All the components of your security system are connected to your central control panel – the brains of the system. The control panel communicates with the monitoring centre via a communication line, like your phone line or a digital wireless network. Depending on the type of system that is installed in your home, the control panel may be in the basement, separate from the keypad, or it could be integrated into the keypad.

Monitor the various sensors in your home for activity. Security monitoring devices used to protect your home from intrusion and burglary must be armed before they are monitored. Home monitoring devices and sensors used for fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, extreme temperature changes, and flood detection are always monitoring, regardless if the system is armed or not.

If a sensor is tripped and no valid user code is entered into the keypad within a specified time, an alarm signal is sent from your alarm monitoring system to the monitoring centre, where operators jump into action.