Electronic Security Technician
Certification Examination Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
What is the primary function of a passive infrared (PIR) motion detector in an
electronic security system?
A) Emits infrared energy and measures reflection time
B) Detects changes in ambient temperature caused by a moving body
C) Uses ultrasonic waves to create a Doppler shift
D) Senses magnetic field disturbances from ferrous objects
Answer: B) Detects changes in ambient temperature caused by a moving body.
Rationale: PIR sensors work by detecting rapid changes in infrared radiation
(heat) within their field of view. When a warm body like a human moves across
the detector's zones, it creates a differential signal between the dual pyroelectric
elements, triggering an alarm. Option A describes active infrared or lidar, C
describes ultrasonic motion detectors, and D describes magnetic reed switches
or magnetometers.
Question 2
Which wire gauge is most commonly recommended for power distribution in
residential burglar alarm panels operating at 12 VDC over distances up to 500
feet?
A) 22 AWG
,B) 18 AWG
C) 14 AWG
D) 26 AWG
Answer: B) 18 AWG. Rationale: 18 AWG is the industry standard for power and
zone wiring in residential security systems because it balances voltage drop
(approximately 0.8V per 100 feet at 1A) with mechanical durability. 22 AWG is
too thin for power but acceptable for data; 14 AWG is overkill and harder to
terminate; 26 AWG is used only for very short data runs.
Question 3
In access control systems, what does the term "tailgating" refer to?
A) An authorized user holding the door for an unauthorized person
B) A hacker intercepting credential data via RFID skimming
C) A door forced open with a crowbar
D) A relay that fails in the locked state
Answer: A) An authorized user holding the door for an unauthorized person.
Rationale: Tailgating (or piggybacking) is a physical security breach where an
unauthorized individual follows an authorized person through a controlled entry
point without presenting their own credential. This is a social engineering and
policy issue, not a hardware failure (D), forced entry (C), or electronic
eavesdropping (B).
Question 4
What is the typical nominal resistance value of a standard 4-wire residential
smoke detector's end-of-line resistor when wired to a conventional fire alarm
zone?
A) 0 ohms (short)
B) 1k ohm
C) 4.7k ohm
D) 10k ohm
,Answer: C) 4.7k ohm. Rationale: While EOL resistor values vary by panel
manufacturer, 4.7k ohms is the most common for residential fire zones in North
America (e.g., DSC, Honeywell). This value allows the panel to supervise the
wiring: normal (4.7k), alarm (0 ohms via detector relay), or trouble
(infinite/open). 1k and 10k are used in some commercial panels, but 4.7k is the
residential standard.
Question 5
Which CCTV lens specification determines the angle of view captured by the
camera?
A) Focal length (mm)
B) Aperture (f-stop)
C) Iris diameter
D) Back focus distance
Answer: A) Focal length (mm). Rationale: Focal length directly determines the
field of view—shorter focal lengths (e.g., 2.8mm) give wide-angle views, while
longer focal lengths (e.g., 12mm) give narrow, telephoto views. Aperture (B)
controls light intake, iris diameter (C) is related but not the primary specification
for angle, and back focus (D) affects image sharpness, not angle.
Question 6
When programming a digital keypad for an alarm system, what is the purpose of
the "entry delay" setting?
A) Time allowed for a user to disarm after entering through a designated door
B) Time before the siren shuts off automatically
C) Duration of the alarm memory display
D) Interval between dialing attempts to the central station
Answer: A) Time allowed for a user to disarm after entering through a
designated door. Rationale: Entry delay (typically 30-60 seconds) gives an
authorized user time to reach the keypad and enter their code after opening an
, entry/exit door, preventing false alarms. Option B is the siren cutoff timer, C is a
separate memory feature, and D is a communicator retry setting.
Question 7
Which type of cable is required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) for plenum-
rated spaces in commercial security installations?
A) CM
B) CMR
C) CMP
D) CMX
Answer: C) CMP. Rationale: CMP (Communications Plenum) cable has a fire-
retardant jacket with low smoke emission, required by NEC Article 800 for
installation in air-handling plenums (above drop ceilings, under raised floors).
CM is general purpose, CMR is riser-rated for vertical shafts, and CMX is for
residential use—none meet plenum fire safety standards.
Question 8
In a supervised loop, what electrical condition indicates a "trouble" condition on a
normally closed (NC) contact?
A) 0 volts (short circuit)
B) Open circuit (infinite resistance)
C) Nominal resistance (e.g., 1k ohm)
D) Alternating current at 60 Hz
Answer: B) Open circuit (infinite resistance). Rationale: In a supervised NC loop,
the panel expects to see the EOL resistance. A short (0V) indicates an alarm
(contact closed), nominal resistance is normal, and an open circuit (infinite)
indicates a wiring break, device failure, or tamper—thus a trouble condition. AC
on a DC loop would indicate induction or fault.
