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What is Grade 3?
Grade 3 is a European certification class for burglar alarm systems — designed for situations with elevated risk and professional intruders. On this page we explain what Grade 3 means, how it differs from Grade 2, and when it makes sense. Looking for the specific AJAX Superior product line? That is on a separate page.
EN 50131 in brief
EN 50131 is the European standard used by independent laboratories to assess how well an alarm system withstands sabotage, interference and targeted attacks. The standard defines four security grades. The higher the grade, the stricter the requirements.
Grade 1 & 2
Grade 1: minimal risk, inexperienced intruders. Grade 2: experienced intruders with basic tools. Most homes are well served by a properly designed Grade 2 system — for example AJAX with outdoor detection.
Grade 3
Protection against professionals with portable electronic equipment: masking, jamming, spoofing and tampering must be actively detected. Intended for banks, jewellers, museums — and increasingly for high-value homes.
Grade 4
The highest level, for extreme risk. Rarely relevant for private homes.
The weakest component counts
A system receives the grade of the weakest device in the configuration. One Grade 2 sensor in a Grade 3 setup? The entire system is rated Grade 2. More on certificates: licence & certification.
Grade 3 certificates come from independent European laboratories (EN 50131). Importantly, testing covers the full system under real-world conditions — not individual components on a bench. That is different from a sticker on a single device.
What does Grade 3 require technically?
Grade 3 goes beyond “something moved” or “a door opened”. The system must demonstrably resist targeted attacks:
- Anti-masking: the sensor detects when someone tries to cover, spray or manipulate the detection zone — even when the system is disarmed (relevant during longer vacancy).
- Tamper detection: dismantling or opening enclosures is reported within seconds.
- Jamming detection: signal interference is recognised — not ignored. When detected, the hub automatically switches between 17 frequencies across 4 European bands. See jamming & signal interference.
- G3 door and window sensors: built-in accelerometer (shock/tilt) and magnetometer against magnet spoofing — on top of standard opening detection.
- Spoofing protection: false signals or imitation of sensors must be blocked.
- Connection monitoring: loss of contact between hub and device within a short time (with AJAX: up to 36 seconds).
- Redundant communication: multiple connection paths where applicable (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, mobile).
Traditional Grade 3 systems were almost always wired: reliable, but expensive to install and invasive in the home. AJAX is the first manufacturer with a fully wireless Grade 3 ecosystem that has been independently tested.
Grade 2 vs. Grade 3
Grade 2 (standard AJAX)
- Suitable for most homes and holiday properties
- Jeweller protocol with jamming detection and strong encryption
- Combinable with outdoor detection and subscription-free ownership
- No alarms triggered by pets with professional placement
- Significantly lower investment than Grade 3
Grade 3 (Superior line)
- Stricter sabotage and masking requirements, laboratory tested
- Superior Jeweller protocol — on top of standard Jeweller
- Intended for villas, high contents value and elevated risk
- Only via accredited partners — no demo case at the door
- No pet immunity on G3 motion detectors: ultra-precise detection across the full area
Can be combined: Superior G3 devices and standard Jeweller sensors can work in one ecosystem. For a true Grade 3 installation, however, the full configuration must meet Grade 3 — we design and assess that on site.
Who is Grade 3 relevant for?
- Owners of large villas or estates with valuable contents.
- Homes where insurer, adviser or own risk policy explicitly requires Grade 3.
- Situations with long-term vacancy and elevated risk of targeted burglary or sabotage.
- Owners who consciously want the highest recognised level — not the cheapest package.
Not for everyone. For many homes in Spain, Grade 2 with professional outdoor detection is more than enough. Grade 3 is a conscious choice when your situation demands extra requirements. We advise honestly which level fits.
Wireless with wired-level reliability?
That is exactly what Grade 3 certification must demonstrate. With AJAX Superior that means: two-way communication, encryption, frequency hopping, authentication against spoofing and polling every 12 seconds. Connection loss is reported within 36 seconds. The Superior Hub G3 stays online via Ethernet, Wi-Fi and two SIM cards (2G/4G LTE) — relevant in Spain during power cuts or with an open meter cupboard on the street. The result is a wireless system with a reliability profile comparable to professional wired systems — without cables through walls and plasterwork.
The specific products, specifications and images of the Superior Jeweller G3 line are on our AJAX Superior Grade 3 page.
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Is Grade 3 needed for your home?
During a home visit we explain the difference between Grade 2 and Grade 3, and which setup makes sense for your situation. You meet the installers who will also install the system later.
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Next step: AJAX Superior Grade 3
On AJAX Superior Grade 3 you can read how Superior Grade 3 is built and who it is for. Or go to the full overview.