Security Products - Frequently Asked Questions

Q - What is the warranty period on your intercoms?
A - All our intercoms have a 1 year warranty. Westinghouse Intercom Warranty Registration Form.

Q - Are the 5-Channel Radio Doorbell Intercoms (Models WHDBI-5C and WHI-5S) compatible with the line-carrier Westinghouse models?
A - No, model WHDBI-5C and WHI-5S are compatible with each other only.

Q - Can I monitor more than one room at a time?
A - No, only one room can be monitored at a time. This unit will be placed in the "lock" position.

Q - The red light is on; I cannot communicate with the other units?
A - Another unit may be in the lock position. The intercoms cannot communicate if one is being used to monitor a room.

Q - The power light is on yet I cannot get the intercom to work, what am I doing wrong?
A - These intercoms must be plugged directly into the electrical outlet. Power strips, surge protectors or filters cannot be used.

Q - How do these units work, will they work from one house to another?
A - The intercoms are "line carriers" meaning they send an FM signal through the electrical wiring. In order for the units to communicate, they must be on the same "leg" or phase of electricity. They are not designed to work from one building to another.

Q - How many intercoms can be added on?
A - The Westinghouse intercoms can have as many units as desired. However, if "private" channels are needed, only three or four units respectively can be used. "Private" channels are when each unit is dedicated to only one person/location. Only the intercom units on that channel will be able to communicate.

Q - Can 2 channel systems be expanded?
A - The 2 channel system can be expanded with additional pairs of 2 channel intercoms or by adding single unit 3 or 4 channel units.

Q - Can a WHDB-301 (Doorbell Intercom System) be added to all 3 systems?
A - The WHDB-301 can be used with our 2, 3, and 4 channel intercoms.

Q - Why does the Doorbell Intercom System not come with a 2-conductor wire?
A - The two conductor wiring (like speaker wire) is not included due to the varying lengths needed in different installations.

Q - What is a 2-conductor wire?
A - Two conductor wire is simply two wires run together from one point to another, like speaker wire.

Q - The term line carrier means?
A - Line carrier refers to the use of pre-existing electrical wiring in the property for sending the communications between units.

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Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) - Discontinued

Q - Are the cameras weatherproof?
A - No, the CCTV cameras are not weatherproof. An outdoor camera housing must be used if the cameras are going to be used outside, they cannot be placed in direct sunlight.

Q - What is the lux rating on the camera?
A - The camera has a .04 lux rating.

Q – How do I record using the VCR cable?
A – Attach the VCR cable to the monitor's VCR port and to the audio/video ports of the VCR. The VCR then must be programmed to record from the Audio-visual (A/V) ports rather than the Tune ports (see dubbing section of the VCR manual).

Q – Is the Linear CCTV surveillance system compatible with any other CCTV systems?
A – No, Linear CCTV systems are proprietary, these systems are made to work only with other Linear CCTV products.

Q – How many cameras can be used with these systems?
A – The 12" CCTV system holds up to four cameras, the 5" CCTV system holds up to two.

Q – Does the monitor switch between cameras. If so, at what time intervals?
A – Yes, the monitor is equipped with sequential switching between the cameras. The time frame is pre-set by the consumer.

Q – How far from the monitor can the cameras be located?
A – There are 60' and 300' cables designed for the CCTV camera. Each is equipped with the connectors pre-attached. In-line adapters are available to connect lengths of cable.

Q – Is two-way audio communication possible in the CCTV surveillance systems?
A – Each camera has a microphone as a part of it, it can be heard by the monitor as it is seen on the monitor screen.

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SSD (Security Systems)

Q - What does SSD mean?
A - The SSD in Keepsafer SSD means sensor status display. The console of this system has a LED light display for each of the 8 (SSD-8 Security System) (Discontinued) or 16 (SSD-16 Security System) transmitters that can be programmed into the memory of the system. This LED display allows the user to know what door is open, what transmitter needs a battery replaced and most importantly what transmitter tripped an alarm should that happen.

