What is a tamper switch in a monitored device, and why is it important?

• A. A switch that detects unauthorized access to a device such as a control panel or valve; it triggers a supervisory signal if opened.
• B. A switch that measures temperature and humidity.
• C. A switch that controls power to the device.
• D. A switch that activates an audible alert only.

Answer: (A)

Tamper switches are used to detect unauthorized access to monitored devices. They are typically a normally closed contact wired into the device enclosure so that if the cover or the device itself is opened or moved, the circuit changes and a supervisory signal is sent to the fire alarm control panel. This immediate notification helps protect system integrity by showing that someone could be tampering with or disabling the equipment, so operators can take appropriate action and, if the system is monitored, alert the central station.

This isn’t about measuring environmental conditions like temperature or humidity, so it isn’t a sensor for those things. It isn’t a device that simply controls power to the equipment, and it isn’t designed to trigger just an audible alert by itself—the key role is to report tampering to the control panel as a supervisory event.