What are alarm systems?

Talking of security is more defined if you have a proper alarm system installed in the house. As the name suggests, a well maintained and accurate alarm system alerts you by doing the most important job, i.e alarming you. It is obvious that the preceding mishaps can be very well stopped if you get the right signal at the most appropriate time.

Types of alarm systems

Refining alarm system by the place and purpose of its use, alarm systems come up with wide variety of choice.

• Door Sensors
  • Surface Door contacts
  • Garage door contacts
  • Recessed Door contacts
• Motion Detectors
  • Motion sensors
  • Pet immune motion systems
  • Outdoor motion Sensors
• Indoor/outdoor Sirens
• Life Safety
  • Smoke and heat detectors
  • Carbon monoxide  detectors
• Window sensors
  • “Button” Glass break detectors
  • Glass break detectors

Things to Remember About Alarm Systems

Burglars realize most security systems sound inside the house and then the alarm is transferred to remote locations through the telephone lines.

Most phone lines are typically exposed on the outside of the house in an easily accessible location where the phone line can be cut. If the telephone line is cut, the security alarm system cannot notify the central monitoring station of the break-in.

If the phone line is run underground until it is inside the home (with the main telephone junction box inside the home), the thief cannot tamper with the telephone line until after he or she has broken in.

What Should a Security Alarm System Include?

Most systems rely on a combination of contacts placed at doors and windows and motion sensors.

It is best that all exterior potential points of entry have contacts that sense when they are open. Glass break sensors are also available and recommended.

Motion sensors should not be used as the primary means of detection because they do not detect someone until they are already in the house.

The basic elements of a standard home security system include:

• Control panel: This is where the system wiring terminates, the backup battery is located and where it is connected to the phone lines if it is a monitored system.
• Keypad: This is where the system is armed and disarmed.
• Siren
• Inside motion detector: These sense changes in a room caused by human presence. Special motion detectors are available for people who have pets.
• Door and window contacts: This sounds the alarm when the door or window is opened (and the system is on).