In one example embodiment, an alarm unit for monitoring or detecting presence of an analyte on an analyte sensor comprises a square plastic casing protecting the alarm electronics portion and including a signal processing means, a clip attachment means configured to be separated and attached from the casing and used to attach the unit to clothing. The clip attachment has enough clearance to be used with thick articles of clothing including diapers and has a set of teeth frictionally held against a rubber strip portion located on the casing back so as to also enable secure attachment to very thin articles of clothing. The alarm unit may further comprise a three-way switch located externally for easy alarm chime and alarm volume selection. Interdependent modes of operation may enable the signal processing means to control the alarm unit operation and features including low power indication, improper cable plug installment, three-way switch deactivation during Monitor mode, and a snooze/reset feature by which the alarm is disabled temporarily so that, as an example, a user can focus on running to the bathroom where the device is used to treat enuresis.