| Access Control |
Can be an integrated or standalone system to allow access to entry and exit points with the use of Tokens, Cards and Key-Fobs etc. |
| Area |
An area is one or more zones grouped together for greater security system flexibility. |
| Back-to-base |
Is the terminology used to describe the communication between a security system and the monitoring company who are notified of any alarms and problems. Back-to-base monitoring is optional and incurs a fee if used, however this feature normally attracts discounts from insurance organisations. |
| Bullet |
Is a descriptive term used for a security camera and the way it looks. Generally an external camera mounted on an arm. |
| BNC |
Bayonet Neill Concelman connector used to terminate RG59 cable for use with security cameras. |
| Cat5e |
Category 5e cable is a twisted pair high signal integrity cable. Most Category-5 cables are unshielded, relying on the twisted pair design for noise rejection. |
| Cat6 |
Category 6 cable is a twisted pair high signal integrity cable and is capable of Gigabit Ethernet speeds. |
| Cat6a |
Category 6a is a cable slightly thicker then Cat6 capable of data speed up to 10Gb/s. |
| CCD |
Instead of film, a digital camera has a sensor that converts light into electrical charges. The image sensor employed by most digital cameras is a charge coupled device. |
| CCTV | Closed-Circuit Television |
| Dome |
Is a descriptive term used for a security camera and the way it looks. Internal and external cameras representing the shape of a dome. |
| DVR |
Digital Video Recorder (security system recorder) |
| External PIR |
A Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR Sensor) used outside of a premises. |
| F-Type |
Is one connection type used to terminate RG6 cable. |
| Flame Detector | A device that can detect the frequency of a flame to generate a security system trigger or alarm. |
| GB |
Data storage unit describing size - 1 x Gigabyte = 1024Mb = 1048576Kb |
| GPRS |
General Packet Radio Service. A standard for wireless communications which runs at speeds up to 115 kilobits per second. GPRS is much like GSM but with a much higher bandwidth. |
| GSM |
Global System for Mobile Communication. The mobile communication standard. Used to communicate with a security alarm or surveillance system to send and receive commands by communication other than by traditional telephone line. |
| HD |
High Definition in Australia this is the terminology used to describe video quality exceeding 720 horizontal lines. |
| HDD |
Hard Disc Drive - Hardware used to store data, consisting of magnetic rotating discs (platers) HDD's are non-volatile random access memory. |
| HDMI |
High Definition Multimedia Interface is a compact audio/video digital interface for transferring uncompressed digital audio/video data. |
| HDSDI |
High Definition Serial Digital Interface a high quality security camera system technology for excellent security video detail in HD (1080p). Perfect for upgrading without the need to run new cables as this technology runs on coaxial cable. |
| IP |
Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol used for relaying data over a network or internet. This is a digital protocol also used for security system video transmission and camera control. |
| IR |
Infra Red - The illumination technology used on cameras to illuminate dark and poorly lit areas. |
| Key Fob | Is the remote control used to control a security alarm system as well as possible attached devices to the security alarm system. |
| Keypad |
Used to arm and disarm a security system. |
| LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display. A technology used in TV screens and monitors. LCD is a common name for a display TV, monitor or screen. |
| Mega Pixel |
This is the way resolution is calculated on digital security cameras - exactly the same way resolution is calculated on a digital photo cameras. (1 mega pixel = 1 million pixels) |
| Panel |
The main board of a security system. |
| PIN |
Personal Identification Number used for arming and disarming a security alarm system. (Generally 4 or 6 digits.) |
| PIR |
Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR sensor) is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view, most commonly referred to as motion detectors. |
| Pixel |
Is one dot of an image in its smallest form, usually refering to a dot on an LCD Screen or digital display. Pixel is combination of the words: picture and element. |
| Pizo |
The technology used in internal sirens to amplify an audible alarm to extreme decibels. |
| Prox |
Proximity control is when access control devices such as cards and tokens are used to unlock, open or trigger a door and/or arm and disarm a security alarm system. |
| NVR | Network Video Recorder (Security system recorder - for IP based security systems.) |
| Reed Switch | Is a device that magnetically detects 2 items coming together to generate a security system trigger or alarm. Generally used on doors, windows and roller doors to detect them being open or closed. |
| Remote Access | Accessing your security system from anywhere in the world other then locally. Commonly referred to as connecting remotely. |
| Remote Connection | Accessing your security system from anywhere in the world other then locally. Commonly referred to as connecting remotely. |
| RG6 |
Coaxial Cable primarily used for video signal transfer. |
| RG59 |
Slightly thinner then RG6, RG59 is also Coaxial Cable primarily used for video signal transfer. |
| Shatter Detector |
A device that can detect the frequency of breaking glass to generate a security system trigger or alarm. |
| Siren |
The siren is the device to alert persons by an audible alarm usually at extremely high decibels. |
| Smoke Detector |
A device that can detect smoke and generate a security system trigger or alarm. |
| SSD |
Solid State Drives is a data storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently. SSD technology uses electronic interfaces compatible with traditional block input/output (I/O) hard disk drives. SSDs do not employ any moving mechanical components, which distinguishes them from traditional magnetic disks such as hard disk drives (HDDs). |
| STP |
Shielded Twisted Pair cable type. |
| Strobe |
The visual element of an alarm generally used externally of the premises. Also used to alert owners that an alarm has occurred. |
| TB |
Data storage unit describing size. (1 x Terabyte = 1024Gb = 1048576Mb) |
| Token |
Is an item used (generally shaped like a token) to arm and disarm a security system or used for access control. |
| TVL |
Television lines used to describe resolution quality on analogue cameras. |
| USB |
Universal Serial Bus used to connect peripherals such as keyboard and mouse to computer based devices such as computers and digital video recorders (DVR). |
| UTP |
Unshielded Twisted Pair cable type. |
| Varifocal |
is a security camera lens feature allowing the user to zoom in and out and also allow them to focus accordingly. |
| Wi-Fi |
Technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data wirelessly. |
| Zone |
A zone is often a single device used to secure an area. A zone can be represented by a PIR, smoke detector, door reed, etc. |
