exterior are expected to be part of the list. However, do not place it in heavily trafficked areas such as hallways or entry doors of utility rooms, to avoid being inconvenienced by the constant chimes. Show the zone chart that came with your system and help you easily select the numbers.
Realize that layouts may be updated in the future and will change the zone numbers at some point. The remaining are if you only allow zzones1 through 4 for instance, and you have additional zones such as zone 5, the latter will not chime unless the settings are modified. When it comes to choosing a range a wide one is preferable because it offers flexibility. This is where you should get to include a range of zone numbers from 1 up to 9 or even up to 25 for future additional zones. All the other zone numbers will remain idle and can be connected at a later time if needed or desired.
Daytime Chiming
The chime sounds a continuous alert whenever there is activity, which can be annoying if you spend the majority of your time at home. Fortunately, most alarm panels have provisions to turn off and turn on the chime when wanted, or at a set time.
It’s possible to schedule and define new typical weekday mode everyday schedules to turn the chime on from 9 am to 3 pm. And then, turn it off during home sleeping at night or during other night periods. The self-sufficiency works well, especially for a parent at home managing children or anybody who is at home most of the time, for instance, a freelancer or a work-from-home employee. In schedule settings, you can also change the timing to a preferable time of your choice.
In the same way, it also allows you to set the chime-only schedule for the selected days such as weekends or evenings when you are likely to be exposed to higher risks. In the absence, the main system also comes into the scene offering fully monitored security. Flexible scheduling is particularly beneficial because it makes the chime alerts only sound when they are needed. Referring to the system manual, look up the accurate programming methods.
Incredibly many ADT systems offer chimes and loudspeakers that can be heard by everyone. However, recall that alarm siren sounds intentionally radiate out to neighbors outside. To ensure that the relations are not strained and also to avoid incurring false dispatch fees; most of them only use the siren for real emergencies. That makes softer chimes suitable for use in indoor alerts as opposed to loud noisy ones suited for outdoor alerts.
More complex ADT panels often come with integrated wireless chimes as well. These dedicated modules offer louder chime alerts that can be heard across larger homes, thanks to their excellent design. Place them in the areas of the house that are often used for cooking or watching television so that any sounds made by the devices can be heard. This also ensures that the noise produced by the siren is restricted to the required area in case it has been triggered by an accident. Bluetooth alarm could have extra charges for other accessories and it may need professional help to install it.
First of all, find out as much as possible about the Chime
Enabling the chime feature is quite simple, but do not let that make you forget the testing phase to ensure that everything is in order. A few minutes should be spent to open the doors and windows one by one after activating the particular setting. This ensures that the tone is dependable as it provides full coverage of the matter being addressed. This also acquaints your family with the kind of chime sound that is used on your ADT system. This helps to prevent confusion at a later point or unnecessary response calls for events that are not emergencies.
The last and final advice is to include the chime in the user list of the alarm system. If your house is empty and you or another person like a pet sitter or a repairman needs to enter, tell them the bell will ring and they should not be scared. This basic heads-up eliminates false alarms that need a response, such as a fire alarm siren. In the long run, one will notice that chime is easy to use and hence it will make it easier when one needs to be notified of people’s arrival at home.
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