Considering getting a home alarm but don't know what to look for? No worries, here's a quick primer on the components of any good alarm system.
With crime on the rise, more and more people are opting to install home alarm systems.
The FBI estimates that a break in occurs around every 16 seconds, so home security systems are the smart way to go.
Even if your neighborhood may seem safe, and you've got a neighborhood watch program set up, your house still could fall prey to thieves; a home alarm could prevent that.
Home security systems consist of several main components.
These are sensors or detectors which will detect an unwanted intrusion; usually detects work using either microwaves, electromagnetism, audio, radar, or motion/vibration.
Detectors are set off when an electric current is broken or by transmitting signal to the main control unit.
Your control unit is the heart of your home alarm system.
It controls all other parts.
The control panel receives information from the sensors and subsequently sets off the alarm.
The alarm is the external bell or siren which sounds when one of the sensors has been tripped.
Alarms are designed to ward off any intruders and to alert members of the home that there is an intruder in their midst.
Alarms can be a constant noise, or programmed sequences.
Some alarms include vocal warnings or instructions; others incorporate flashing lights and they can be hooked up to the lighting system to switch on outdoor lights.
Some alarms are integrated with an automatic dialing device which automatically calls your monitoring service should an intrusion be detected.
Home alarms usually fall into two main categories, perimeter systems and interior space detectors.
The former comprises detectors or sensors placed on and around main entry locations such as windows and doors.
These usually work using magnetic detectors, switch detectors and glass break detectors for windows.
The alarm will be triggered if any of the sensors detect a foreign presence.
Interior space detectors, on the other hand are used to determine if someone is already in the house.
Think of it as secondary home alarm system.
Usually interior space detectors consist of things such as pressure mats which can be placed under carpeting or rugs near valuable items.
These detect changes in pressure.
Another interior detection device are ultrasonic motion detectors which use high frequency sound waves to detect any disturbance or movement, which will then trigger the alarm.
An audio detector senses sound vibrations such as shattering glass or moving furniture.
Infrared sensors project light beams, which when disturbed causes the alarm to go off.
These are often featured in heist movies.
Other components include a panic button.
These may be portable or placed in a discrete location.
They make it easier for victims to call for help without drawing any attention to themselves.
Temperature monitoring devices are somewhat new, but they add an extra layer of security as they can help detect fires and alert the fire department if a fire should break out.
There are many other home alarm features, but these are the most basic.