This article discusses the basic idea of the alarm systems.
There are two types of alarm systems: hardwired and wireless.
* Hardwired systems
These systems are wired through the walls. All the sensors and detectors are all wired directly to the central control station. These systems are traditional choice.
* Wireless Systems
Nowadays, these systems are widely used. The systems have small transmitters that wirelessly communicate information to the central control station. Each sensor needs energy to transmit the radio wave, thus battery is required to make it work. Always check the battery. If it runs out, the systems will also not work properly.
Features to consider before buying alarm
The systems have numbers of capabilities, some of them are:
- easy-to-use controls
- door opening detection
- interior motion detection
- siren and alarm notification
- window opening detection
- smoke detection and many more...
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| Motion Detector Northtronic |
The photo here shows an example of motion detector. It is used to detect any movement inside the house. As it detects the motion, the alarm will sound if it is armed. Newer models today are invented to be pet immune. It can avoid false alarm usually caused by cat walking and the like. This model for example senses the movement any object of weight more than 38 kg. So there should be no worry about false alarm caused by pets anymore.
The other sensors also work similarly to motion detectors. The alarm sounds as the desired feature of sensors is detected. For example, magnetic door sensor is for door opening detection. It will activate the alarm, if the door is opened and the alarm is in armed condition.
The use of siren
Siren is used to sound the alarm in order to notify everyone nearby. The home alarm siren normally comes into two types: Internal siren and external siren.
Internal Siren
Newer alarm control panel models today are invented to have built-in siren. It is sufficient to notify the people in the house when the alarm is triggered, but it is not loud enough to tell anyone outside the house if the house is made of thick walls.
External Siren
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| External Siren Box with Strobe Light |
In order to make alarm system perform better, this accessory is highly recommended.It is usually mounted at the wall or facade outside. The typical external siren comes with the siren box with strobe light. This also can symbolize that the house is equipped with the home alarm system and the intruders will think twice to get into the house as they see this box. The sound is normally loud enough to notify the neighbours and also to make those intruders feel panicky. Today, the external siren looks more elegant and smaller, but it still sounds loud and fulfil the original purpose of external siren.
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| Smaller External Siren Northtronic |
The Alarm System
The alarm will only function, when the system is in armed condition. There are several ways to arm and disarm the system. Normally, remote controls are provided. But newer models can use the GSM and phone signal to communicate with control panel.
As described earlier, the system is functioning as the siren sounds, but the system also can tell the home owners by SMS or phone call, when they are away from home to inquire if the police should be contacted.
