Trouble relays are being integrated into more and more safety and security equipment to provide added safety and security features. For example, a trouble relay can act as power supervision device so that if the power is accidental turned off to a safety device like a smoke detector, the security system can indicate that the power has been disconnected and that the area is no longer being monitored for smoke. This is true for security devices as well, for example if a burglar cuts the power connection to a motion detector, then the system is able to indicate a loss of power and a particular area is no longer being monitored for motion. Trouble relays can also indicate that a detector has failed its self diagnostics and it isn’t capable of performing its monitoring function. Another function of a trouble relay is to indicate when the sensing element within the detector has worn out, at which time the user can be notified. Before trouble relays, a detector might have had its power inadvertently removed, its electronics fail, its sensor worn out with anybody realizing that critical monitoring functions were going un-monitored. Check the manufacturing data sheets of all your safety and security detectors to see what specific functions the trouble relay provides.