Armor Clad Security
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Armor Clad Security
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| Spectra 1686 | Spectra 1689 | Spectra 1641 | Digiplex |
Before attempting to change any user codes it is important to understand two critical concepts. The first is the difference between the master code and user codes. The master code is a single code which allows administrative actions to be conducted; namely, adding or deleting user codes. The master code can also be used to arm and disarm the alarm. User codes are codes which have arming and disarming privileges but cannot be used to add or delete codes in the system. Therefore the master code must be known in order to add or delete any other codes to the alarm system. It is very important that the alarm system administrator keeps a record of the master code in a safe and secure location.
The second important concept to understand is that each code programmed in the alarm system, including the master code, is stored in a specific registry. The most common mistake alarm owners make is not keeping a record of whose code is store in which registry. It is necessary to know the registry for a particular code if that code is going to be successfully added, deleted, or modified.
For the convenience of our customers, Armor Clad Security has created a Registry Map to assist in keeping track of the user codes and their respective registries. Please visit our Downloads section to attain a copy.
The following instructions pertain to Paradox security equipment only. Please notice that the procedure for the Spectra series of controllers is slightly different than the Digiplex series of controllers. Please refer to the relevant FAQ above to determine whether you have a Spectra or Digiplex.
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Spectra Series |
Digiplex Series |
| Press the [ENTER] key. | Enter the master code. |
| Enter the four-digit master code. | Press the [0] key. |
| Enter the three-digit registry number for the code you want to add, delete or modify. | Press the [ACC] key. |
| Enter the new four-digit code. If you are deleting the code, press the [FORCE] key four times. | Enter the two-digit registry number for the code you want to add or modify. |
| Press the [CLEAR] key to complete the process. | Enter the new four-digit code. If you are deleting the code, press the [CLEAR] key once. |
| Press the [ENTER] key to complete the process. | |
| Press the [CLEAR] key two times to fully exit the programming mode. |
Should I give each person a unique alarm code or should we all share the same code?
Under most conditions it is best to give each person who has authorized access to the alarm system their own unique code. There are at least two reasons why this is a good idea.
First, there is the accountability factor. The security system keeps a log of each time the alarm system is armed and disarmed. Recorded in this log is the date, time, and the code used to arm or disarm the alarm. Since each person's code is unique to them, the log will identify when each person armed or disarmed the alarm system. This can be very helpful information in the event somebody has visited your protected facility during off hours or if you need to identify who entered the house or building at a certain time.
Second, there is the convenience factor. Not only is it more convenient for employees and family members to remember a code they can choose themselves, but in the case where a business terminates a particular employee, that employee's private code can simply be deleted from the alarm system and that employee is effectively denied access to the alarm. If the entire company were sharing a common alarm code, that means there are ex-employees who still possess the alarm code or else the entire company must change and re-memorize the alarm code each time an employee is terminated. It is much better if everyone has there own code and when it is necessary to remove a person's access to the alarm then it has no effect on all the other alarm users.
On the other hand, a common code may be desirable in a residential setting where family members are the only authorized alarm users. Under such circumstance it is unlikely that the accountability factor and convenience factor will be a motivation for unique codes.
Yes, Armor Clad Security has made all the Paradox Security System user's manuals available for download. You will find these manuals on our Downloads section. To ensure you download the correct manual for your particular security system, you will need to determine whether you have a Spectra alarm system or a Digiplex alarm system. Please refer to the relevant FAQ listed above.
Your security system is continually performing diagnostics on dozens of crucial elements of the system. When an unfavorable conditions develops, the security system goes into a trouble mode to alert you of the condition. The beeping from the keypad is an attempt to alert you of the trouble condition.
To silence the beeping, simply press the [TRBL] button to acknowledge that you are aware of the trouble condition. Once having done this, the security system will no longer try to alert you by beeping.
Common trouble conditions are a loss of electrical power, a low back-up battery, or a disconnected telephone line. For more information on trouble conditions, refer the the appropriate FAQ below.
When your security system detects an unfavorable condition, it will alert you by illuminating the trouble light and with an audible beep. Pressing the [TRBL] button will silence the beeping and display the trouble condition. If you have an alpha-numeric LCD keypad then the trouble condition will be spelled out on the LCD display. If you have an LED keypad then one or more numbers will be illuminated on the keypad to represent the trouble condition(s). Refer to the chart below to determine what each number represents.
