Vista 10 / 12 / 20 / 48 Guide

ADT's self help desk allows you to troubleshoot your alarm system. Find out how to use your Vista 10/12/20/48 system, different features and controls.

A Vista Alarm Panel.

FAQs

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Alarm Memory

To Silence a Burglary Alarm

Enter your [User Code] and press the [OFF] key to silence the alarm (or warning tones of a memory of alarm). Note the zone in alarm on the keypad display, and make that zone intact (close door, window etc.).

Now enter your [User Code] and press the [OFF] key again to clear the alarm memory. If the display will not clear, Troubleshooting required.

NOTE: A Burglary alarm is a continuous/ steady sound.

NOTE: A Fire alarm is an interrupted/ pulsed sound.

Typical Display of Burglary Alarm:

ALARM 05
MASTERBEDROOM

Alpha

05 Ac
MASTERBEDROOM

Arming The System

PIN + AWAY(2) or # + 2
This will Arm with Entry/Exit Delay

PIN + STAY(3) or # + 3
Partial Zones programmed by Technician will arm with Entry/Exit Delay

PIN + INSTANT(7)
Perimeter Armed with Exit Delay, NO Entry Delay

PIN + MAXIMUM(4)
This will arm without Entry/Exit Delay

Quick Arm:

If your system supports “Quick arming”, the [#] key can be pressed in place of the security code when arming the system.

NOTE: The security code is always required, however, when disarming the system.

Entry/ Exit Delay:

Your system has preset time delays, known as exit delay & entry delay. When you arm your system, exit delay gives you time to leave through the entry/exit door without setting off an alarm. Entry delay gives you time to disarm the system when you re-enter the through the entry/exit door. The system must be disarmed, however, before the entry delay period ends, or an alarm will occur. The keypad will beep slowly during the entry delay period, reminding you to disarm the system.

You can also arm the system with no entry delay at all by using either INSTANT or MAXIMUM arming modes. These modes can provide greater security while you are sleeping or while you are away for extended periods of time.

Exit Delay Alerting Sound:

When arming AWAY or MAXIMUM, slow beeps will sound from the keypad (s) during the exit delay, turning to fast beeps during the final five seconds of the exit delay time.

NOTE: Remember, there will be no ENTRY delay when arming with INSTANT or MAXIMUM.

Checking for Open Zones:

Before arming your system, all protected doors, windows and other protection zones must be closed or BYPASSED, otherwise the keypad will display a “Not Ready” message, and if your keypad has a READY indicator light, it will not be lit. The READY key can be used to display all faulted zones, making it easier for you to secure any open zones.

To display faulted zones, simply press and release the READY [*] key (do not enter code first)

Secure or bypass faulted zones displayed before arming the system.

A “Ready” message will be displayed and the keypad’s READY indicator light (if present) will be lit. The system can then be armed, if desired.

Typical Displays when Not Ready to Arm:

DISARMED – PRESS *
TO SHOW FAULTS

Alpha

AC
Not Ready

Typical Displays Indicating Open Protection Zone (after pressing READY key):

FAULT 06 FRONT
UPSTAIRSBEDROOM

Alpha

06 AC
Not Ready


Fixed Word

Typical Displays when Ready to Arm:

**** DISARMED ****
READY TO ARM

Alpha

AC
Ready

Bypassing

Bypassing Protection Zones

Bypassed zones are unprotected and will not cause an alarm if violated while your system is armed.

All bypasses are removed when an OFF sequence ([User Code] plus [OFF]) is performed.

The system will not allow fire zones to be bypassed

Using the Bypass key: (6)

This key is used when you want to arm your system with one or more zones intentionally unprotected. The system must be disarmed first.

  1. Enter your [User Code] and press the [BYPASS] key.
  2. Enter the zone number (s) for the zone (s) to be bypassed (e.g., 06, 10, 13, etc) Single digit zone numbers must be preceded by a zero (e.g., 05, 06)
  3. When finished, the keypad will momentarily display a “Bypass” message for each bypassed zone number. Wait for these zones to be displayed, to confirm their bypass. Arm the system as usual.

Typical Momentary Displays of Bypassed Zone

BYPASSED 06 FRONT
UPSTAIRSBEDROOM

Alpha

06 Ac
BYPASS

Quick Bypass:

If your system supports “Quick Bypass”, it allows you to easily bypass all open (faulted) zones without having to enter zone numbers individually. This feature is useful if, for example, you routinely leave certain windows open when arming at night. To use this feature, enter your [User Code], press the [BYPASS] key, then wait, in a few moments, all open zones will be displayed along with a “Bypass” message. Wait for all bypassed zones to be displayed, then arm the system as usual.