Certification Examination Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
What is the primary function of a passive infrared (PIR) motion detector in an
electronic security system?
A) Emits infrared energy and measures reflection time
B) Detects changes in ambient temperature caused by a moving body
C) Uses ultrasonic waves to create a Doppler shift
D) Senses magnetic field disturbances from ferrous objects
Answer: B) Detects changes in ambient temperature caused by a moving body.
Rationale: PIR sensors work by detecting rapid changes in infrared radiation
(heat) within their field of view. When a warm body like a human moves across
the detector's zones, it creates a differential signal between the dual pyroelectric
elements, triggering an alarm. Option A describes active infrared or lidar, C
describes ultrasonic motion detectors, and D describes magnetic reed switches
or magnetometers.
Question 2
Which wire gauge is most commonly recommended for power distribution in
residential burglar alarm panels operating at 12 VDC over distances up to 500
feet?
A) 22 AWG
,B) 18 AWG
C) 14 AWG
D) 26 AWG
Answer: B) 18 AWG. Rationale: 18 AWG is the industry standard for power and
zone wiring in residential security systems because it balances voltage drop
(approximately 0.8V per 100 feet at 1A) with mechanical durability. 22 AWG is
too thin for power but acceptable for data; 14 AWG is overkill and harder to
terminate; 26 AWG is used only for very short data runs.
Question 3
In access control systems, what does the term "tailgating" refer to?
A) An authorized user holding the door for an unauthorized person
B) A hacker intercepting credential data via RFID skimming
C) A door forced open with a crowbar
D) A relay that fails in the locked state
Answer: A) An authorized user holding the door for an unauthorized person.
Rationale: Tailgating (or piggybacking) is a physical security breach where an
unauthorized individual follows an authorized person through a controlled entry
point without presenting their own credential. This is a social engineering and
policy issue, not a hardware failure (D), forced entry (C), or electronic
eavesdropping (B).
Question 4
What is the typical nominal resistance value of a standard 4-wire residential
smoke detector's end-of-line resistor when wired to a conventional fire alarm
zone?
A) 0 ohms (short)
B) 1k ohm
C) 4.7k ohm
D) 10k ohm
,Answer: C) 4.7k ohm. Rationale: While EOL resistor values vary by panel
manufacturer, 4.7k ohms is the most common for residential fire zones in North
America (e.g., DSC, Honeywell). This value allows the panel to supervise the
wiring: normal (4.7k), alarm (0 ohms via detector relay), or trouble
(infinite/open). 1k and 10k are used in some commercial panels, but 4.7k is the
residential standard.
Question 5
Which CCTV lens specification determines the angle of view captured by the
camera?
A) Focal length (mm)
B) Aperture (f-stop)
C) Iris diameter
D) Back focus distance
Answer: A) Focal length (mm). Rationale: Focal length directly determines the
field of view—shorter focal lengths (e.g., 2.8mm) give wide-angle views, while
longer focal lengths (e.g., 12mm) give narrow, telephoto views. Aperture (B)
controls light intake, iris diameter (C) is related but not the primary specification
for angle, and back focus (D) affects image sharpness, not angle.
Question 6
When programming a digital keypad for an alarm system, what is the purpose of
the "entry delay" setting?
A) Time allowed for a user to disarm after entering through a designated door
B) Time before the siren shuts off automatically
C) Duration of the alarm memory display
D) Interval between dialing attempts to the central station
Answer: A) Time allowed for a user to disarm after entering through a
designated door. Rationale: Entry delay (typically 30-60 seconds) gives an
authorized user time to reach the keypad and enter their code after opening an
, entry/exit door, preventing false alarms. Option B is the siren cutoff timer, C is a
separate memory feature, and D is a communicator retry setting.
Question 7
Which type of cable is required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) for plenum-
rated spaces in commercial security installations?
A) CM
B) CMR
C) CMP
D) CMX
Answer: C) CMP. Rationale: CMP (Communications Plenum) cable has a fire-
retardant jacket with low smoke emission, required by NEC Article 800 for
installation in air-handling plenums (above drop ceilings, under raised floors).
CM is general purpose, CMR is riser-rated for vertical shafts, and CMX is for
residential use—none meet plenum fire safety standards.
Question 8
In a supervised loop, what electrical condition indicates a "trouble" condition on a
normally closed (NC) contact?
A) 0 volts (short circuit)
B) Open circuit (infinite resistance)
C) Nominal resistance (e.g., 1k ohm)
D) Alternating current at 60 Hz
Answer: B) Open circuit (infinite resistance). Rationale: In a supervised NC loop,
the panel expects to see the EOL resistance. A short (0V) indicates an alarm
(contact closed), nominal resistance is normal, and an open circuit (infinite)
indicates a wiring break, device failure, or tamper—thus a trouble condition. AC
on a DC loop would indicate induction or fault.
