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Testing Your Cox Homelife System Alarms

Solution

It is important to regularly test your alarm system to ensure it is functioning properly.
 
During testing you may choose to report your alarms to the Central Monitoring Service (CMS) to ensure end-to-end integrity. The default setting on the Touchscreen allows you to test the alarm without sending a signal to the CMS.

1

Complete the following steps.

  1. From the home screen, tap Settings.
     
    Image of the Settings icon

  2. On the keypad screen, enter your Master Code.

    Image of the master code screen
2

Complete the steps below.

  1. From the Settings menu, tap Security.
     
    Image of the Settings screen highlighting Security
     
  2. Tap Alarm Test.
3
From the Alarm Test screen, to prevent your test alarms being sent to the CMS, press Disabled.
 
Note: Send Test Alarm Messages defaults to Disabled. By pressing the button you can toggle between Disabled and Enabled.
 
Image of the Alarm Test screen
 
Result: The Send Test Alarm Messages changes to Enabled. Your test alarms will be sent to the CMS.
 
Image of the Alarm test showing enabled

If you enable Send Test Alarm Messages, contact Cox Homelife at 877-404-2568, and notify us that you are testing your system.

4
Tap Next.
 
Image of the Alarm Test screen highlighting Next
5

On the Alarm Test Checklist screen, complete the following steps.

  1. Confirm that all windows and doors are closed and that the motion detectors are not showing any motion.

    Note: When the security zones are ready for testing, Ready to Arm displays under the Arm button.
     
    Image of the Alarm Test Checklist highlihgting Ready to Arm
     
  2. Tap Arm.
     
    Image of the Alarm Test Checklist highlihgting Arm
     

    The Arm button changes to System Armed to indicate your security system is armed in the special Test mode. The Exit Delay is ten seconds instead of thirty seconds. Motion detectors are turned off until a door or window is opened.
     

  3. Tap Next.
     
    Image of the Alarm Test Checklist highlihgting Next
6

On the Alarm Test screen, you must complete the following tasks.

  1. Open and close an entry point.
     
    Results:
    • A 30 second Entry Delay period begins.
    • The Touchscreen beeps once per second.
    • The beeping increases to twice per second in the last ten seconds.
    • The motion detectors are turned on.
    • At the end of the Entry Delay period the siren sounds.
       
      Note: The siren can be muted prior to testing by tapping Mute Siren. Muting the siren is not recommended. Ensuring the siren is in working order is an important part of the test.
       
  2. Continue to open and close each entry point. Ensure that it is marked with a red ALARM indicator.
     
    Image of the Alarm Test screem showing a red Alarm
     
  3. Perform all of the applicable tests listed in the table below.

    SensorTesting Process
    Door / WindowOpen and close the door or window.
    Motion DetectorAvoid the motion detector for three minutes after arming the system, then walk in front of it.
    Smoke DetectorPress and hold the sensor Test button until the siren sounds, approximately ten seconds.
    Glass Break DetectorUse a glass break simulator if available.
    Key FobArm and disarm the system with the key fob.
    Key PadArm and disarm the system with the key pad.

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