Please understand that the numbers below only represent a trouble condition for about sixty seconds after the [TRBL] button has been pressed. The trouble light will be flashing while the trouble conditions are being displayed. If the trouble light is not flashing then the numbers lit on the keypad are not trouble codes.
| For Paradox Security Systems Only | |
| Light | Trouble Condition |
| 1 | System back-up battery is low. |
| 2 | Wireless component has a low battery. |
| 3 | Electrical power interrupted. |
| 4 | Siren damaged or missing. |
| 5 | Siren circuit overload. |
| 6 | Auxiliary power circuit overload. |
| 7 | Unsuccessful attempt to communicate with the central monitoring station. |
| 8 | Time loss. To set, press [8] again and enter 4-digit time (HH:MM) in 24-hr format. |
| 9 | Tamper fault. |
| 0 | Telephone line disconnected or telephone service interrupted. |
| STAY | Trouble with smoke detector or heat detector. |
| MEM | Unable to communicate with wireless component. |
| BYP | Missing alarm module. |
The most common trouble conditions pertain to the electrical power and the telephone service. If the electrical power is disconnected or turned off, pressing the [TRBL] button will reveal the [3] light. This means the electrical power has been interrupted and the security system is operating on the back-up battery. Should the electrical power be off for an extended time then the back-up battery may become low or even completely exhausted. A number [1] will light up to reflect that the battery back-up is low. When the power is restored, the number [3] will disappear but the number [1] may still be lit to show that the back-up battery is still low. This condition should remedy itself within a few hours since the security system will begin recharging the back-up battery once the electrical power is restored.
Should the telephone service become disconnected or the physical phone line cut, the security system will attempt to alert you of this condition by beeping and illuminating the trouble light. Pressing the [TRBL] button will reveal the [0] light. If the telephone service is disconnected for an extended time then a [7] will likely be displayed, indicating that communications with the central monitoring station have been unsuccessful. This condition exists because the security system requires active telephone service to send communications to the central monitoring station. Restoring the telephone service will remedy both of these trouble conditions.
If there are any questions or uncertainties about a trouble condition on your security system, please call Armor Clad Security's office at 209-522-3325.
Each keypad on the Paradox Spectra alarm system is capable of being muted. Muting the keypad will cause the audible features of the keypad to be silenced, yet the keypad is still completely functional for normal operation of the security system. This is a nice feature for those residences which have a keypad in one or more bedrooms. By muting the bedroom keypads, late night entries and exits from family members won't cause the keypads' beeping to awake those who are sleeping in the bedrooms.
Pressing and holding the [CLEAR] button for three seconds on the keypad will toggle the mute feature on and off. For those security systems that have multiple keypads, the mute feature is set individually for each keypad.
Unfortunately, sometimes people will inadvertently silence a keypad by pressing and holding the [CLEAR] button without knowing that this action turns the mute feature on/off. The next time they arm or disarm the alarm system, they are perplexed as to why the keypad is now silent. If this has happened to you then simply press and hold the [CLEAR] button for three seconds. This will toggle the mute feature off and restore the audible beeps.
Armor Clad Security recommends that every monitored security system be tested weekly for communications with the central monitoring station. This is a simple procedure to perform.
To perform this test you will be sending an alarm signal from your security system to the central monitoring station. It is important that the central monitoring station is notified that you are testing your security system before you send this signal, otherwise the monitoring station will treat the signal as a real alarm.
To test your security system, follow the steps below.
 | Call the central monitoring station (800-458-4519) to let them know you will be testing your security system. |
| Arm your security system and then intentionally cause an alarm by opening the doors and/or windows which are protecting by the security system. |
| Silence the alarm by entering your code at the keypad. |
| Call the central station to confirm they received the alarm signals. The operator at the central monitoring station will be able to tell you which doors, windows, motion detectors, etc. were violated during the test. |
If, for some reason, the signals were not received at the central station then call Armor Clad Security at 209-522-3325. We will assist you in determining if a problem exists.
Do I need to file for an alarm permit?
Most likely, yes. Most every city and county in California requires alarm owners to file an alarm permit. There is typically a modest filing fee associated with the permit, although some cities or counties may offer a free filing. The purpose for the filing is to register the owner of the alarm in case there is an emergency or other situation where the owner needs to be contacted.
If you live within city limits then call your local police department for directions on filing a permit. If you live outside the city limits then call your county sheriff department for directions on filing a permit. Below are some contact numbers for local alarm permit agencies.
| Lodi, City of | Lodi Police Department | 209-333-6727 |
| Manteca, City of | Manteca Police Department | 209-239-8410 |
| Merced, City of | Merced Police Department | 209-385-6912 |
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Modesto, City of |
Modesto Police Department | 209-572-9626 |
| Oakdale, City of | Oakdale Police Department | 209-847-2231 |
| Stockton, City of | Stockton Police Department | 209-937-8615 |
| Tracy, City of | Tracy Police Department | 209-831-4550 |
| Turlock, City of | Turlock Police Department | 209-668-5550 |
| San Joaquin County & unincorporated areas (Escalon, Lathrop, Ripon, etc.) | San Joaquin Sheriff Department | 209-468-4579 |
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Stanislaus County & unincorporated areas (Riverbank, Hughson, Patterson, etc.) |
Stanislaus County Sheriff Department | 209-525-7039 |
| Merced County & unincorporated areas (Atwater, Livingston, etc.) | Merced County Sheriff Department | 209-385-7616 |
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