Home security systems protect your belongings and your loved ones, so they are highly beneficial additions to people’s homes. Although they provide homeowners with several benefits, people often resist investing in them. The most common reason for this resistance is the cost. Click Here for The Top Rated Home Security Products.
However, if you do not have a home security system installed in your home, you could lose much more than the cost of the system. On average, burglars run away with $2,185 worth of valuables with each burglary, so the price of a home security system may be worth it after all.
What Is a Home Security System?
A home security system is a device that monitors the inside and outside of your home. One type of system is connected to a home security company’s central control panel, and this gives the company’s employees the ability to observe your home from the headquarters. The simplest system detects the presence of burglars in and around the house, but more advanced options allow you to add carbon monoxide alarms, glass-break detectors and temperature controls.
During the installation process, the technician wires your doors and windows with motion detectors and sensors. Then, the technician places a discreet keypad near your door so that you can easily punch in the pre-determined code before you leave and when you return home. If the doors or the windows open while the system is armed, the central control panel receives a wireless signal. The company’s employees will then notify the police that an unauthorized person entered your home. If you are being monitored for fire, they will call the fire department.
Your other option is to have the control panel installed in your attic. The signal will be sent to the control panel if someone shatters a window or breaks down your door, but the company’s monitors will receive the signal through a landline. At the same time, a screeching alarm will sound to let the intruders know that your home is protected. Then, the monitors will call you and ask whoever answers for the password. They will contact the authorities if they receive the wrong password or if no one answers the phone.
How Does the Alarm Work?
The first thing that the alarm will do is detect that someone has opened the window or the door. One way to do this is with a closed-circuit system. Under this system, electricity only flows when the doors or windows are closed. After someone opens the window, the electricity stops flowing. This triggers the alarm. In an open-circuit system, the electricity flows after someone opens the doors or windows, and this prompts the alarm to sound.
Deactivating an open-circuit system is very simple. The intruder only needs to cut the connecting wires, so your home security system will, most likely, be equipped with a closed-circuit system. Your burglar alarm’s circuits will be connected to a control box, and this is where the alarm will originate from when someone closes or opens the doors or windows. You will need to punch in the code to turn the alarm off.
How Does the System Detect Motion?
Although your home security system will be equipped with an alarm, this is insufficient. As was mentioned above, the alarm system is connected to the doors and the windows, but burglars will not trigger the response if the alarm is not engaged. Therefore, professional home security system technicians also add motion detectors to the inside of the home.
One example of a motion detector is the radar-based motion detector. This type of detector sends a signal across the room. If there isn’t anything obstructing its path, the microwave energy will be reflected back upon the detector. If the reflection pattern does not return unobstructed, the detector will send an alarm signal to the system.
Video Surveillance Options
A home security system can also include video surveillance. The technician strategically installs cameras around your home that will be able to capture images outside as well as inside. If someone tries to break in, you will have footage of this occurrence. This system also makes it possible to check up on your sleeping baby while you are in another room.
It requires very little effort to watch these images. To do this, you will need to connect these systems to your television set and your web-enabled devices, or you can log into the home security company’s website.
Surveillance cameras can either be wired or wireless. Although the wireless solution seems preferable for most people because installation is less complicated, the pictures are not as easy to see. Larger cameras are optimal for outside surveillance because anyone intent on embarking on criminal behavior will know that he or she is being recorded. The smaller ones are great for the inside of the house because you can hide them when needed.
How Much Does Alarm Monitoring Cost?
A typical home security company will charge between $20 and $50 a month to monitor your residence, and this is another reason that people shy away from purchasing a home security system. However, you can have a home security system installed and forgo the monitoring. If someone enters your home, the alarm will still sound, and your neighbors may be able to call the police for you.
Do-It-Yourself Home Security Systems
If the home security system that is installed by professionals and monitored by the company does not appeal to you, you can install a do-it-yourself home security system instead. These systems are very easy to install and use, and they work just as well as the professional type.
The wireless do-it-yourself home security system contains a keypad, control panel and contacts that connect to your doors and windows. Some companies even provide their customers with installation CDs to ensure that the process is as simple as possible.
If you are familiar with the intricacies of electronic devices, you can choose a hardwired do-it-yourself home security system. This requires that you install several wires throughout your home, but people who love to work with tools thoroughly enjoy this process. These kits also come with keypads, control panels and contacts for the doors and windows.
Additional Resources:
https://brinkshome.com/
https://www.adt.com/home-security
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_alarm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_security