Surveillance Equipment

There is nothing more important than having a sense of safety and security.  Unfortunately, we live in a society where crime is up, which has resulted in the number of security alarm systems to be installed.  Years ago, only the affluent could afford a security system but today, there are many exceptional options available that fit within any budget.  As a result, people, structures, and belongings are protected.

Every security system is designed off the same concept but yet they operate in a unique fashion.  For instance, there are motion sensors that are made to detect movement inside or outside the home, glass breakage detectors, fire alarms, and so on.  Each of these alarms notifies a homeowner and security company if there is a potential or existing problem.  We wanted to address the various components of security alarm systems, which will help you decide on the right system.

Control Panel

Known as the heart of security alarm systems, the control panel is what all the associated sensors connect to.  When a signal is received from the sensor, the control panel analyzes the information, prompting it to send out the appropriate alarm to the various devices.  If security alarm systems are linked to a company or directly to law enforcement or the fire department, the control panel would send them a signal too, advising that something is going on.  Additionally, the control panel is what allows you to turn the system on and off.

Sensors

Sensors for security alarm systems vary.  There are door and window sensors that would trip the alarm if the home were entered.  Sensors are also available for the floor, which would send out the alarm signal based on weight.  In other words, if someone were to enter the home and in the process step on a floor sensor the weight of the body would cause the system to activate.

Contacts

Security alarm systems will use contacts, which are the small devices places on doors and windows so if they were to be opened, the alarm would go off.  The way contacts work is with the installation of a magnetic strip that goes between the window and window sill, as well as door and door frame.  If this seal or bond is broken, moved, or detached, the alarm would be set. It would be crutual for home security alarm systems.

Contacts—detect the opening and closing of doors and windows. Contacts alert your security alarm control panel when the magnetic bond between the door frame and the door or the window sill and the window is broken.

Output Devices

There are different options for output devices based on the choices made for security alarm systems.  Two of the most popular include strobe lights and sirens.  The strobe lights are made to flash on and off, which works to scare an intruder away while also alerting neighbor of potential problem.  Then with sirens, if security alarm systems are tripped, a loud siren would go off.

Detectors

Detectors are somewhat like sensors but often a little more precise.  For instance, some security alarm systems have infrared, corner, pet, ceiling, outdoor, glass breakage, and motion types of detectors.  Each security alarm systems’ type of detector is unique based on the homeowner’s needs but the following are the most popular choices.

• Infrared – Security alarm systems using infrared detectors are some of the newest, which are devices capable of detecting heat and/or movement level changes in a particular space or room
• Corner – For this type of detector, the position is in a corner so it offers the greatest coverage that would be set off by motion
• Pet – Known as Pet Immune Motion or PIR, body temperature of pets would not be able to trip the alarm.  However, if there were significant changes in temperature such as a person, then the alarm system would be able to detect this.
• Ceiling – The ceiling detector is a great option that can provide 360-degree coverage, making this a great choice where doors, furniture, or shelving would block a corner device
• Outdoor – In this case, the outdoor detector is often a choice with security alarm systems to alert the system and illuminate the exterior of the home whenever a person or vehicle approaches
• Glass Breakage – This type of detector works off sound frequency so if glass were broken within 35 feet from where the detector were installed, the system would be set off
• Motion – With motion, several movement ranges are set so if one if violated, security alarms would receive a signal