What Is a Glass Break Simulator?

A glass break simulator is a tool used to test glass break sensors by mimicking the sound of breaking glass. Producing a sound identical to that of breaking glass is the only way to truly test a glass break sensor. That is why alarm system manufacturers created glass break simulators.

A glass break sensor is a sensor that activates upon detecting the sound of breaking glass. These sensors are great for monitoring exterior windows, protective glass casings and other glass structures around a home or business. A glass break sensor will typically be enrolled as a Perimeter zone. This means that it will cause an instant alarm if activated while the system is in an Armed state. This includes both Armed Away and Armed Stay.

Although you can activate a glass break sensor's tamper cover to test the signal transmission, you would need to produce a "glass break sound" in order to perform a functional test. There are only two ways to produce this type of sound. The most obvious is to actually break some glass, which is dangerous, inconvenient and wasteful. Rather than breaking some glass, you can use a glass break simulator to mimic the sound and set off the sensor.

A glass break simulator will produce a sound that is specifically designed to set off a glass break sensor. In most cases, the glass break detector will need to be put into a test mode first. The requirements for setting off a glass break sensor will vary, depending on the type of glass break sensor, and how it is manufactured. The proper simulator will produce the sound required in order to test that the glass break is properly installed, and that it will activate in the event of a glass break incident.

Some glass break sensors, such as the Honeywell FlexGuard series, require both the low-pitched "thud" of an object striking against glass and the high-pitched "shattering" sound of the glass breaking. The FG701 requires that the customer strike the glass with their fist, which causes the low frequency "Flex" sound of glass under stress. This then makes the FG701 produce the high-pitched "shattering" sound. The glass break sensor, while in test mode, will hear both sounds and should indicate an alarm. This dual-detection process helps to prevent false alarms from similar sounds.

Although it may be technically possible to test a glass break sensor using a glass break sound on a phone or tablet, this is not recommended. A phone or tablet will have a tough time accurately depicting a true in-person glass break event. A glass break simulator is the best way to ensure that the sensor is functioning properly. When using a glass break simulator, you should test with the device from multiple angles to ensure that the sensor can pick up sound from all portions of the protected glass.

Alarm Grid offers the following glass break simulators:

• Honeywell FG701
• DSC AFT-100
• Interlogix 5709C-W