Lesson plan
Dual loop
Dual-loop is a method of electrical circuit termination used in electronic security applications, particularly modern intruder alarms. It is called 'dual-loop' because two circuits (alarm and anti-tamper) are combined into one using resistors. Its use became widespread in the early 21st century, replacing the basic closed-circuit system, mainly because of changes in international standards and practices. Dual-loop allows the burglar alarm control panel to read the values of end-of-line resistors for the purpose of telling a zone's status. For example: if an alarm system's software uses 2K ohms as its non-alarm value, an inactive detector will give a reading of 2K ohms as the circuit is passing through just one resistor. When the detector goes into an active state (i.e. a door contact being opened), the circuit path has been altered and it must now pass through a second resistor wired in series with the first. This gives a reading of 4K ohms and will trigger an intruder alarm. If a resistance reading is not recognised by the system either due to short-circuit or open-circuit, an anti-tamper alarm will trigger. Dual loop is more commonly known as Balanced EOL (End of Line) resistors. It is more secure than the former Double Pole loop, but nevertheless can be bypassed by someone with sufficient knowledge of security alarm systems.
Article summary
Dual-loop is a method of electrical circuit termination used in electronic security applications, particularly modern intruder alarms. It is called 'dual-loop' because two circuits (alarm and anti-tamper) are combined into one using resistors. Its use became widespread in the early 21st century, replacing the basic closed-circuit system, mainly because of changes in international standards and practices. Dual-loop allows the burglar alarm control panel to read the values of end-of-line resistors for the purpose of telling a zone's status. For example: if an alarm system's software uses 2K ohms as its non-alarm value, an inactive detector will give a reading of 2K ohms as the circuit is passing through just one resistor. When the detector goes into an active state (i.e. a door contact being opened), the circuit path has been altered and it must now pass through a second resistor wired in series with the first. This gives a reading of 4K ohms and will trigger an intruder alarm. If a resistance reading is not recognised by the system either due to short-circuit or open-circuit, an anti-tamper alarm will trigger. Dual loop is more commonly known as Balanced EOL (End of Line) resistors. It is more secure than the former Double Pole loop, but nevertheless can be bypassed by someone with sufficient knowledge of security alarm systems.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.