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Today more than ever there is a greater awareness for home security. As you travel across the country you notice the familiar "protected by" home security sign in lawns everywhere. This lawn signs lets everyone know that the home is equipped with a home security system. Families feel more safe and secure knowing that their homes are protected by a home security system in the event a burglary takes place. The interesting aspect of this is that while most people trust in their home security systems to protect their families and possessions, most have no earthly idea how their home security system actually works. This can actually lead to a false sense of security because many home security systems are inadequately designed or installed and in reality do not provide the security a home owner thinks he is receiving. This article is intended to give a brief description of the components that make up a home security system and it's limitations.
Home Security Control Panel
The home security control panel is the "brain" of the home security system. The control panel is what receives commands from the arming keypad and in turn reacts to those commands. When the control panel receives the proper command from the arming keypad it arms or disarms the home security system accordingly. When an intrusion is detected, the control panel activates a siren for a pre programmed time. These are just a couple of examples of what the control panel does. One of the most critical points to be aware of when having the control panel installed is the actual location where it will be installed. This is a critical point because access to the control panel means that someone could potentially disable the home security system. If the home security control panel is installed in a closet somewhere within the home, there is a less likely chance of it being disabled by an intruder. However, if the home security control panel is placed in plain sight, it will be susceptible for a burglar to enter the home and disable the entire system.
Home Security Arming Keypad
If the home security control panel is the brain of the system, the arming keypad is what sends data to that brain. Home Security arming keypads are generally located near the main entry of the home. The reason for this is because there is a limited amount of time allowed to disarm the home security system. Home security arming keypads come in all shapes and sizes but primarily perform the same functions. Some home security arming keypads today are even available as color, voice touchscreen versions. These home security arming keypads come with all the bells and whistles, but actually perform the same functions that a basic home security arming keypad does. Most all home security arming keypads come with built in keypad panic buttons that notify fire, police and emergency rescue.
Home Security Motion Sensor
After you have established a home security control panel and arming keypad combination, the next step is to add protection devices. One of the most common home security sensors utilized to protect your home is the home security motion sensor. Motion sensors are strategically placed within your home to detect intrusion if someone actually enters the home unauthorized while the home security system is armed. The drawback to utilizing motion sensors in your home security system is that they can only be armed when the home is empty. In other words, the motion sensors are only on when you set the alarm and leave the home and never when your'e at home because you will unintentionally set off the alarm system, yourself. This creates a problem if you are relying on the home security motion sensor as your primary protection. Home security motion sensors are intended to be a secondary protection and never the primary. Motion sensors also come in pet friendly versions. These pet friendly sensors will ignore the motion of a pet while still initiating an alarm condition if a person moves within the protected area.
Home Security Door / Window Sensors
One of the primary sensors that all home security systems use are door and window magnetic contacts. These sensors are actually placed on all doors and windows in your home to prevent an intruder from entering your home by opening a door or window. Home security door and window sensors however,do not initiate an alarm condition of the glass is shattered. This has always been a misconception because most home owners assume that if their is a sensor on every door and window it would appear that the sensor would detect the shattering of glass. Home security door and window sensors are designed to simply activate upon the sensing of an opening of doors and windows. Home security door and window sensors come in wired or wireless versions.
Home Security Glass Break Sensors
Another level of protection comes by the way of what is known as glass break sensors. These home security glass break sensors actually detect the shattering of glass created by and intruder entering your home by breaking a window. This form of protection works when your'e home or out of the house. The home security glass break detector picks up the frequency created when someone shatters glass. Home security glass break sensors have a small microphone incorporated to pick up the actual sound created when the glass is shattered. This sound is processed and will only initiate an alarm condition if the sound generated is that only of shattering glass. Home security glass break sensors need to be located in clear sight of the glass being protected. These sensors do not go thru walls in any way.
If you would like more information on how home security systems work in your particular home, then call us today at 786-325-7867 or 305-233-6044 and speak to one of our home security system specialists today. Or you can visit our website at www.miamifloridahomesecurity.com and enter your information into the contact form.
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