DSC AC-101

Acuity® Glassbreak Detector w/ Tamper

Average rating:

(based upon one review)

The DSC AC-101 is a glass break sensor from the DSC Acuity lineup. The device uses an omni-directional microphone to detect the sound of breaking glass that occurs anywhere in the room. It can actively distinguish between breaking glass and similar sounds. Buy the DSC AC-101 from Alarm Grid.
List Price
$90.00
Our Price
$64.99
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$25.01(28%)

Description

The DSC AC-101 Acuity Glass Break Detector with Tamper is a hardwired security sensor that is used to monitor glass windows or protective glass casings inside a home or business. The sensor's omnidirectional microphone is capable of detecting glass breakage that occurs within its protective range.

The Acuity Glass Break Sensor is centered around an advanced microprocessor that receives input from the device's omnidirectional microphone. The processor can distinguish between the sound of breaking glass and other sounds that have a similar frequency. The AC-101 can monitor plate, float, tempered, wired, and laminated glass from a maximum distance of up to 25 feet away. It should be mounted on a wall and have a clear line of sight to the glass for the best possible performance.

Decorative window coverings such as drapes and window shades can mute the sounds of glass breaking. For this reason, when protecting glass with these types of coverings, be sure to mount the DSC AC-101 as close to the protected glass as possible. The detector can be mounted on a wall opposite to, or adjacent to, the protected glass, but it cannot be mounted on the same wall as the glass to be monitored.

Before permanently mounting the DSC AC-101, care should be taken to test for proper operation and good detection capability. For this, you will need to use a glass break simulator. The DSC AFT-100 is the compatible simulator for this detector line, however, this simulator is no longer available from Alarm Grid. If you don't already have the proper glass break simulator, you may be able to find one in a secondary market.

In addition to the alarm relay, the AC-101 also has a tamper output. The tamper circuit is normally closed and opens when the cover of the detector is removed. The tamper output can be wired in series in the same zone as the alarm circuit, or it can be wired to a completely separate zone.

Please note that the AC-101 version of the Acuity Glass Break Detector is Form A, supporting normally closed wiring only, and includes a normally closed tamper switch. DSC also offers another version of the same sensor without a tamper switch, the DSC AC-100. A glass break detector with similar specifications, that can be mounted on the ceiling instead of a wall is also available. This is the DSC AC-500. This is also a Form A, normally closed detector with no tamper switch. There was a version of this detector with a tamper, the DSC AC-501, but it is no longer available.

Specifications:

  • Dimensions (L x W x D): 3.5" x 2.5" x 0.8" (89mm x 64mm x 20mm)
  • Input Voltage: 9 - 16 VDC
  • Standby Current: 24 mA @ 12VDC
  • Alarm Current: 32 mA @ 12VDC
  • Alarm Relay Contact Rating: 1A @ 24 VDC
  • Tamper Switch Contact Rating: 0.1A @ 24 VDC
  • Microphone Type: Omnidirectional Electret
  • Installer Test Mode: Jumper J1
  • Alarm Memory Mode: Jumper J2
  • Detection Level: Jumper J3

Brand: DSC

DSC AC-101 Compatible Products

DSC AFT-100 - Acuity® Glassbreak Simulator/Tester
DSC AFT-100
Acuity® Glassbreak Simulator/Tester
Reviews
Great Glass Break Sensor!
Submitted on 11/15/2019 Alarm Grid

The DSC AC-101 is a wired glass break sensor. It is part of the DSC Acuity lineup for hardwired glass break detectors. The device is used to monitor for broken glass events. This could be a broken window or a broken glass casing. The device works quite well, and any detractions we have about it are largely superficial. For that reason, we give it a 5 Star rating.

The best aspect of the DSC AC-101 is its advanced microprocessor. This helps the sensor actively distinguish between the sound of breaking glass and other high-pitched sounds. Our technicians have found that the sensor responds very reliably to true glass break events, while ignoring other similar sounds. We are very happy that this false alarm prevention feature was included. The device also includes an omni-directional microphone so that it can detect glass break events from any side. Another huge plus of the DSC AC-101 is the fact that it can detect the sound of breaking glass from up to 25 feet away. That is pretty far for a glass break sensor. The device also includes a tamper switch, which is good for letting the system know if someone tries to disable the device.

There are some downsides to the DSC AC-101. It is Form A, meaning that you can only use Normally Closed (NC) wiring. This is opposed to Form C wiring, where you can use either Normally Closed or Normally Open (NO) wiring. The DSC AC-101 only works with plate, float, tempered, wired, and laminated glass. If you have a different type of glass window, then the DSC AC-101 will not support it. We must also say that the design of the DSC AC-101 is quite ugly. It looks very dated and straight out of the 90s. This isn't much of a surprise considering it's a pretty old sensor from DSC. Still, it's something we wanted to mention.

The DSC AC-101 works very well, and any complaints we have are very minor. It gets 5 Stars.

Good: Advanced Microprocessor, Omni-Directional Microphone, Great Detection Range, Tamper Switch

Bad: Form A Wiring, Only Works w/ Certain Glass Types, Ugly Design

Bottom Line: 5 Stars

Frequently Asked Questions
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