DSC - Understanding Zone Attributes

Like most modern systems, DSC alarm panels give the installer great flexibility in determining exactly how each zone should behave. These different behaviors are set up in a section of programming known as “Zone Definitions.” It's difficult to think of a definition that isn't available, although it seems that with each new panel version, a couple of new ones appear.

There is another area of programming that is closely related to the zone definitions, and it is often misunderstood, especially by first-time installers. That area is “Zone Attributes.” Zone attributes are specific options that help determine how each definition functions, and they are automatically set as soon as the zone is defined. We have seen numerous posts on the forum from beginners who have the mistaken notion that they need to manually set the attributes for each zone. This is not only unnecessary, but likely to cause lots of problems. The one exception, of course, is the use of wireless sensors; we'll discuss that later, but at this point, our best advice is “Step away from the Zone Attributes!”

For each zone, there are twelve attributes that are part of the zone definition.

Option 1: Audible/Silent  -- If this option is ON, the siren will sound when the zone is in alarm. If it is OFF, the siren will not sound. This has no effect on whether the communicator dials out.


Option 2: Steady/Pulsed – If this option is ON, the Bell Output (siren) will provide continuous voltage until the Bell Cutoff times out. If it is OFF, the Bell Output voltage will follow a pulsing on/off pattern. This is typically how the siren separates burglary (steady) from fire (pulsed) signals. Obviously, if option 1 ( Audible/Silent) is OFF, option 2 has no effect.



Option 3: Chime/No Chime – If this option is ON, the zone will cause the keypads to “chime” (or beep) every time the zone trips, whether the system is armed or not. If it is off, the zone will not generate chimes. In order for this option to function, the Chime feature must be turned on at the keypad. If Chime is not turned on, no zones will chime, regardless of how this option is set.


Option 4: Bypass/No Bypass – If this option is ON, the end user will be able to bypass the zone. If it is OFF, the zone cannot be bypassed. A zone defined as Fire, for example, would have this option turned off, since allowing a fire zone to be bypassed would be unsafe.


Option 5: Force Arming/No Force Arming – If this option is ON, the system will ignore the zone when the system is being armed, thus allowing it to be armed even if the zone is open. If the zone closes after the system is fully armed, it will then become an active part of the system. Note: Stay/Away zones have Force Arming enabled, but they do NOT become active when closed if the system is armed in Stay mode.


Option 6: Swinger Shutdown/No Swinger Shutdown – If this option is ON, the zone will put the system into alarm if tripped; if that zone is closed (restored), it will trip the system again if opened again (this is a “swinger”). This will happen as many times as is designated in the Swinger Shutdown option under Communication Variables. If option 6 is OFF, the zone will continue to trip the system every time it is restored and re-opened. A door that has been kicked in and damaged will probably not be closed by an intruder; however, a motion detector will continue to reset itself indefinitely.


Option 7: Transmission Delay/No Transmission Delay – If this option is ON, the communicator will wait the amount of time specified in the Communication Variables section before dialing to send an alarm signal. If this option is OFF, the communicator will call immediately when the system goes into alarm. This option may help prevent false alarms, as it gives the user extra time to disarm the system once the siren sounds, possibly avoiding an unwanted call to the central station. The length of delay is set in the Communication Variables section.


Option 8: Wireless/Hardwired – If this option is ON, the zone will use a wireless sensor. If it is off, the zone will be hardwired. If a zone is set as wireless, it cannot be used for hardwired sensors. By default, this option is OFF for ALL zone definitions except 87 (Delay 24 hour Fire, wireless) and 88 (Standard 24 hour Fire, wireless). For this reason, a zone must be defined first and then made wireless. If it is done in reverse, setting the definition will switch option 8 OFF, since that is the default.


Option 9: Cross Zone/Police Code – If this option is ON, then the zone will not cause an alarm by itself. Instead, a “Cross Zone Timer” begins to count down (the pre-alarm warning will be initiated). If another zone with this attribute turned on is ALSO tripped before the timer reaches zero, then the alarm will be activated. If this option is OFF, then the zone will be able to cause an alarm without any other zone being tripped. This is intended to reduce false alarms, since it requires two violations for an alarm to occur. NOTE: to use this option, Cross Zoning must be enabled in section 018. This attribute is available on new Power Series panels, version 4.1 and above.


Option 10, 11, 12, 13: These options are not used at present on Power Series panels.


Option 14: – Normally Closed Loop – If this option is ON, then THIS ZONE will be a Normally Closed circuit, regardless of the setting in programming section 013, option 1; it will not require an End-Of-Line Resistor. If this option is OFF, the zone will follow the resistor settings in section 013.  Note: it applies only to this single zone. This attribute is available only for zones 1 through 8 and only on panels version 4.2 and higher.


Option 15: – Single End-Of-Line Resistor – If this option is ON, then THIS ZONE will require a single End-Of-Line Resistor, regardless of the setting in programming section 013. If this option is OFF, the zone will follow the resistor settings in section 013. This attribute is available only for zones 1 through 8 and only on panels version 4.2 and higher.


Option 16: – Double End-Of-Line Resistor – If this option is ON, then THIS ZONE will require double End-Of-Line Resistors, regardless of the setting in programming section 013. If this option is OFF, the zone will follow the resistor settings in section 013. This attribute is available only for zones 1 through 8 and only on panels version 4.2 and higher.

Note: If more than one option among 14, 15, and 16 is turned ON, the LOWEST NUMBER turned on will be in effect. For example, if options 14 and 15 were both turned on, that would call for both a Normally Closed Loop and an END-OF-Line Resistor on that zone. Since those two cannot coexist on the same zone, option 14 would be in effect, and option 15 would be ignored.

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Attributes 1 through 8 are available on all Power Series panels. Attributes higher than 8 are available on the new Power Series panels (Version 4.1 or 4.2 or higher), as noted above. With a few differences, they are also available on the 9047 and Alexor.

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To access the Zone Attributes, enter programming section 1XX, where XX is the two digit zone number. To access attributes 9 through 16, press 9 after entering section 1XX; at this point, numbers 1 through 8 on the keypad and on the display will represent attributes 9 through 16. Remember: setting a zone definition in section 001, 002, etc. AFTER adjusting that zone's attributes will wipe out any changes made to the attributes, since the default attributes for that definition will be reinstated.

The most common reason for changing zone attributes is converting a zone to wireless. Beyond that, it is wise for a beginner to leave the attributes alone, unless he or she has a specific and compelling need to change them, along with a clear understanding of how they work.