Security systems

Home security systems fall in to two basic categories, hardwired and wireless. Both hardwired and wireless systems work in the same manner. A contact switch is held in the closed position by a magnet. When the magnet is moved away from the contact the switch opens and triggers an alarm. This basic principle of operation holds true whether the contact is a door or window switch, motion detector or smoke detector.

Hardwired systems are for the most part installed in new construction. An individual wire is run to each sensor, door, window motion detector or smoke detector. These wires are then run back to a master panel. When a contact is opened, as by opening a door or window, the master panel senses the circuit opening and goes into an alarm state. It is far easier to run wires in new construction homes than it is to run wires into an existing structure. Drilling holes into a structure can be messy and there are occasions where wires can not be run to a particular location in the existing home.

Wireless systems do not need wires run to each alarm device. Each alarm device has an individual serial number. These serial numbers are programmed into the panel. A small battery powers each device. When the contact is opened, a radio signal is transmitted to the master panel. When the master panel receives the signal, which includes the device identification code, the panel goes into alarm. With all wireless devices, the batteries should be changed either annually or semi annually.

Wireless motion sensors can be placed in any location in the home. When the system is armed and the sensor detects motion in its field of view, a signal is sent to the master panel and the panel goes into alarm. The ease of mounting wireless motion sensors allow positioning of these sensors where there is no possibility of running wires to them.

Whether a wireless or hardwired home security system is chosen, the knowledge that the family and the home are safe is comforting. When there is a fire in the home regardless if t he family is at home or away, a signal is transmitted to a central station and the fire department can be dispatched. The inclusion of a security system also provides a considerable savings in homeowners insurance. This savings will in the long run pay for the cost of the home security system.