What is an annunciator used for?

• A. A display showing the time.
• B. A device that transmits signals to the monitoring center.
• C. A keyboard used to arm the system.
• D. A panel that lists alarm zones, typically with visual lights or audible indicators that provide identification of tripped sensor.

Answer: (D)

An annunciator is the panel that lists alarm zones and shows which one has been triggered, usually with visual lights or audible indicators. It acts as a quick map of the system’s status, so responders can identify the exact location of a sensor that has tripped without parsing multiple alerts. It’s not used to display time, not the device that transmits signals to a monitoring center, and not a keyboard used to arm the system. Instead, it provides clear identification of tripped sensors by listing zones and lighting or sounding for the specific area, making rapid response and investigation easier.