The AIC card provides provisionable input/output alarm contact closures for up to four external alarms and four external controls. The physical connections are made using the backplane wire-wrap pins. The alarms are defined using CTC and TL1. For instructions, refer to the Cisco ONS 15454 Procedure Guide.
Each alarm contact has a corresponding LED on the front panel of the AIC that indicates the status of the alarm. External alarms (input contacts) are typically used for external sensors such as open doors, temperature sensors, flood sensors, and other environmental conditions. External controls (output contacts) are typically used to drive visual or audible devices such as bells and lights, but they can control other devices such as generators, heaters, and fans.