Why would extensive alarm wiring act like an antenna?

• A. Improves signal reception
• B. Reflects external radio noise
• C. Reduces detection sensitivity
• D. Causes RF interference to be picked up

Answer: (D)

Long alarm wiring can act like an antenna because long conductors readily pick up radio frequency energy from the surrounding environment. That energy can couple into the wiring and travel to the control panel or sensors, introducing unwanted signals. This is why the wiring ends up with RF interference being picked up—the wiring is effectively capturing ambient RF energy. It doesn’t improve signal reception; it tends to add noise and potential false readings. It’s not primarily about reflecting external radio noise, and it doesn’t inherently reduce detection sensitivity—any interference shows up as spurious signals rather than a cleaner, stronger true signal.