How Does a Security System Connect to the Telephone Line?
First developed in the early 1970's, digital communicators and regular telephone lines are a reliable and inexpensive communication method now used by the majority of monitored security systems throughout the USA.

Your security system is designed to plug into a device called an RJ31X jack which is installed at your premises on one of your regular telephone lines. When activated, a relay in your security system "seizes" and gives the security system priority use of this line, allowing the security system to report its signals to the monitoring station's alarm receiver.

The RJ31X jack is a special 8-pin telephone jack, designed for use with security systems, and which is available from your telephone or interconnect company, or from Al Lasher's Electronics for about $10, and you can install it. Sometimes an RJ38X jack is used instead of an RJ31X. The two types of jacks are identical except that the RJ38X jack has an internal jumper across two of its otherwise unused terminals. The jumper may be used with a tamper loop for local supervision of the wiring from the security system to the RJ38X jack.

If your security system is presently monitored, an RJ31X jack is probably already installed. Monitoring is possible without an RJ31X jack; your security system can plug into a standard RJ11 jack for example, but your security system will not be able to utilize its telephone line "seize" feature.

The RJ31X jack provides a method for quickly unplugging, and thereby disconnecting, your security system from the telephone line in the event a malfunction of your security system prevents or interferes with the normal use of your telephone and/or to assist in determining the cause or source of a suspected telephone line malfunction.

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What If The Telephone Line Is Cut?
If, for any reason, your telephone line is interrupted or cut, or if the telephone network fails to complete the call, the monitoring station will not receive the signal from your security system. There are several ways to address this, including: physically protecting, or concealing, the telephone line; local annunciation; and back-up reporting via radio, such as Airlink.

Airlink service, now available in most of the United States, uses radio telemetry signaling to transmit alarm signals from the premises, thus providing a measure of security against cut telephone lines.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Security System.
When planning the purchase of a security system, you will likely consider whether, and by whom, your security system should be monitored. Most alarm dealers will make every effort to convince you to sign up for their monitoring service at an additional cost to you of around $20 to $35 per month. As monitoring service usually costs them only $4 to $6 per month (depending on whether they perform monitoring in-house or pay a wholesale monitoring station to provide the actual monitoring), it is perhaps the most profitable product they can sell to you. And, assuming that you agree to use their monitoring service, many alarm dealers will employ some or all of the following practices which restrict your ability to later switch to a different monitoring station of your choice:

  • They install "proprietary" equipment, which is incompatible with industry standard alarm monitoring receivers, and which cannot be serviced or monitored by any other monitoring station. Tip: Ask and verify that the equipment to be installed is not proprietary, and that it is capable of being fully monitored at any monitoring station.

  • They lease, instead of sell, some portion (the master control panel, for example) or all of the security system to you, and, even though you may have paid for its installation, they could remove some or all of the security system from your home in the event that you cancel their monitoring service. Tip: Ask and verify that all equipment to be installed shall be your property, and not leased.

  • They may activate a "local-programming lockout" virus in your security system, or may refuse to give you the "lockout code" or "master program code" necessary to reprogram your security system to a different monitoring station. Tip: Ask and verify that the equipment to be installed does not have a "local-programming lockout" virus employed and that you receive the "lockout code" and "master program code".

  • They ask you to sign a long-term (several years) monitoring contract, frequently in connection with a subsidized installation charge, whereby you are obligated to use the monitoring station selected by the installer. Tip: Ask and verify that the monitoring contract is for a maximum term that is satisfactory to you.

  • They ask you to sign a monitoring contract which automatically renews forever unless you remember to cancel it in writing at least 30 days before it would otherwise automatically renew. This provision is sometimes called an "evergreen" clause. Tip: Ask and verify that the monitoring contract has a termination clause that is satisfactory to you.

  • They ask you to sign a monitoring contract which provides that they may increase your monitoring service rates at any time for many different reasons. Tip: Ask and verify that the monitoring contract has rate increase limitation clauses that are satisfactory to you.

  • They may, immediately upon installing your security system, sell or assign your monitoring contract to another monitoring station (who will pay your alarm dealer a fee of about 24+ times your rate-per-month) over which they have no control, and which may or may not give you satisfactory monitoring service. Tip: Ask and verify that the monitoring contract provide that you may cancel it at any time in the event of unsatisfactory service.

  • Telephone solicitors may claim that their company's "low" monitoring fee is very competitive. Tip: Compare monitoring rates among several monitoring stations.

Of course, always ask for references, verify that the alarm dealer is properly licensed, and read their contract before signing it.

