A security alarm is basically a complex system made to detect possible intrusion, like unauthorized entry into a house or other locations like a factory or a business. If someone is trying to break into your house, the alarm will start ringing, which means the police are on their way. If you have a good alarm system, it can deter even burglars and fire starters, since they know that the police are nearby and will respond in just a few minutes. But how do you choose the right alarm for your house?
There are basically two types of house alarm systems: wireless and hardwired. Wireless ones need to be installed by a professional to ensure that they work properly, especially if there are doors or windows where the wires will pass through. Hardwired security alarms work in the same way, except they are not installed in your house but in the house of the potential intruders. They are installed on walls, floors and ceiling of your house and will eventually connect to the monitoring center.
There are various kinds of sensors used in alarm systems. Floor sensors can detect motion on the floor, while wall sensors detect movement on the wall. Concealed cameras and motion detectors are also available, so that only people entering your house will detect them. Yard alarms can detect motion or heat on the ground near your house, while smoke detectors can warn you if someone is smoking in front of your house. You can buy all these sensors separately, or you can combine them into a package, which will give you more value for your money.
Your alarm panel contains all sensors and switches that are activated when the alarm goes off. Each panel contains either a single sensor or multiple sensors, depending on the kind of protection you need. If you want the panel to detect intruders, you need a panel with at least one active pulse sensor. The panel then receives commands from the main control system and reacts to the commands received.
Smoke detectors must be placed in sensitive spots inside and outside your house. A regular electric current will not send out sufficient electric current to set off alarms. Also, the current should not pass through heating or cooling systems. In such a scenario, a heater or a blower is used to send out an electric current, which is strong enough to set off alarms.
Microwave detectors are suitable for wireless alarm systems. They use an ultra-thin metal antenna to detect magnetic fields emitted by objects within a few inches. This reduces false alarms and substantially reduces false battery usage. However, they do not work well in areas where buildings have poor insulation, or where buildings are constructed in such a way that there is a weak point in the structure. For this kind of installation, you may require help from professionals.
You can also get burglar alarm systems with monitoring capabilities. These are usually incorporated in the burglar’s alarm system. Depending on your requirements, you can either choose to have a monitoring system only, or one that integrates both with your alarm system. A monitoring system will automatically send an alert to your phone, your e-mails, a monitoring service (such as Interval Services), and the police. It will also send these alerts to an answering machine, your voice mail, your cell phone, and even to your child’s school e-mail. Depending on the features of your alarm, this may be all you need.
The types of sensors depend on several factors. For instance, they may detect intruders via heat, sound, infrared, motion, ultraviolet light, radio waves, or any number of other sensors. You can get sensors with a wide range of abilities, depending on how much protection you require. It is important, however, to make sure you get the right sensors for your needs.
