G

Gain

Increased signal power, usually the result of amplification.

Gang Box

Electrical outlet box made by joining two or more boxes together to form a larger box.

Gateway

A device (or software process) that translates entire protocol stacks.

Gauge

A measure of the diameter of wire. See American Wire Gauge.

General Alarm

A term usually applied to the simultaneous operation of all the audible and visible alarm notification appliances on a system to indicate the need for building evacuation.

Gigabit Ethernet

1000 Mbps Ethernet over unshielded twisted pair cabling. See 10BaseT.

Glassbreak Detector

A device that senses an attack on a glass surface.

Granular

A word often used to characterize the scale or level of detail in a set of data.

Graphic Annunciator

A board that has special graphics to delineate alarm or sensor locations.

Ground (GND)

An electrical connection to the earth. See Earth Ground.

Ground Fault

1. A loss of a ground connection.

2. A short circuit to ground.

Ground Start

A method of accessing a dial tone where the panel momentarily shorts the ring side of the telephone circuit to the ground. Most phones use the loop start method of signaling, while PBX trunks use ground start. Whether a system uses ground start or loop start depends on the local phone company central office requirements.

Guard Tour (Watch Tour)

The programmed patrol guard schedule in and around the facility.