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Wireless or Hardwire?
Security systems are usually either "wireless" or "hardwire" type, depending on the type of sensors they use. Some "hybrid" systems may allow use of both types of sensors. Which type of system is best for your application depends on several factors. Our experience has generally been that good quality equipment, of either type, carefully installed in accordance with its manufacturer's instructions, can provide reliable function with a minimum of false alarms. Here is a comparison of types:

Wireless. The sensors (door contacts, motion detectors, smoke detectors, etc) each contain a small radio-frequency transmitter which reports alarm signals (door opened for example) and status (sensor battery voltage low for example) conditions to the security system's control panel. Wireless equipment is more costly, but takes less labor time to install, and each sensor has a battery (often 9 volt type) which must be replaced (in most cases by you) about every one to three years. In theory, a wireless security system may be re-located to a new location should you move; in practice, this is rarely done. Some good brands: First Alert Professional, Ademco - Vista series, ITI, and others.

Hardwire. The sensors are physically connected by wires (often 22 gauge) to the security system's control panel. Hardwire equipment is less costly, takes more labor time to install (especially if you want the wires concealed), and is permanently installed. Some good brands: First Alert Professional, Ademco - Vista series, Sentrol/Moose, DSC, and others.

Both types of security systems usually have a standby battery located in the control panel which allows the system to operate for a period of time following a power outage or brownout. The standby battery is commonly a 12-volt gell-type with a three to five year life.

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What About False Alarms?
911 Alarm sponsers and participates in alarm industry efforts to reduce false alarms, including the Adopt-A-City False Alarm Reduction Program. For instance, 911 Alarm's Two-Step Verification proceedure can eliminate most police response to false alarms.
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Our Privacy Policy.
911 Alarm will not disclose to others any information you supply us, unless you authorize us otherwise. In some jurisdictions we are required to provide local police departments with certain information concerning our subscribers located within their jurisdiction.
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Your Part. For 911 Alarm monitoring service, you need:
  • A compatible security system installed and fully operative at your home or business premises.
  • An RJ31X (or RJ38X) jack installed on the telephone line to which your security system is connected. Your security system will use this line to report its signals to our monitoring station's alarm receiver.
  • To have the instruction manual and master program code for your security system. This will allow you to re-program your security system to dial the telephone number of the alarm receiver connected to our monitoring station, thus saving you the time and expense of having a technician do it for you.
  • To complete the Sign-Up form, and to sign our 12-month service agreement. Agreement renews annually until you cancel service for any reason.
  • To note that, if you have an existing contract for alarm monitoring service with another monitoring station, you should comply with its terms and cancellation provisions.
  • To pay our charges ($11.99 per month for basic service) annually in advance ($143.88), plus a one-time-only processing/set-up charge of $25.00.
  • We accept Visa and MasterCard.

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Of Interest to Alarm Installers / Wholesale Contract Monitoring.
We receive many inquiries for security system sales, installation and repair services from across the United States.

If you are a licensed alarm installer interested in receiving referrals to and providing these services for subscribers of 911 Alarm monitoring services we would like to hear from you.

We have an authorized reseller program for qualified alarm installers, including contract monitoring services at wholesale rates.

Please email us with a brief introduction to your company, product lines supported, your usual charges, and scope of services offered. If you are interested in our wholesale contract monitoring services, also let us know the brand/models of security systems you usually install, and the quantity of systems you might want us to monitor for you.

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How To Contact 911 Alarm.
911 Alarm ®
2801 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley CA 94702-2238 USA
Vox 510.444.8888
Fax 510.548.8500
Email 911 Alarm
911 Alarm ® is a service of 911 Inc, a CA corporation.
CA Alarm Company Operator License #ACO-426
CA Contractors License #C10-610373
Apex Alarm, Code 3 Alarm, Diablo Alarm,
False Alarm and UL Alarm are servicemarks,
and in some markets are services, of 911 Inc.
Since 1968

Thanks for visiting. Nick Lawrence, President

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911 Alarm ® is not affiliated with any public or law enforcement agency nor with the '911' telephone service. The information contained at this web site is believed accurate for the USA as of this date, however no warranty, express or implied, is made concerning same. All liability for any loss, harm or damage, whether direct, indirect or consequential, which may result from disclosure or use of, or reliance upon, the information contained or referenced at this web site, is disclaimed. 911 Alarm prices, policies, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

© 911 Inc 1995-2004.    911 Alarm ® is a registered trademark.    Updated 10-21-2007.