How to Change your Security Alarm Battery

At Home Security Online, we are often contacted by clients needing to replace their alarm batteries.  It is recommended that your alarm battery be changed every 3-4 years to ensure its proper functioning and avoid the possibility of false alarms.

Changing the battery in your alarm is a reasonably straight forward process and by following the steps below, anyone can change an alarm battery in their home or business when required.

When should you change a security alarm battery?

The alarm battery in an alarm is  located in the control panel.  It is designed to keep your security system running during a power outage so ensuring this battery is well-charged is important.

The average life span of an alarm battery is anywhere from 2-4 years depending on the frequency of arming/disarming and general use.  While all alarm systems are different your alarm will alert you when it needs replacing. On your alarm keypad , usually a warning message will be displayed. — Low Battery, Trouble, or similar. The keypad may also start to beep at regular intervals.  If you begin  experiencing false alarms, a low battery may be the cause.

When to replace an old alarm battery?

While false alarms are annoying, there are other  more critical reasons to replace an alarm battery. Firstly, a warning battery may be unable to keep your system operating for very long in the case of a blackout. To ensure your property, loved ones and  possessions remain secure, it’s crucial to replace your alarm system battery when indicated.

6 Easy Steps to change a security alarm battery

Step 1
Turn off the electrical supply to your system.

Step 2
If your alarm system is monitored, contact the  control room to let them know you are going to change the backup battery. This will prevent the control room sending a patrol company to your premises.

Step 3
Locate the alarm system battery in the control panel. Typically the alarm system battery will  be installed in a walk-in robe, cupboard or even a spare bedroom wardrobe.

Step 4
Open the control panel box. You can usually do this with a control panel key (sometimes left on top of the control box), or you may need to unscrew the cover. When you open the cover, your alarm may go off. Make sure you have your code on hand to turn off  your system if this occurs.

Step 5
Disconnect the battery. Remove both the black and red wires from the battery terminals. You should be able to do so gently by hand, or you may prefer to use pliers. (To avoid receiving a shock, make sure you do not touch the battery terminals or open-end of the wire connectors with any metal implement.)

Once disconnected, remove the old battery and dispose of it responsibly.

Step 6
Connect the new battery, making sure you are using a battery of the same size and voltage as the original. (You can purchase a new alarm alarm battery through Home Security Online.) Start by removing any plastic protectors from the new battery, then connect the wires.

Ensure the battery is not put in backwards—the printed information should be facing towards you. Insert the RED wire in the RED battery terminal, and the BLACK wire in the BLACK. Ensure the connectors are tightly connected to the battery terminals. If you have a multimeter, use it to check that the battery is charging. Close the control panel and lock.

While we recommend annual servicing of your home security system to ensure its proper functioning, changing a security alarm battery does not generally require a service call.  If you have a Hills Reliance  R4/R8/NX4/NX8 alarm system you will require a 12V 4Amp sealed lead Acid Battery   Most common alarm panels including the the Ness D8X/D16X and D8Xcel/ D16Xcel  require a 12V 7Amp rechargeable sealed lead acid alarm battery. Follow these simple steps and your alarm system battery will keep charged and ensure you are protected—during an electrical outage.

How to Change your Security Alarm Battery

A bog post about the importance of maintaining your alarm system and some easy steps to help you change your alarm battery.