Everyone who knows me or has read my informational articles knows that when I install a security system it is generally one that is powerful enough to also provide home automation capability. But this time I want to put out as much information about the security components of a truly modern system as I can.
What is a Security Alarm?
There are not many people who are not at least familiar with a burglar alarm system even if they haven't actually been the individual arming and disarming the security system on a day-to-day basis. Most of us know that a security system consist of a main electronic controller which is normally mounted in a closet or perhaps in the garage. The system is linked to a telephone line so that it can dial out to a monitoring company in case of a burglary or fire. And of course all types of security devices are interlinked to this security controller which when violated cause the security system to go into the ALARM mode.
Emergency Power
One of the questions asked of me again and again is, "What happens if the power quits?" The response is that all security systems have a 12Vdc battery to provide back-up power during a power outage for whatever reason. Some installers double up on the number of batteries to provide additional time on the chance the power is out for awhile. With the power essencial for sirens, color touch screens, DC security devices as well as multiple security keypads, the norm is about thirty minutes of added operational time before the system goes dead. If however, the reason for the power failure is that a bad guy cut off your house power, there is ample operational time to call out to the monitoring company. Keep in mind that power in the range of 56Vac is provided continually on the telephone line by the telephone company even though the electrical grid is down. What most consumers do not understand is that if they have elected to have their telephone service delivered as an option by their local cable company, when the power goes out so does the telephone service.
The Telephone Service
The telephone service, which comes into the house from the outside world, is first connected to a device known as a RJ-31X. This component is also where the alarm ties in to attain its connection to the outside when an incident occationally takes place. It authorizes the telephone line to be seized anytime. The consequence is that if you are self involved in a lengthy conversation with one of your friends or relatives during a time when an alarm happens, you will be cut off right in the middle of your conversation as the RJ-31X will allow the alarm controller to call out on the telephone line.
Police and Fire Departments
Everybody knows that if an alarm system has been armed in the AWAY mode and a burglar intrudes a given home, the security system will go into the alarm mode. What many people do not know is that if a home owner is wise enough to install monitored smoke detectors, that the system will also call out to the fire department as well. This feature can and certainly has saved lives. Many times people do not wake up during a fire until it's too late as they are rendered unconscious by the noxious smoke generated during the fire. When you have a monitored smoke detector the fire department is called and will respond to your fire alarm. The next thing one realizes is that they are being awakened and rescued by firemen. The same cannot be said about standard smoke sensors mounted by an technician or procured at Home Depot.
Security Devices
There are many types of security devices used in a alarm system. The most routinelyused device is a magnetic contact installed in windows and doors. They do not require electrical power, however they will notify the security controller when a window or door is opened.
Motion Sensor
The second most significant device is the powered motion detector. There are two conductors which provide 12Vdc power to the device and two cables which are interconnected directly to one of the security zones on the security controller. More recently there are two technologies at work in the motion detector. The first is called passive infrared, which is another way of saying it will recognize body heat. The second technology is a Doppler shift which means that the detector sees movement in the area it is guarding.
Glass Break Detectors
Another well utilized device is the glass break detector. It is also wired much the same way as the powered motion detector. This device is installed near solid glass windows and doors and will go into the alarm mode when it senses glass breaking.
Photoelectric Beams
Even though these powered devices can be utilized in a multitude of ways they are not used as much as I suggest for two reasons. The first reason is that they are a little bit more expensive than other commonly used devices. The more likely reason they are not utilized more often is that many security installers don't know how to install them. They need to be installed on solid mounting surfaces so that there is no movement in the wind and they have to be calibrated both visually and electronically.
Get Command Of Your Expenditures
The keys to this technology are capability and cost. The downright best way to control these concerns is to install the alarm system yourself. To install one of these systems you will need to buy an installation guide on installing a specific system. Believe it or not, it's not all that hard to install the system. You simply need to know exactly what equipment to purchase, what connectors to install, how to mount the equipment, and how to power it up and program the system. If you did not understand the value of what I said earlier, now is the time to grasp the moment. Once the security devices and the alarm controllers are installed, the software does the configuration setup for you. That is what I am trying to say. Even though this is spectacular technology, it is really simple to install.
Installing Several Systems
It has been my experience that when people are contemplating one technology for their new or remodeled home, they are likely considering other systems as well. It would be in your best interest to have installation guides on each system you would like to include in your home. Read them all then procure your components, special tools, and wiring so that they are all on the job site in advance of your proposed start date.
Unfortunately I am limited in this format from explaining further about a alarm system. However, today I was able to at least acquaint you with the working parts of a system and lay the ground work for a more in depth detailed article about the many ways a security system can be wired to take advantage of the available technologies and therefore render a customized system for each home owner.
Some Tips To Choose A Relevant Home Security System
Regardless of the general opinion, home security monitoring system does not obligatory have to be incredibly expensive. The fact is that when going a little bit of research you will surely find some relevant solution. The truth is that many security companies differ in what they offer their consumers. Before you make your final selection of the monitoring company you desire to hire here are some issues on how to save a good deal of your money while at the same time safeguarding your family and personal property items.
In general some of the questions you are strongly recommended to consider before purchasing some monitoring services are as the following ones:
1. Does the company considered offer 24 hour 7 day a week monitoring services?
2. Is their personnel well trained and well educated?
3. Is there any back up system available? What will your house security company do if the power goes out, or the central computers crash?
