Monday, April 20, 2009

Alarm System – What You Should Know

They are many alarm systems on the market today and the choice is vast. Deciding which system is most suitable for your requirements is difficult so it is helpful to understand the simple differences between the main types of alarm system currently available. There are three main types of burglar alarm system and these are hardwired, wireless and self-contained.

Hardwired alarm systems are often referred to as the more traditional type of security system. These systems usually consist of a main control panel, bell box or siren and a number of sensor devices which detect an intrusion. Essentially all components are wired together using multi-core cable. The cabling provides power to the device and detection of the device being triggered into an alarm condition as well as the identifying of tampering of the sensor device. One advantage of this system is that it is considered more permanent than a wireless system and sometimes more reliable and not so susceptible to false alarms. One disadvantage is that it is recommended having the system installed by a professional alarm installer and this will come at an additional cost – both for labor and materials. If you decide to add more sensors to you system at a later date then you will need to call the installer back in again. There will be a lot of disruption when installing a hard wired system such as lifting floorboards/skirting and channelling walls etc…

On the other hand a wireless alarm system is very straightforward to install. In fact most DIY’ers can undertake the installation thus saving a considerable amount of cash. Virtually no additional materials are involved so if you are not looking to spend a fortune on a home security system then a wireless system is for you. These days they are so much more reliable than they once were and false alerts are a thing of the past. They are fantastic for rented accommodation too as they can be easily removed when you leave your rented property. Adding an additional sensor or two at a later time is a breeze and there is no need to employ a tradesman to do this. Be sure to purchase a system that allows suitable future expandability. You can start out with just a couple of sensors and grow your system as finances dictate. The only slight disadvantage is that you will have a change all of the batteries in the wireless sensors on a regular basis but it’s a small price to pay for the flexibility and versatility of a wireless alarm system.

A self-contained alarm system is a single unit often shaped like an everyday object such as a VCR or PIR motion detector. These devices are limited in features and functionality but offer great flexibility if portability is a requirement such as a short term stay in a property or even your garden shed, where there is no power available. Most self-contained alarm systems are powered by batteries so are great for outdoor use or vehicles such as motor homes or caravans.


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