Home security is one of the keystones of home ownership. Home security begins with the security of doors and windows as well as the interior of the home. Home security also includes people’s personal security practices and the protection hardware installed on a home. Home security hardware generally includes deadbolts, home safes, glassbreak detectors, wireless cameras, motion detectors, wireless video monitors, panic buttons, remote access key pads, and other security equipment. These home security devices work together to ensure that a home remains safe and secure.
The home security system is composed of various components. One of the most important components of a home security system is the control panel. This control panel is typically installed in a basement or garage. Home security systems typically provide two types of controls: a keypad and window sensors. The keypad controls the main functions of the home security system such as arming and disarming the system, switching off lights and televisions, and setting up emergency call centers.
Window sensors are used to trigger the alarm if any of the sensors are triggered. Most home security systems provide sensors for each of the windows in the house. With the exception of a few systems, these sensors are installed on the inside perimeter of windows so that they will automatically detect an open window.
Alarm systems generally consist of two types of alarms: audible alarms and silent alarms. An audible alarm is an audible signal that will cause people in the vicinity of the monitored home security system to immediately react and stop the inflow of intruders. Silent alarms do not produce sound but rather turn on lights or buzz air vents to summon help from emergency personnel in case of an intrusion. Home asset protection devices such as cameras are also designed to automatically engage when intruders pass within a certain range of them.
The central control unit (CCU) is the brains of the system, where all the alarm functions are contained. The major components of the CCU include the monitoring unit, the switch or remotely-accessible controller, motion sensors, door and window sensors, lighting sensors, and contact or door phones. The monitoring device is located at the hub and commands all other components, while the switch or remote-accessible controller is placed near the user’s location and commands the installation of all the devices needed to make sure the home security system is properly integrated.
Most modern alarm systems nowadays have smart sensors, which allow them to distinguish between ordinary glass breaking and an intruder entering through a sliding door or window. When an intruder activates the alarm, the sensors will emit an ear-piercing siren to wake the occupants and dispatch police and emergency response teams right away. On top of that, smart sensor technologies allow the sensors to differentiate between glass breaking and movement of someone still inside the house. These devices can also determine whether or not the sound of the alarm has reached outside the house. As long as the devices are placed in strategic locations around the house, the whole alarm system will work smoothly without any major problems.