How does my alarm system communicate with a monitoring service?
If you are in the market for a new alarm system, you have probably found that most alarm companies advertise several things on their websites: the systems themselves, associated merchandise, and direct correspondence with emergency dispatch centers. Even though a tripped alarm alerts people in the area of a possible break-in and helps to deter criminals, many systems communicate with monitoring centers as an additional precaution. This correspondence acts as an automatic 911 call and (depending upon your system) can protect your home or your office from burglary, fire, water, and property damage in the event that you are not there or are unable to call the authorities yourself. For those of you unaware of how an alarm system corresponds with an emergency monitoring center, here is a brief overview. When someone or something sets off your alarm, the security system seizes your phone line, dials the call center, and dispatches the alarm information. Most companies allocate a short amount