4. Will your house security system be installed for free?
5. Do they offer Wireless home security alarm solution?
6. Do they give you some reviews and referrals on their services?
After you get some answers for these questions it is a good idea to pay your attention to some tips that make your choice of home protection security systems even better.
Tip 1. Hire A Security Company Being Well Established
If the case in your neighborhood where there are plenty of houses protected with some security systems it is a wise idea to ask people living around what home security systems they use. It is also a pretty wise idea to check to see if the security company is any credible by means of searching the Better Business Bureau ratings.
Tip2. Don’t Get Lured By Promotional Tricks And Ads
It is absolutely true fact that in some cases it is helpful to select one of home protection systems providers that will work with just about any security system so that you will not get stuck in a ten years contract with one company that turns out to be not very good. Therefore, it is a smart idea to avoid long term contracts. Remember that the issues of the type generally start with very luring low promotional prices.
Tip3. Get Free Quotes From Home Security Companies
It goes without any objection that free home security systems quotes are the best solution to get the most relevant and professional protection for your property and family members.
A Look At The History Of Home Security Systems
Home security systems goes back a little further than you may expect but the history of home security systems is a long one depending on how you look at it. Back in the medieval times kings had their own home security systems in their castles. Guards were posted in and around the castle and a moat was dug around the castle to try and fend off invaders. Sometimes the moat was filled with water or sometimes it was filled with a flammable liquid that could be ignited from the castle if invaders were caught in it. The notion that there were alligators in castle moats is a legend and very rarely were any dangerous creatures put in the castle moats.
The history of home security systems marched on and for a very long time the only people that could really afford home security were the wealthy. Prior to the 1980's home security meant expensive camera surveillance and the hiring of several guards to patrol the grounds. But as the 1980's approached the history of home security systems started to take a turn towards the average home owner and as technology rapidly advanced then so did the history of home security systems. In the 1980's companies like ADT and Brinks, names known for their communication and security histories for decades, decided to start offering security for the home. The home systems were not the same as the commercial systems but they had the same effect and soon millions of American homes were protecting themselves from intruders. As society became more violent from the 1950's to the 1990's people started taking their home security very seriously. Then technology kept advancing and as we launch into the 2000's the history of home security systems takes a turn towards more of the do it yourself approach.
The End Of Home Security Companies?
Today the history of home security systems is littered with advances in technology that allow anyone that can hook up a DVD player to be able to set strategic cameras around their property and monitor their house, inside and out, on the internet from any computer in the world. Some companies started selling do it yourself home security kits and people started to feel safer with the notion that they were installing their home security system rather than some stranger walking around their house and learning the weak spots in the home's security.
Today the history of home security systems is headed straight toward the world of do it yourself and more and more elaborate systems are being created that can be easily installed and monitored by the home owner themselves. Maybe soon there won't be a need for home security companies anymore.
What is Necessary for a Home Security System?
I used to work for a home security system installation company. I know how confusing it can be trying to decide exactly what features to include in your home security system.
Do you need motion sensors? Door contacts? What are the necessary components of a home security system and what is just extra fluff?
Homeowners should be well educated before accepting the quote for a home security sytem. Some items are absolutely necessary. Other items are only useful in a handful of situations.
Panel
This is the "brains" of the home security system. This is absolutely necessary for your system to work. Every other part of a home security system is wired into the panel.
Door Contacts
An intruder is likely to try entering through an easy access point, such as a door. I suggest that you secure all of your exterior doors with a door contact. When the home security system is armed, the door contact senses when the door opens. This causes the alarm to go off.
Window Contacts
Window contacts work like door contacts. The home security system's alarm is triggered by the window being opened.
It may or may not be a good idea to use window contacts. If you have only one window in the room, then a window contact may be a good idea. However, if a room has several windows, it may be more cost effective to install a motion detector.
Motion Detector
A motion detector protects the entire room. This includes windows. It will also pick up the movement of someone getting up for a midnight snack, so they aren't effective in high traffic areas. However, they are a great addition to a home security system while everyone is out of the house.
Motion detectors are unnecessary in rooms that have no windows or exterior doors. An intruder would have to walk through other areas of the home in order to get to the room. The home security system would already
have gone off by the time they reached an interior room.
You don't have to worry about your pets stopping you from installing a home security system. There are "smart" motion detectors that will recognize a human moving about, but will not go off if a dog or cat is moving in the room.
Some motion detectors also have a glass break sensor. It is attuned to the sound of breaking glass. If a window were broken, the alarm would go off. A window contact will not cause the alarm to go off if the window were broken.
Monitoring
This is another key part of the home security system. While it is not a part that can be installed, it is vital to the security of a home.
When a home security system is monitored, the security system is able to use the telephone line to call the authorities if a break-in occurs.
If an alarm is tripped, the home security system usually calls a monitoring center. An employee of the monitoring center will telephone the authorities. A homeowner can also ask that he or she be called first in case of an alarm. This is to ensure that the security system has not been accidentally set off.
By paying a small fee, a homeowner can be assured their home is constantly being monitored.
A Basic Home Security System Consists Of...
A panel
An alarm
Door contacts for each exterior door
Window contacts for bedroom windows and other windows that are easily accessed from the outside
Motion detector in the main living area of the home (used only when all residents are gone)
Monitoring
There are other advanced components that can be added to a home security system. For example, a larger house may have several motion detectors with glass break sensors. A smaller home may only need one.
By understanding the purpose of each part of a home security system, consumers can be sure they are protecting what is dearest to them without spending an excessive amount of money on items they do not need.
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