Understand how home alarm systems work to better protect your home

At Home Security Online we believe it’s important for you to understand the basic security devices that make up a home alarm system. By having a basic understanding of what your alarm can do, you can not only save time and money, but also protect your home more effectively against intrusion or theft.

A basic wired or wireless home alarm system consists of the following security devices:

• Control panel (a.k.a alarm system)
• Alarm Keypad
• External and Internal Siren
• Door and Window Reed Switches
• Motion detectors
• Wireless remote controls

Control panel

Where is it situated in my home?
In a discrete place i.e. a cupboard or wardrobe, near a power source.

How does it work?
The control panel is the brains of the system. It’s role is to receives information form the keypad and motion sensors and will initiate an alarm through the internal and external sirens.
– If a phone line is connected it can report the alarm event to a central monitoring station
– Ness alarm systems can also alert you via iPhone or Android device via the Ness iComms mobile app when the Ness IP232 module is connected to the panel.

Alarm Keypad<h/2>

Where is it situated in my home?
Usually situated in the entry of your home

How does it work?
The alarm keypad allows you to arm/disarm the system and can be programmed with different user codes. The alarm keypad also contains a panic button to send the system into alarm instantly if required.
– If the home alarm system is monitored it can notify a central monitoring station, the police, or even the fire brigade

External and Internal Siren

Where is it situated in my home?
An alarm siren is typically located under the eaves at the front of your house (externally), in the kitchen or main living room (internally)

How does it work?
Sounds an alarm on the inside and outside of your home when either the motion sensors or door/window sensors are triggered, a break-in has occurred or a panic button has been pushed

Door and Window Reed Switches

Where is it situated in my home?
Door and window reeds can be situated on a door and door frame, or window and window seal

How does it work?
When your home alarm is armed and the door or window is opened, this transmits a signal to the control panel to sound the alarm

Motion Detectors

Where is it situated in my home?
PIR motion detectors are usually mounted in the corner of a room near a ceiling

How does it work?
A motion detector is a Passive Infrared (PIR) device that detects body heat and in most cases can detect movement throughout a whole room
– Special Pet immune detectors are also available, which allow you to arm your home alarm system with pets inside the house.
– Wireless motion detectors also available and require a radio receiver

Wireless Remote Controls

Where is it situated in my home?
Usually attached to your set of house or car keys

How does it work?
A wireless remote control is programmed into the alarm control panel. This allows you to arm and disarm your alarm system before entering your home or from anywhere inside your house without using the keypad. The wireless remote control also has a panic button to initiate an instant alarm and optional home automation functions for operating your garage door or lights around the home

Understand how home alarm systems work to better protect your home

By having a basic understanding of what your alarm can do, you can not only save time and money, but also protect your home more effectively against intrusion or theft.

Home Security Online