An alarm system will have a siren. The siren will sound if a door, bonnet or boot is opened while the alarm is armed. All AVS alarms also include a minimum of two immobilisers. Sensors can also be added, or come standard, with alarm systems.
The alarm is hooked up to the car’s central locking system so the doors will lock/un-lock via the remote when the alarm is armed/disarmed. All AVS alarms work in this way.
Most late model cars already have a central locking system (all the doors lock and un-lock when the key is turned in the drivers door) although some cars will still require an additional door motor to power the driver’s door. If your car does not have a central locking system door motors can be fitted to each door where central locking is required. Each door motor required is an additional charge.
The siren will sound if a door, bonnet or boot is opened while the alarm is armed. This is a standard feature on all AVS alarms. Some cars need after-market switches fitted for this feature will work but your AVS installer will advise if they are required.
An immobiliser cuts power to one of the circuits (fuel, ignition, crank) in the car so the car cannot be started unless the system is disarmed via the remote. All AVS alarms include a minimum of two immobilisers and the AVS S-Series systems have three immobilisers.
Automatic immobilisers will immobilise the vehicle 38 seconds after the ignition is turned off as well as when the alarm is armed. You will still be able to get in and out of the vehicle but the car cannot be started unless the system is disarmed via the remote. This is a central part of the New Zealand Star Rating/insurance requirements as it helps protect your vehicle from opportunist theft during every day activities like filling the car with petrol. All the AVS alarms except the AVS 3010 have automatic immobilisers.
An Immobiliser system will have two or three immobiliser circuits. An immobiliser system does not include a siren or sensors.
PIN code override is a secure code that allows you to disarm the alarm in the event the remotes are lost or broken. This is a standard feature on most alarm systems today and replaces the old style override switch. It is part of the New Zealand Star Rating/insurance requirements. All AVS alarms have a PIN code override system.
The code the remote sends out changes every time the remote button is pushed. This prevents the code from being picked up by an electronic ‘code grabber’ and used at a later date to disarm the alarm.
A standard siren is powered from the alarm and does not have its own battery. The AVS 3010 has this type of siren.
A battery back-up siren has its own back-up battery and charging system so it will continue to sound even if power is cut to it from the car. The battery is automatically charged off your car’s electrical system. The AVS 9000 has this type of siren.
A data battery back-up siren has its own back-up battery and charging system so it will continue to sound even if power is cut to it from the car. The battery is automatically charged off your car’s electrical system. It also uses a data link between the alarm module and siren rather than a simple trigger wire. This makes it much more difficult for a thief to bypass the siren. The AVS S-Series range and the AVS A4 come with this type of siren.
Since October 2003 vehicle security products in New Zealand have been classified by the Star Rating system (1-5 Star). Systems from registered brands such as AVS are given a Star Rating based on the features of the system and its certification.
Star Rating takes into account the certification of each system. Certified systems have been independently laboratory tested and graded according to either the New Zealand/Australian certification or Thatcham (British) certification. Because AVS is a New Zealand brand our products are certified under the AS/NZS standard.
Briefly the Star Rating of a system includes:
Star Rated products have been assessed by the New Zealand Security Association and are insurance approved. Furthermore if you are purchasing a 3-5 Star Rated system (what insurance companies usually request) you know it has been independently laboratory tested to ensure it has certain security features and meets certain manufacturing standards. This means both you and your insurance company know your security system is recognized by the insurance body in New Zealand.
Your insurance company will tell you if a Star Rated system is required and what Star Rating you need. They take in to account the type of car you drive as well as your own insurance history.
Star Rated systems must be installed by a registered NZSA alarm installed for the Star Rating to be valid.
If you are looking at buying a car talk to your insurance company first. Because each insurance company may classify a vehicle differently check that you can get insurance for the vehicle, what Star Rating you need (if any) or if the system currently installed in the car meets your insurance company requirements.
If you would like further information on Star Rating check out the New Zealand Security Association website www.security.org.nz.