Abstract: A multiple sensor intrusion alarm system including a central controller which communicates with a plurality of sensors over a single, interconnecting cable. The controller periodically polls each of the sensors, and in response to this polling signal, each sensor returns a signal indicating its status. The absence of a return signal from a particular sensor indicates to the controller that the sensor is malfunctioning or has been tampered with. In a preferred embodiment, the interconnecting cable is a single, two-conductor cable. The controller may also be connected to an alarm panel or remote monitoring station to indicate the presence of an alarm condition.