ring Base Station - User Manual

Alarm Kit
Security Basics

Summary

What is Professional Monitoring?

The Alarm System

Describes the Ring Alarm Base Station and its role in monitoring sensors.

The Central Monitoring Station

Explains the role of the monitoring station in responding to alarm signals.

Sensors: Faulted or Cleared

Defines the states 'faulted' and 'cleared' for sensors in the Ring Alarm system.

Permits

Obtaining Permits

Details how permits are obtained, managed by Ring, or not required.

Practice Mode

Testing during Practice Mode

Guidance on testing system functionality during the initial practice period.

Security Modes

Away Mode

Monitors all sensors for maximum security when no one is home.

Home Mode

Monitors exterior sensors, allowing movement inside the home.

Disarmed Mode

Disables all sensor monitoring for easy entry and exit.

How to Arm & Disarm using the Keypad

Arming and Disarming

Instructions for arming and disarming the system using the keypad and app.

Sensor Bypass

Bypassing Faulted Sensors

Allows arming the system with a sensor in an insecure state.

Entry;Exit Delay

Exit Delay

Provides time to leave the home after arming the system.

Entry Delay

Allows time to enter and disarm the system upon returning home.

Including sensors in Modes

Customize Sensor Monitoring

How to choose which sensors are monitored in each security mode.

Entry Delay settings

Configure Entry Delay

How to change entry delay settings for specific sensors or modes.

Where to place your devices

Ring Base Station Placement

Guidance on optimal placement for the Ring Base Station.

Ring Range Extender Placement

Advice on placing Range Extenders to improve network coverage.

Ring Motion Detector Placement

Recommendations for placing Motion Detectors for effective detection.

Ring Contact Sensor

Install the Contact Sensor

Step-by-step instructions for installing the contact sensor and magnet.

Ring Keypad

Install the Ring Keypad

Instructions for mounting the keypad on a wall or placing it on a table.

Preventing false alarms

What is a False Alarm?

Defines what constitutes a false alarm and its implications.

Reduce False Alarms

Provides suggestions and best practices to minimize false alarms.

When something goes wrong

Alarm Response Process

Steps taken when the alarm sounds, involving monitoring station and responders.

Emergency contacts

Setting Up Emergency Contacts

How to choose and prepare emergency contacts for your system.

Verbal Security Password

Use of Verbal Passcode

Explains the purpose and importance of the verbal security password.

Panic

Users & Roles

Owner Role

Defines the full control privileges of a system owner.

Shared User Role

Outlines the limited access and control for shared users.

Notifications

Adjust Notification Settings

How to customize which events trigger notifications on the system.

FAQS

Contact Sensor Installation on Trim

Addresses challenges of placing contact sensors on angled or irregular trim.

Testing System during Practice Mode

Guidance on testing sensors and system functionality during practice mode.

Monitoring Station Call Delay

Explains the timing of calls from the monitoring station after an alarm.

Camera Access by Monitoring Station

Clarifies that the monitoring station does not access Ring cameras.

Alarm During Power Outage

Details how battery and cellular backup ensure system operation during outages.

Family exit plan

Creating a Family Exit Plan

Key information to include in a family exit plan for emergencies.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Ring Alarm Kit is a comprehensive security system designed to monitor your home and alert authorities in the event of an emergency. It integrates various sensors and devices to create a robust security perimeter, offering both professional monitoring and self-monitoring options.

Function Description

The core function of the Ring Alarm Kit is to detect security breaches and trigger an alarm. This system is built around the Ring Alarm Base Station, which acts as the central hub, communicating with all other Ring Alarm devices and, if professionally monitored, with a central monitoring station. When a sensor detects an anomaly while the system is armed, the Base Station sounds an alarm and sends an alarm signal.

Professional monitoring, available with a Ring Protect Plus subscription, means a team of people watches over your home. If an alarm signal is sent, a support agent calls you to verify the emergency. If there's an emergency, they can dispatch authorities. The system also includes a "Practice Mode" for a seven-day period after setup, allowing you to test the system without dispatching emergency responders. This mode is crucial for ensuring all sensors are correctly installed and communicating with the Base Station.

The system operates in three main security modes:

• Away Mode: All sensors in your home are monitored. This mode is ideal when you leave your home and want to be notified of any activity.
• Home Mode: All exterior and perimeter sensors are monitored, but interior sensors are not. This is useful when you are at home but want to be alerted if someone tries to break in through a door or window.
• Disarmed Mode: No sensors in your home are monitored. This mode provides freedom to move in and out of your home without triggering the alarm.

The Ring Alarm Kit also incorporates Entry/Exit Delay features, which are countdowns that allow you to enter and leave your home without immediately triggering the alarm. The Exit Delay provides time to leave after arming, while the Entry Delay gives you a short window to disarm the system upon re-entry. These delays can be customized to suit your needs, ranging from 30 seconds to two minutes.

A panic mode is also integrated into the system, triggered by simultaneously pressing and holding the "✔" and "X" buttons on the Keypad. In self-monitored systems, this triggers the alarm on the Base Station and Keypad. In professionally monitored systems, it sends a signal to the monitoring station, leading to the dispatch of police.