Typical Displays of Ready to Arm With Zones Bypassed:

DISARMED BYPASS
READY TO ARM

Alpha

Ac
BYPASS READY

Fixed Word

Changing The Date & Time

Viewing the Time & Date

1. Enter the Master Code + [#] + [6] [3], or if programmed, press the designated function key.

The system lets you view it’s Time & Date setting.
The display remains on for about 30 seconds.

To Set the Time & Date:

1. Enter the Master Code + [#] + [6] [3], then press [*] while the Time & Date is displayed.
A cursor appears under the 1st digit of the hour.
NOTE: To move the cursor ahead, press [*]. To go back, press [#].

2. Enter the 2-digit hour setting; enter the 2-digit minute setting.

3. Enter the last two digits of the current year.

4. Enter the 2-digit month setting (01-12), enter the 2-digit day setting (01-31).

5. Press [*] to accept the settings and continue.

The Clock Adjustment prompt is now displayed. This prompt lets you add or subtract up to 59 seconds per day, if needed, to keep the real-time clock accurate.

1. Press [0] to add seconds per day, or press [1] to subtract seconds per day.

2. Enter the desired number of seconds per day (01-59) to add or subtract.

3. Press [*] to accept the settings and exit. This mode automatically exits after 10 seconds.

Disarming The System

The OFF key is used to Disarm the system and to silence alarm and trouble sounds

Using the Off Key: (1)

To Disarm the System:

1. Enter your [User Code] and press the [OFF] key.

The “Ready” message will be displayed, and the keypad will emit a single tone to confirm the system is disarmed

Chime Feature

When activated, three tones will sound at the keypad whenever a door or window is opened. Pressing the [READY] key will display the open protection points. This feature can only be used when the system is disarmed.

Using the Chime key : (9)

To turn Chime mode on:

  1. Enter the [User Code] and press the [CHIME] key.
  2. The CHIME message will appear.

To turn Chime mode off:

  1. Enter the [User Code] and press the [CHIME] key.
  2. The CHIME message will disappear.

Function Keys

Your system may have been programmed to use special keys to manually activate panic functions. The functions that might be programmed are listed below.

See your installer for the function (s) that may have been programmed for your system. Your installer should note the functions that are active in your system.

Active Panic Functions:

Keys

[1] and [*]

[3] and [#]

[*] and [#]

To use a paired key panic function, simply press both keys of the assigned pair at the same time. If your keypad has lettered keys for panic functions, press the designated key and hold down for at least 2 seconds to activate the panic function.

Types of Panic Alarms

A silent emergency:

Sends an alarm signal to the alarm monitoring company, but there will be no audible alarms or visual displays.

An audible emergency:

Sends an emergency message to the alarm monitoring company and sounds a loud, steady alarm at your keypad and at any external sounders that may be connected (“ALARM” plus a zone number are also displayed).

A personal emergency:

Alarm sends an emergency message to the alarm monitoring company and sounds at keypads, but not at external sounders. (“ALARM” plus a zone number are also displayed).

A fire alarm:

Sends a fire alarm message to the alarm monitoring company and uniquely activates keypad and any external sounders (“FIRE ALARM” plus a zone number are also displayed).

Fire Reset

Your fire alarm is on 24 hours a day, for continuous protection. In the event of an emergency the smoke/ heat detectors will automatically send signals to your system, triggering a loud, interrupted pulsing sound (3 pulses
pause, 3 pulses pause, 3 pulses repeated) from the keypads and exterior siren if installed.

FIRE message will appear at the keypad and remain on until you silence the alarm

Typical Fire Emergency Displays:

FIRE 05
MASTERBEDROOM

Alpha

05 AC
ALARM
FIRE

Fixed Word

Silencing Fire Alarms:

1. You can silence the alarm at any time by pressing the [OFF] key (the user code is not needed to silence fire alarms).

2. To clear the display, enter your [User Code] and press the [OFF] key again (to clear memory of alarm)

3. If the keypad’s fire indication does not clear after the second OFF sequence, smoke detectors may still be responding to smoke or heat producing objects in their vicinity. Investigate, and should this be the case, eliminate the source of heat or smoke.

4. If this does not remedy the problem, there may still be smoke in the detector. Clear it by fanning the detector for about 30 seconds.

5. When problem has been corrected, clear the display by entering your [User Code] and pressing the [OFF] key

Manually Triggering a Fire Alarm:

Should you become aware of a fire emergency before your detectors sense the problem, go to your nearest keypad and manually initiate an alarm by pressing the appropriate panic key (s), assigned for FIRE.

