Alarm components

You might have an alarm already, but most likely you are still considering your options and might be confused as to what an alarm system should include. This article will help you out in deciphering the different components and how different systems work. Here they are:

Siren

An alarm system wouldn’t be doing itself justice if it didn’t have an alarm in the form of a bell or a siren. All alarms come replete with some form of an audible siren and some come with strobe lights. Most modern systems allow users to change the volume of the siren and the pitch. It’s important to make sure that your siren is at a high decibel volume in order to scare away intruders and alert neighbors before the police need to be dispatched.

The next major component of a security system is the perimeter detection sensors. This component is what sets off the alarm in case a burglar breaks through a window or door and enters the house or place of business. The perimeter can be secured by the following components: magnetic contacts, glass break detectors, and even foil.

Magnetic contacts

Usually for windows and doors, magnetic contacts are used to protect that entry point. All alarm companies will arm each door leading into the house, unless there are two doors leading into the house from a garage, for instance. Some alarm companies will also arm every window leading into the house, so long as there's not a great deal of windows. If that's the case, there is usually a free estimate to know how much you will be paying.

Alarms are triggered by the magnetic contact once it's broken, in other words, once the door or window is opened. Since the most common entry point for a burglar is breaking glass through a window or going straight through the front door, it makes it tricky just to have perimeter sensors protecting your residence or business. That’s why window contacts should be coupled with glass break detectors unless that area of the house is not already guarded by a motion sensor.

Glass break detector

This component is one of the most sophisticated of all and has been refined throughout recent years. Glass break detectors actually detect the frequency of window glass breaking through sound waves.

Before they were refined, glass break detectors would set off the alarm with merely the sound of a shattered glass of water, but now it has been perfected to the point where it can recognize the difference between window glass and dinnerware. As mentioned, glass break detectors are best used coupled with window contacts. In fact, they are probably a greater substitute to window contacts. Their major weakness is if a professional burglar were to cut a hole in the glass to break in. That’s why motion sensors are a necessity to create a trap zone against burglars if they are able to bypass glass windows or any other door or window contacts.

  

Motion sensors

Motion sensors are a must-have component for any security space. They normally are strategically located to guard a wide area or a long hallway.  These are the different type of motion sensors: passive infrared, ultrasonic, and microwave detectors.

• Passive infrared detectors

These are some of the most popular motion detectors. They are pet-proof and work well with wireless systems. Unlike the ultrasonic, they do not protect a blanketed radius of space. Passive infrared detectors are able to guard a 30-foot space and a 50-foot hallway. They shoot out invisible infrared beams a a ninety degree angle guarding any space that is visible from its location.

• Ultrasonic detectors

Ultrasonic pick up motion by emitting a high frequency sound. Although it is inaudible to the human ear, pets can be disturbed by this sound. The sound waves detected throughout rooms or hallways can trigger an alarm when the ultrasonic detector senses the change in frequency from movement. One disadvantage of ultrasonic is rooms with heavy drapes and thick carpet mute the sound frequency a lot making movement less detectable.

• Microwave detectors

Microwave detectors work the same way as ultrasonic, except they use high-frequency radio waves instead. These are much more sensitive because the waves can go through walls. Although these are highly functional components, passive infrared detectors are still preferred for more modern security systems.

A cost effective way to guard a perimeter of the house is to use foil. You may have seen foil on windows of houses, not only does foil block sunlight, it acts as a conductor. This makes it possible to set a home alarm off when broken into. Although they are unsightly, foil is the cheapest way to create a barrier from break-in.

All in all, passive infrared detectors have been the most popular recently. They are cost-effective and are suitable for homes, especially ones with pets. They are similar to museum infrared, without the red beam emitted from the sensor.