It is said that a burglary happens every three seconds in the United States and that $2,200 on an average is stolen on a daily basis. Local authorities and nationwide security companies claim that having a home security system in place can act as a deterrent to thieves, burglars and potential harm doers. Unfortunately, most folks turn a blind eye to a complete home security system in an effort to save hundreds of dollars in maintenance and surveillance costs per year.
Through this article, we hope to educate you on how a Home Security System operates and why it acts as a deterrent when used in completeness. We will also enlighten readers on the components of a security system.
1- The Basic Mechanism Of Operation :
We all have seen movies where an unexpected guest trips the alarm that sounds off from inside the house, sends a distress signal to the nearest police station and summons the owners to the premises from their faraway reverie. So, is this the security system you will actually be getting? We will talk on that a little later, but for now it is safe to say that this is the basic operational procedure for most modern day home security systems.
A home security system is basically a whole lot of alarm devices, motion sensors and detectors interconnected with each other through a central console or control panel – the brain of the system – that is housed securely in a state of the art casing.
When an intruder trips the motion sensors, kicks open a door or breaks through a window, the following things usually happen :
A trip in the circuit (More explained later) sends a signal to the central console that then usually sends a distress to the central monitoring system.
At the same time, a shrill alarm rings through the house.
Central monitoring representatives call back to the house immediately to check if the alarm has been accidentally tripped.
If there is no response, the appropriate authority (police for burglars, fire department for fires and so on) is dispatched immediately.
If there is a response, a secret pass code or password is asked.
The wrong code dispatches the police, right code cuts the alarm, resets the central console to its neutral state.
Components Usually Involved In A Home Security System
One can find literally hundreds of different components to add to an existing home security system but for the truncation of this article we will stress on door and window alarms, control panel, monitoring station and motion sensors.
2- Door And Window Alarms :
These alarms are either based on a closed circuit mechanism or an open mechanism. Wireless systems of today also rely on a similar system wherein a magnetic contact between the door/window and the adjoining frame holds a circuit within. In the former, a closed door keeps the circuit closed and when the alarm is armed, an opening or breaking of the circuit sends an alert to the control panel. On the other hand, with an open system, the door in the shut state keeps the circuit open and opening of the door closes the loop sending an alert to the central console. Basically, if a door or window is opened while the alarm is primed, the circuit is either broken or closed causing the central console to sound the alarm and go through the process described before.
GE Personal Security Alarm Kit Reviews
3- Motion Sensors :
This is a large category of security devices. Usually, a typical motion sensor either monitors change in light conditions or senses a break in its infrared web. Infrared sensors stream infrared light between two points and tripping it or breaking it sounds the alarm. On the other hand light based sensors usually measure changes in lighting conditions or the reflection of light and sound an alarm when there is a significant change.
Simplisafe2 Wireless Home Security System reviews
4- Control Panel :
Usually placed near the front door or close by, the control panel is where you input a code to deactivate the alarms and the sensor, check notifications, send requests to the central monitoring system and check the battery life of all associated alarms and sensors. Its your failsafe mechanism that prevents burglars from unauthorized access but lets family members access to the house. If you know the code, you are automatically assumed to be a part of the family. From the time the front door opens, the control panel starts counting backwards, usually up to 20 seconds or so, allowing you sufficient time to punch in the secret code. If you fail to feed the correct code then the console sends a direct alert to the monitoring station.
5- Central Monitoring Station :
This is where representatives sit alert 24/7 waiting for control panels from client homes to send in alert messages and other communications. They monitor the overall health of the security system, send notifications to users and stay in constant touch with the authorities. In the event of an alarm, they notify the home owner, make necessary calls to authorities and despatch help immediately, of an appropriate nature.
6- Why It Deters Intruders :
Its wrong to imagine a home security system preventing unauthorized entry because they don’t. Most home owners shun away these security measures under the pretence that they are a waste of money in front of those who are tech savvy or determined. Truth is that these systems only alert you and your monitoring agency to possible intrusions. So how does a home alarm system prevent robberies?
Consider this for a moment – a burglar who is determined to rob a house would ideally like an easy target. If a house has got home security system in place then its a harder prospect for the thief. On the other hand, a house with no security in place is an easy target waiting to be looted. Ask yourself this question – If you planned on a burglary would you choose a house with a security system or one without it?