Press and hold the lettered key assigned for FIRE for 2 seconds

Or

Press the key pair assigned for FIRE

A

Or Press [1] & [*] at the same time

B

Or Press [*] & [#] at the same time

C

Or Press [3] & [#] at the same time

Test Mode

The Test key puts your system into test mode, which allows each protection point to be checked for proper
operation. No alarm reports will be sent to the Central Monitoring Station while in TEST Mode.

Using the test key: (5)

Disarm the system and close all protected windows, doors, etc. The keypad’s READY message should be
displayed and the READY indicator (if present) should be lit.

Enter your [User Code] and press the [TEST] key

As the test mode is entered, the external bell or siren will sound for 2 seconds then turn off.

Each time a protection zone is faulted, the keypad sounds 3 beeps.

The keypad will sound a single beep every 40 seconds as a reminder that the system is in TEST mode.

Open and close each protected door and window in turn and listen for the required sounds. The
identification of each faulted protection point should appear on the display.

Walk in front of any interior motion detectors and listen for the required sound as movement is detected.
The identification of the detector should appear on the display when it is activated.

NOTE: Wireless PIR units will send signals out only if they have been inactive for 3 minutes.

Follow the manufacturers instructions to test the smoke detector, to ensure that all are functioning properly.
The identification of each detector should appear on the display.

After all protection points have been checked and restored, there should be no zone identification numbers
displayed.

Turn off the TEST mode by entering the [User Code] and pressing the [Off] key.

Trouble Messages

The word “CHECK” on the keypad’s display, accompanied by a beeping at the keypad indicates a trouble condition
in the system.

To silence the beeping for these conditions, press any key.

1. A display of “CHECK” and one or more zone numbers indicates that a problem exists with the displayed zone(s)
and requires your attention. Determine if the zones displayed are intact and make them so if they are not. If the
problem has been corrected, the display can be cleared if you enter the OFF sequence. (User Code and OFF)
twice.

2. If there are wireless sensors in your system, the CHECK condition may also be caused by some change in the
environment that prevents the receiver from hearing a particular sensor.

3. If you cannot correct a “CHECK” display, or if it is for a fire zone, service will be required.

Typical CHECK displays:

CHECK 06 FRONT
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM

Alpha

06 Ac
CHECK

Fixed Word

Words or letters in parentheses ( ) are those that are displayed on Fixed-word keypads.

COMM. FAILURE (or FC)Indicates that a failure has occurred in the telephone communication portion of your system
SYSTEM LO BAT (or BAT no Zone No.)Indicates that a low system battery condition exists, and accompanied by a once per minute beeping at the keypad. If this condition persists for more than one day (with AC present) Service required
LO BAT + Zone Descriptor (or BAT with zone No.)Indicates that a low battery condition exists in the wireless transmitter number displayed, and accompanied by a once-per-minute beeping at the keypad. Either replace the battery yourself or organise service. If the battery is not replaced within 30 days, a CHECK display may occur.Some wireless sensors contain a non-replaceable long-life battery which requires replacement of the entire unit at the end of the battery life. (e.g. 5802 Pendant and 5802cp belt clip personal emergency transmitter and 5803 wireless key transmitter)
MODEM COMM (or CC)Indicates that the control is on-line with the central station’s remote computer. The control will not operate while on-line. Wait a few minutes. The display should disappear.
AC LOSS (or NO AC)The system is operating on battery power only due to a power failure.
Busy-Standby (or DL)If this remains displayed for more than 1 minute, system is disabled. Service is required.
OPEN CIRCUIT (or OC)The keypad is not receiving signals from the panel.
Long Rng Trbl (or bF)If programmed, back up long range radio communications has failed. Service required.

Total Power Failure

If there is no keypad display at all, and the power indicator (if present) is not lit, operating power (from AC & back-up battery) for the system has stopped and the system is in-operative. Service required.

About the Display and Indicators:

Fixed WordDisplay Definitions
ALARM:Appears when an intrusion has been detected and the system is armed (also appears during a fire alarm or audible emergency alarm). Accompanied by the protection zone in alarm.
AWAY:All burglary zones, interior and perimeter, are armed.
INSTANT:Perimeter burglary zones armed and entry delay is turned off.
FIRE:Appears when a fire alarm or fire fault is present. Accompanied by a display of the zone in alarm.
BAT:Low battery condition in a wireless sensor (if zone number is displayed) or low system battery (if no zone number is displayed)
AC:Appears when AC power is present
NO AC:Appears when AC power has been cut off. System is operating on back-up battery power.
CHIME:Appears when the Chime feature is activated.
MESSAGE:Appears when a message has been recorded and has not yet been played back.
BYPASS:One or more burglary protection zones have been bypassed.
NOT READY:Appears when burglary portion of the system is not ready for arming (due to one or more open protection zones).
READY:The burglary portion of the system is ready to be armed.

