Monday, August 1, 2011

How to Find Out Whether an Alarm System Is Wireless or Not


An obvious way of finding out whether a home security systems is wireless is that there are no wires weaving their way around the house. Due to this, they are very easy to put together and position. The following methods show how you can spot a wireless alarm systems.

Look at where both the receivers and the alarm sensors are located. A wireless alarm system requires to be placed strategically for it to function well. Alarm systems that rely on infrared will always be positioned close to doors or windows where the heat radiating from an intruder will set them off. For the motion-detection types, the home security system will be put on a high place from where it can scan the whole room for any signs of movement.

Another way to find out a wireless alarm system is by locating the receiver or control panel. All the alarm sensors must communicate to the receiver through signals. It is the receiver which turns the sirens on and makes a call to either the owner or the security company. Signals cannot travel over a long distance and hence must be placed close to the receiver.

You need to scrutinize the home security system components for any signs of batteries. Due to the lack of wires in the whole alarm system, each component requires a battery to power it. This battery must be monitored closely to determine when it’s due for a replacement. The good thing with this is that power blackouts do not compromise the safety of your house as the wireless alarm system stays on throughout. The flip side of this is that the batteries cannot be concealed; they are easily observed on the alarm system components.

Finally, the auto dialer will indicate the use of a wireless alarm system. This is the device that places the call to the relevant authorities in case the alarm goes off. be positive at work, knowing that you have alarm systems running.

Home Security Tips for Summertime



People eagerly wait for summertime to come so that they can take a vacation with their families and celebrate. Due to the fact that most homes are vacated during this period, criminals have always used this opportunity to arrive unannounced and make away with valuables. Ensure that your home security system is in good working condition before departure and that the alarm system is working properly. For help in keeping your house safe during this period when you and your family are having fun elsewhere, the following tips should be of use.

Reliable home security system: get a home security system that covers the whole house adequately. A security system that even leaves one window unattended is no good. Although a good alarm system might be costly, you might have to invest this amount to keep your valuables intact.

Proper installation of the home security system: since most of the home security systems are DIY installations, you need to follow the instructions carefully so that the alarm system is set up the right way. A wise idea is to invite a professional over to check whether the whole installation is just the way it is supposed to be. An incorrect installation is as good as no security at all.

Leave without notice: nowadays, one ought to be careful what information he/she is posting to his online buddies especially through social media sites like Facebook. A casual remark like ‘Vegas here we come’ could be a signal for a criminal to come knocking on your doors.

Inform the neighbors: it is always a good idea to let the neighbors know what you are up to. Although you might still have the home security system intact, you need a third eye to watch over your property. With the neighbors informed, they will certainly pay attention to what is going on in your compound should they sense something.

Hope these tips help you to secure your homes before heading for a vacation.

Home Security Alarm Systems



It is a fact that home alarm systems increase the worth of a house and hence lead to potential buyers. A well secured home, either through wireless alarm systems or wired ones, gives the owner and his family a peace of mind since they know they are protected from burglar attacks and unwarranted invaders. The good thing with home security systems is that they can be installed by any person due to their DIY nature. It is however important for one to know the necessary procedure that should be followed in setting up an alarm system. The best home security system depends on a person’s needs and his budget. For those who are hard pressed by economic conditions, a DIY alarm system should be able to serve your needs well.

To determine the best company from which to buy alarm systems, one needs to be sure that they have a detailed list of the procedure to be followed. In addition they should have written policies that govern their operations. Depending on the industry standards for a particular home security system, the company should have fulfilled the regulations that have been set. It should also have fully qualified staffs who are experienced in alarm security systems. These staffs should be willing and able to explain the necessary installation procedures for alarm systems and alarm monitoring protocols.

The wireless alarm systems are very convenient for those who do not want to follow extensive wiring procedures common to wired alarm systems. They are also very suitable to those who are looking for a temporary home security system. The manufacturers of the wireless home security systems have been on the forefront asking people to adopt an innovative and ultra-modern way of security systems. The limitations of the wireless alarm systems are: one must keep checking the batteries, jamming of the system, likely to be intercepted and finally, it comes with various power limitations.

DIY Wireless Hybrid Home Security Systems



Technology has come with many blessings chief among them being the DIY alarm systems that have come up. These wirelessalarm systems are used to warn the inhabitants of a house that a burglar has entered the house. They do this by sounding a siren, flashing lights and some even placing a call to an alarm monitoring company. To have your own hybrid alarm system, you need to do the following.

First, you will have to buy a horn and a wireless alarm system from a trusted security shop. To set it up, you need to open one of the entrances that may be used by a burglar e.g. window. By using the guide that came with the wireless alarm system, screw the alarm sensor plate to the bottom of the window. Repeat the process at the windowsill, this time fixing the sensor receiver underneath the sensor plate. Ensure that the two come in contact when you close the window.

Next, rotate the transmitter so that you look at its back. Open the battery compartment and put some new batteries on it. Make sure that you have closed it properly. Flip it over so that you are looking at its front. Put it on the windowsill together with the sensor and receiver. Tighten it to the wall.

Locate a central place in the house and put the alarm receiver. Plug it into a power source so that it’s on. Sync the transmitter and receiver as indicated on the manual. After this, open the fuse box and unscrew the wall plate from the AC socket. After loosening the wires on the AC module, take the stripped ends and wrap them together. Place these wires on a notch that you have made from a utility knife. Close the AC module.

Finally, cut two pieces of electrical wire, a foot each and strip both ends. Wind them on the siren which is to be fixed on the wall. Wrap the opposite ends of these wires to the alarm receiver and close it. If you have done the above process successfully, you should now be able to enjoy the protection of your hybrid home security system.

Comparison of the Wireless Alarm System to the Wired One



More people are joining the bandwagon of installing home securitysystems to protect their homes from unwarranted intruders. Even business managers have taken this security measure seriously and most have installed the alarm systems on their premises. To be able to make an informed decision on whether to buy wireless alarm systems or the wired security system one needs to look at the advantages and limitations of both methods.

First, we need to know how an alarm system operates. Home security systems use a web of sensors located around the house (in entrances that a burglar may use) to detect whether there is motion in any of them. On a wired alarm system, the alarm sensors transmit this information to a control unit by the use of physical wires. In contrast, wireless alarm systems depend on transceivers to communicate this information.
Another difference is that wired home security systems use separately connected components which are scattered throughout the protected building or premise. On the other hand, wireless alarm systems combine all these components (siren, control panel, and keypad) into one unit. This is a potential security risk in that a burglar can disable the entire home security system if he accesses this unit.

In regard to cost, wired alarm system cost less than their counterparts wireless home security systems. The difference in cost can be attributed in part to the inclusion of a transmitter that wireless alarm systems come with. The cost is also bound to increase due to the battery replacements that must be done from time to time.

Finally, it must be noted that wired alarm systems are ideal on new constructions since they can then be easily woven into the building structure. The process of connecting all the components in the case of wired systems is intricate and requires a professional. The wireless home security systems on the other hand come with a DIY kit which can be understood by anyone and applied.