How to Protect Your Home with a Wireless Security System
The villians in many horror films have it easy. They just snip the wires leading to a telephone or home alarm system, and the system is rendered useless. Scary enough, but it is even scarier to think this could be true of your home as well. The answer is to protect your family and home against break-ins with a wireless security system.
A wireless home security system is a burglar alarm that does not use wires to transmit messages; instead it uses radio waves to communicate. This leaves the burglar or the intruder clueless, unable to know which wires to cut to deactivate the alarm.
The two main types of wireless burglar alarms are unmonitored and monitored. If an intruder is detected, unmonitored systems sound a loud alarm that is audible in the home and for a short distance outside. If you live in the countryside, these systems are not ideal, because if you are not at home, neighbors may not be able to hear the alarm, so no one will know about the break in. Monitored services, on the other hand, detect a break-in and then send a signal to security company staff, who determine whether it is a real burglary, and then call the police.
The control panel is the brains of all wireless security systems. It is usually found in the basement or in a closet. The control panel is where all wireless signals are sent from the various motion sensors and magnetic switches placed throughout the home. If a suspicious movement signal or entry is detected, the control panel sounds an alarm, or phones the security company’s monitoring service.
Magnetic contacts are attached to doors and windows. These small, inconspicuous devices consist of two parts: a switch installed inside the window or door jam, and a magnet placed on the door or window. If the distance between the magnet and switch increases, as in the case of forced entry, the control panel will receive a signal and sound the alarm.
Large open spaces such as hallways can be equipped with wireless body sensors or motion detectors. Infrared motion or body heat changes are detected and a signal is sent to the main control panel. The panel gauges whether the movement is a person, and then sounds the alarm or alerts the monitoring station staff.
Each wireless security system includes a keypad, which homeowners use to turn the system on or off. Normally, keypads are installed beside the main entry door, so that it is convenient to arm the alarm when leaving, or to deactivate it when returning home. Some systems also include remote devices, similar to a car alarm, which can operate several features. Homeowners can also switch lights on or off from a distance using the remote controller, to give the illusion that the home is occupied.
Some wireless security systems also have hidden or wall-mounted cameras, which connect to a video unit and recorder, such as a VCR. When movement is detected, the cameras record the scene onto the VCR. For extra fees, the cameras could also be monitored by staff of the security service.
A home security system is a good idea for protection and peace of mind. But for the highest level of security, consider a wireless system as the best choice, because of the enhanced features offered.
Filed under: Home & Garden