What device is used to reduce standard commercial supply voltage to a lower voltage for use by an alarm system?

The device used to reduce standard commercial supply voltage to a lower voltage for use by an alarm system is a transformer. Transformers are electrical devices designed to transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction. They can step down (reduce) the voltage from a higher level found in commercial supply lines to a lower voltage suitable for powering alarm systems and other low-voltage devices.

For alarm systems, the typical commercial supply voltage is often around 120 volts or higher, while alarm systems usually require a lower operating voltage, commonly 12 volts or 24 volts. The transformer effectively performs this conversion, allowing the alarm system to operate safely and efficiently within its required voltage range.

While converters also change voltage levels, they often perform different functions, such as changing AC to DC or modifying other characteristics of the power supply. Regulators maintain a constant output voltage but do not inherently reduce input voltage. Amplifiers increase signal strength and are not designed for voltage reduction.