Usage Features

The Ring Alarm Kit is designed for user-friendly operation, offering multiple ways to arm and disarm the system and manage its settings.

• Keypad Operation: The Keypad allows you to arm or disarm the system by entering your access code and pressing the desired mode button (Away, Home, or Disarmed). The Keypad can be mounted flush on a wall or propped on a table using its reversible bracket, typically placed near a door or in a hallway.
• Ring App Control: You can also arm and disarm your system directly from the Ring app on your smartphone, providing remote control and convenience. The app also serves as the central interface for managing all system settings, including sensor configurations, user roles, and notifications.
• Sensor Management: The system includes various sensors, such as Ring Contact Sensors and Ring Motion Detectors.
  • Ring Contact Sensors can be installed on any door or window. They need to be perfectly aligned and no more than 1/4" apart when the door or window is closed. These sensors detect when a door or window is opened.
  • Ring Motion Detectors can be installed flat on a wall or in a corner, ideally around 7' above the floor, with an unobstructed view of the area to be covered. They detect motion within their range.
• Sensor Bypass: If a sensor is in an insecure state (e.g., a window is left open), you can bypass it when arming the system. This allows you to arm the system without monitoring that specific sensor, providing flexibility while maintaining security for other areas. This can be done via the Ring app or by pressing the "✔" button on the Keypad when prompted.
• Customizable Modes: You can customize which sensors are monitored in each mode. By default, Away mode monitors all sensors, and Home mode monitors exterior and perimeter sensors. However, you can adjust these settings in the Ring app to include or exclude specific sensors from monitoring in any given mode.
• Entry Delay Settings: The Entry Delay settings can be configured for individual sensors. Perimeter sensors default to "Set Delay," but can be changed to "No Delay" for instant alarm triggering. Motion Detectors default to "Auto Delay," but can also be set to "Set Delay" or "No Delay." "No Delay" is particularly useful for interior sensors where instant alarm triggering is desired.
• User Management: The system supports different user roles:
  • Owner: Has full control over all devices, can view video from all cameras and doorbells, receive and control notifications, create and manage Shared Users, and change all system settings.
  • Shared User: Has access to the system but not full control. They can control and view video from assigned cameras and doorbells, receive and control notifications, and use their personal access code on Keypads.
• Notifications: The Ring Alarm system can notify you of various events, such as a device going offline, an alarm being triggered, mode updates, battery backup status, and cellular backup status. These push notifications can be toggled on or off via the Ring app.
• Verbal Security Password: For professionally monitored systems, a verbal security password is required when the central monitoring station calls you or your emergency contact. This password confirms authorization to make decisions regarding your home's security, ensuring that only authorized individuals can cancel an alarm.

Maintenance Features

Maintaining your Ring Alarm Kit ensures its continued effectiveness and reliability.

• Permit Management: For professional monitoring, you may need to obtain a permit for your system, depending on local requirements. The Ring app provides a section to add your permit numbers and expiration dates. It's crucial to keep this information updated, as emergency responders may not be dispatched if permits are not on file.
• Battery Replacement: The system relies on batteries for its sensors and Keypad. When batteries need changing in Contact Sensors or Motion Detectors, it's recommended to disarm Ring Alarm before replacing them to avoid false alarms.
• Sensor Alignment: Over time, doors and windows can warp, potentially causing misalignment of Contact Sensors. Regularly check that sensors are properly aligned and no more than 1/4" apart to prevent false alarms.
• Base Station Placement: The Ring Base Station works best when placed in a central location in your home to ensure optimal communication with all Ring Alarm devices and to ensure the siren can be heard throughout the house.
• Range Extender Usage: If the Base Station struggles to communicate with distant Ring Alarm devices, a Ring Range Extender can be added. This device expands the Ring Alarm network and should be plugged into an outlet between the Base Station and the device experiencing communication issues.
• False Alarm Prevention: To minimize false alarms, it's important to:
  • Ensure all users are trained on how to use the system and have access to a disarm passcode.
  • Disarm the system before changing sensor batteries.
  • Ensure doors and windows close tightly to prevent accidental sensor faults.
  • Avoid pointing Motion Detectors at heat sources or windows with direct sun, and be aware of common household items (pets, balloons, curtains) that can trigger them.
• Emergency Contact Management: It is vital to choose reliable emergency contacts who are willing and able to answer calls, provide the verbal passcode, and potentially go to your address if requested by authorities. Add the monitoring station's phone number to your contacts to recognize their calls.
• Family Exit Plan: Implement a family exit plan that covers how to leave the home, where to meet, how to contact each other if not at home, and who should be notified next in an emergency. This ensures everyone knows what to do if something happens.
• Power Outage Backup: The Ring Alarm system includes battery and cellular backup. If power goes out, the Base Station remains powered for up to 24 hours. If professionally monitored, cellular backup ensures that alarm signals are still sent to the monitoring center even if the internet is down.

ring Base Station Specifications