Q – What is the difference between the SSD-16 and the SSD-8 Security Systems?
A – The SSD-16 provides 16 zones of protection. The SSD-16 is to be used in larger homes, 1500 – 5000 square feet. The SSD-8 provides 8 zones of protection and is to be used in smaller homes, apartments or condos up to 1500 square feet.

Q – Can the SSD-16 and the SSD-8 be monitored through a Central Station?
A – Yes, Linear, the manufacturer of SSD Security Systems offers 24 hour Central Station Monitoring through WEMA (We Monitor America), a U.L. listed Central Station Monitoring center. Subscribing for Central Station Monitoring services provides peace of mind in knowing that whether you are home or away someone will be notified and respond to an alarm triggered by your security system. When the SSD security system sounds an alarm, the Central Station is notified by a dialer that calls an 800 number pre-programmed into it. The Central Station will then try to reach someone at the property. If no one answers the phone in four rings with your password, the Police will be notified and a dispatch requested. After the dispatch has been requested a series of calls will be made from your contact list.

Q – Where should the SSD security system console be located in one's home?
A – The console of a security system is its main brain and should not be accessible to everyone who enters. It should be kept out of sight; possibly in a bedroom or home office. The SSD-8 and SSD-16 security systems can be armed and disarmed in several ways. This can be done by entering a Personal Access Code (PAC) into the system's console keypad. The SSD-8 and SSD-16 can both use the two-button keychain remote control. A single button press arms or disarms the system. The SSD-16 system can use a wireless remote keypad, that can be mounted by the doors used most often to enter the house. The PAC is entered and the system is armed or disarmed as needed.

Q – What is the warranty period on Keepsafer Home Security Systems?
A – The SSD Security Systems and all the accessories come with a one year warranty (excludes batteries). An extended warranty is available if you sign up for the central station monitoring service provided through (WEMA) We Monitor America. SSD Security System Warranty Registration Form.

Q – How many sirens can be wired to the SSD-16 and the SSD-8?
A – The SSD-16 will hold up to three sirens, the SSD-8 will hold one siren.

Q – Can the motion detector be used outside?
A – No, the SSD Home Security Systems and all of the accessories are to be used as interior units only, they are not made to work in the outdoors.

Q – What does PIR stand for?
A – PIR is for Passive Infrared, basically it is a heat sensor, not a motion sensor. When the security system is armed with a motion detector, the PIR picks up rapid change in temperature and motion. When this happens the console will sound the siren. This device is only "armed" when the console is in the "AWAY" mode, indicating that everyone is away from the property.

Q – What is the transmission range of the SSD-16 and SSD-8 console?
A – The transmission range for both consoles is 400 feet, open air.

Q – What type of batteries are used with the system?
A – A 12 volt back-up battery is to be used with the console, this battery has a three to five year life expectancy. Lithium batteries are used in the accessories, these batteries have a one to three year life expectancy depending on use.

Q - What is a zone? Is a channel the same thing?
A - The words zone and channel are used to describe the area being protected by one of the transmitters in the security systems memory. As an example; channel or zone 1 shows a fast flashing on its LED. This indicates the transmitter in channel/zone 1 (light # 1 tripped an alarm on the console LED display).

Q - I have more than 16 areas in my house to monitor. Do I have to buy 2 systems?
A - No. The SSD system can have only 8 (SSD-8 System) or 16 (SSD-16 System) transmitters in its memory but that doesn't limit its coverage. Large banks of windows can be covered by a PIR (motion detector).The PIRs' range is approx. 30x30'. In addition each Door/Window (d/w) Sensor can monitor more than one opening by adding the magnetic contact sets that wire into the d/w sensor. Each d/w sensor can have 4-5 magnetic contacts wired into it.

Caution should be used in the amount of wiring used for these additions. It is recommended that there should be not more than 35 feet of wiring used in each zone. When excessive wiring is added, the wiring acts like an antenna and can cause false alarms.

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