| A burglar alarm system will significantly improve your | | | | prefer to have the siren positioned inside the |
| home security to prevent an intruder attack. In order | | | | property, e.g. in the roof compartment so it cannot |
| to choose the best burglar security alarm system it is | | | | be disabled. Others, who use monitored home |
| helpful to understand how they work and what the | | | | security, prefer not to have a siren at all. So when |
| various basic components are that make up an alarm | | | | the alarm is triggered, the monitoring company will |
| system. | | | | react to the alarm call and send for help on your |
| The basic configuration of an average home security | | | | behalf. There is no doubt however, that a siren has |
| alarm system consists of a control panel, siren and | | | | visual impact and will deter burglars, even before |
| sensors. The control panel will need a permanent | | | | they have entered onto your property. |
| power supply and its job is to monitor the sensors so | | | | The final main components that make up an alarm |
| when the alarm is in "armed" mode, it will make the | | | | systems are the sensors. There are a variety of |
| siren sound if any of the sensors are triggered. | | | | sensors available that all monitor your home in a |
| Depending on the model of alarm, it is often possible | | | | different way. For example, a door switch generally |
| to select sensors to go into several zones. You can | | | | uses a magnetic reed switch to detect if a door has |
| then decide to switch off certain zones from being | | | | been opened whereas a PIR motion detector will use |
| monitored, if desired. Why would you want to turn | | | | infra-red technology to detect movement in a room. |
| off zones? If you are upstairs asleep in bed you may | | | | You would generally have a PIR detector per room |
| want to turn off the upstairs sensors so if anyone | | | | and door switches on each exterior door. There are |
| got up in the night, the alarm would not be triggered. | | | | door and window shock sensors that can detect a |
| The siren is the audible alert that gets switched on | | | | strike to your doors or windows. Many home security |
| by the control panel when a sensor is triggered. A | | | | alarms allow the addition of smoke alarms and carbon |
| siren will need a permanent power supply and should | | | | monoxide detectors. As they are connected to your |
| be installed as high up as possible on your property | | | | alarm, if smoke or deadly carbon monoxide is |
| so it cannot be tampered with. Some people even | | | | detected, your alarm will be triggered too. |