How do home burglar alarms work?

Home security is very important to all of us, and there are many home alarm companies producing security systems for DIY, or professional installation. In this article, how burglar alarms work and the different types of systems available are looked at.

How do they work?

Home security alarm Many of us are now choosing to use burglar alarm security to protect our property against intruders. Home burglar alarms let you know if a door or window of your home has been opened, or if an intruder has been in your home. The system uses small devices called sensors which are fitted to your doors and windows that usually come in two parts, one part fixes to the frame of the door or window, and the other is fitted next to it on the opening door or window. When the door or window is closed the two parts of the sensors nearly touch each other and this makes a magnetic circuit. When the door or window is opened, it will break the circuit. The sensors need to be connected in some way to the main burglar alarm control panel, so that when you activate the alarm, if a door or window is opened it will sound a high pitch alarm sounder. The two main types of home burglar alarm The wired alarm system needs a small cable running from each sensor to the main burglar alarm control panel. It’s a good idea to have this panel by the main entrance door , you can hence set and deactivate it as you leave or arrive home. A wireless alarm system does not need any wires to connect the sensors to the control panel. Instead it uses radio waves to send a signal to the control panel if the sensor is activated. This has the immediate advantage of not having any unsightly cables running round your home, or the extra work involved in running the cables. Both alarm systems also have provision for PIR (Passive Infra-Red) sensors to be installed in rooms and they respond to anything within the room giving off infra-red radiation (humans) once the alarm is set.

What happens if I am away on holiday?

Modern home alarm systems Home security systems can now be bought; they send a message to your mobile phone if your home alarm is activated while you are away. You can then either choose to return home, or contact the police or a neighbour and ask them to check on your home. You can also choose to have a monitored home security system where you pay a monthly amount to a home security service, and if the alarm is activated they send out someone to your home to investigate.