User Code Change

At the time of installation, your installer programmed a personal 4-digit master code. This code is used to perform most system functions, including arming/ disarming of the system. As an additional safety feature, temporary user codes can be assigned for use by those not having a need to know the Master code.

NOTE: When performing any of the procedures that follow, do not allow more than 2 seconds to elapse between steps, otherwise the entry will be aborted, and the procedure must be repeated from the start.

To Assign a User Code:

Vista 10

  1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] key.
  2. Enter the single-digit User number for whom a code is to be assigned. (User Nos. 3 to 6 may be assigned)
  3. Enter the desired [4-digit code] for use by that user number. The keypad will beep once when a user code has been successfully entered.

Vista 12 – 20 – 48

    1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] (8) key.
    2. Enter the double-digit User number for whom a code is to be assigned.- Vista 12 -(User Nos. 3 to 17 may be assigned)
      – Vista 20 – (User Nos. 03 to 16 may be assigned)
      – Vista 48 – (User Nos. 4-24/26-40/42-49 may be assigned) Note: User 03 = Partition 1 Master, User 25 = Partition 2 Master, User 41 = Partition 3 Master Users
  1. Enter the desired [4-digit code] for use by that user number. The keypad will beep once when a user code has been successfully entered.


To Change a User Code:

Vista 10

  1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] key.
  2. Enter the single-digit User number for whom a code is to be changed.
  3. Enter the desired [4-digit code] for use by that user number. The keypad will beep once when a user code has been successfully entered.

Vista 12 & 48

  1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] (8) key.
  2. Enter the double-digit User number for whom you want to change.
  3. Enter the desired [4-digit code] twice for that user number. The keypad will beep three times when a user code has been successfully changed

Vista 20

  1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] (8) key.
  2. Enter the two-digit User number for whom a code is to be changed.
  3. Enter the desired [4-digit code] for use by that user number. The keypad will beep once when a user code has been successfully entered.

To Delete a User Code:

Vista 10 & 20

  1. Vista 10 – Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] key.
    Vista 20 – Enter your [Master Code] and (Code) (8).
  2. Enter the User number of user to delete and then stop. In a few moments, the keypad will beep once, indicating that the existing code has been deleted.

Vista 12 & 48

  1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] (8) key.
  2. Enter the double-digit User number for whom a code is to be deleted.
  3. Press the [#] and then [0] buttons.

Duress Code:

  • Vista 10 – The Duress code may be any 4-digit code assigned to user 8.
  • Vista 12 – The Duress code may be any 4-digit code assigned to users 4-17.
  • Vista 20 – The Duress code may be any 4-digit code assigned to user 16.
  • Vista 48 – The Duress code may be any 4-digit code assigned to users 4-24/26-40/42-49.


To program a Duress Code:

Vista 10 –

  1. Enter your [Master Code], press [8] twice then enter the 4-digit [Duress Code].
  2. The keypad will beep once. NOTE: Duress code must be different from Master code & other user codes

Vista 12 & 48 –

  1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] (8) key.
  2. Enter the double-digit User number for where the duress code is to be allocated.

Vista 12 –

  • (User Nos. 4 to 17 may be used)

Vista 48 –

(User Nos. 4-24/26-40/42-49 may be used)

  1. Press the [#] and then [1] and then [3] buttons.

NOTE: Duress code must be different from Master code & other user codes

Vista 20 –

  1. Enter your [Master Code] and press the [Code] (8) key.
  2. Enter [1] [6] for user 16 – duress code.
  3. Enter the 4-digit [Duress Code].
  4. The keypad will beep once.

NOTE: Duress code must be different from Master code & other user codes


To Change the Duress Code:

  • Vista 10 – Enter your [Master Code], press [8] twice then enter the 4-digit [Duress Code]
  • Vista 12 & 48 – See ‘To Change a Code’ above but enter the Duress code User number.
  • Vista 201. Enter your [Master Code], press the [8] key.
    2. Enter [1] [6] for user 16 – duress code.
    3. Then stop. When the keypad beeps once it signifies that the code has been deleted.

To Change your Master Code:

  1. Enter your [Master Code], press [8] key
  2. Press [0] [2]
  3. Enter your new [Master Code]
  4. Enter your new [Master Code] again.