Home Security System Components

If you are planning on installing a home alarm, either yourself or professionally. Arm yourself with the knowledge of the components that make up a complete home security system.
A home security system is made up of four separate groups.

Alarm System Control "The Brain"
Alarm System Keypad "The Heart"
Alarm System Detection Device "The Eyes and Ears" (motion detector, glassbreak detector, door/window contacts, smoke detection)
Alarm System Siren "The attention getter"

When you place these four groups together as a single component thereby forming a complete home security system. We highly suggest you enhance it by having your home security system monitored.

What Is...

The Control or Control panel?
The Keypad?
is an LED or LCD Keypad?
A Motion Detector or PIR?
A Glassbreak Detector?
A Door or Window Contact?
A Smoke-Heat detector
Monitoring?

The "Control" or "Control panel"

The control panel is the "Brain" of your home alarm system.

As the name "control" implies this is where all the information for your alarm system and it's operations are stored. This is usually installed in an area that is out of the way and, figuratively speaking, "hidden".

As the homeowner you will typically have little or no need to access the alarm system control.

Your alarm technician will need to access this if you should require service on your home alarm system or for scheduled maintenance.

There are typically 3 types of home alarm control panels.

Hardwired

This type of control requires all keypads and detection devices be wired directly to the panel.
(Usually found in older homes before the advent of Hybrid Systems. Rarely used, now, if at all.)

Advantages;: Low cost and almost no owner required maintenance.

Disadvantage;: In a finished home you are limited to your security options.

Self contained wireless

Requires a minimum of two wires to be operational (power and phone) all detection devices send signals via radio frequency.

Advantages;: Ease of installation, very little wiring.; Devices can usually be relocated to fit into home redecoration and remodeling.

Disadvantages;: Higher up front cost.; Requires regular maintenance for battery replacement in devices.; Vulnerable to damage by being out in the open.

Hybrid

The best of both, with this type of control you can have a combination of hardwired and wireless detection devices.

Advantages;: Lower cost.; Extremely versatile

Disadvantages;: Requires some owner maintenance when wireless devices are used.

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The keypad

The keypad is the "heart" of your home alarm system.

This is where you will interact with your home alarm security system; check system status, turn the alarm system on(arm) and off(disarm) and program user codes.
The keypad also gives you the status of the alarm system at a glance using LED's and/or an LCD display.

There are typically three LED lights on the keypad,

Green – System OK ready to arm.
Red – Alarm System is armed.
Yellow – Indicates there is a trouble condition or problem with the control or device.

In addition to the above LED's some alarm systems use either red or yellow LED's to show an open zone.

You will need at least one keypad to operate your home alarm system. If installing only one keypad make sure that it is installed relatively close to the door you use most often for entering and exiting your home (Front door, house to garage door).

A keypad installed in the master bedroom is beneficial allowing you to arm or disarm your home alarm security system without the need of walking through the house when getting ready for bed. You can also tell what is going on if your alarm should go off in the middle of the night.

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LED or LCD Keypad

LED-
(Light Emitting Diode)

LCD-
(Liquid Crystal Display)

LED Keypad-
Uses led's to indicate open zones and system status

Fixed-Message LCD Keypad-
"Zone 1 open"
"System Armed"

Alphanumeric-
(Can be programmed with custom readouts)
"Front Door Open"
"Sara's window open"
"System Armed to Away"

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Motion Detector or PIR

Motion detectors work on "Passive Infrared" detection (PIR). They mount on a wall, the corner of a room or on the ceiling. It senses the infrared temperature of several spots in the area of coverage. By stabilizing itself to the normal infrared temperature of a room, it is ready to trigger your home security system when a sudden change takes place.

There are normally three layers of sensor coverage. Long-range, mid-range, and short-range.

motion detector pattern front view

When a person walks into an area covered by a PIR this creates a sudden change in the infrared temperature thus triggering the home security system.

PIR motion detectors have a microchip temperature sensor that will adjust the device for gradual room temperature changes as the heater or air conditioner is cycling through it's normal operation.

Motion detectors are available in several styles and sizes. There are motion detectors designed for people who have a family pet that roams the house. There are motion detectors that utilize dual technology such as PIR with Microwave. With dual technology motion detectors both technologies must see sudden change to create an alarm condition. These types of motion detectors are typically used for harsher environments such as a garage, warehouse or storage building.

Microwave senses the disturbance of the microwave signal.
This type is not recommended when an occupant uses a pacemaker.
Keep in mind that a microwave signal will penetrate through walls and windows.

A properly positioned motion detector can cover an entire room and penetrate through an open doorway.

Motion detectors should not be positioned looking at windows or sources of heat such as fireplaces. They should also not be mounted near heat and air return or fresh air vents.

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Glassbreak Detectors

Glassbreak detectors are considered a perimeter device even though they are installed on interior walls or the ceiling. They listen for the unique frequencies of breaking glass. When a burglar smashes a window, within range of the glassbreak detector, the detector hears this and will trigger your home alarm system before the burglar has a chance to enter the house.

There are several different styles of glassbreak detectors.

Shock sensors, mount directly to the glass and feel for the vibration caused by the force or blow against the window.

Dual, listens for the unique frequency of breaking glass and feels for the vibration caused by the force or sudden blow against the window.

Standard, (most popular), listens for the high, mid and low frequencies of breaking glass.

No matter what type of detector is installed the requirements for triggering the detector must happen within a few milliseconds.

Keep in mind that glassbreak detectors do not listen through walls or around corners. You will need to install one in each room that you feel may be vulnerable to entry through a window.

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Door and window contacts

Door and window contacts are typically magnetic sensitive switches that will either open or close when a magnetic field is placed near them.

They can be recessed into the frame of the door or window becoming concealed, or surface mounted to the side of the door or window.

Contacts should be installed on all your perimeter doors.

Contacting all your windows can get expensive. If you keep your windows locked a burglar will need to break the window to gain access. Spending your money on glassbreak detectors can be extremely beneficial for this reason.

Window contacts can be beneficial;

When leaving your home you can tell if a window is open without the need of walking the entire house.

Surface mounted contacts can have a second magnet installed allowing you to have the window partially open for ventilation and still be protected.

Teenagers do not like this one, stops them from opening the window to go out or let friends in.

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Smoke-Heat Detector

A Smoke-Heat detector is a smoke detector with a built in heat detector.

Heat detectors are beneficial for sensing rapidly rising room temperature or a clean burning fire (fire without smoke).

Heat Detectors only should be used in areas such as the garage, storage room or furnace room.

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24 hour monitoring

Monitoring places a 24/7/365 watch on your home. If a burglar attempts to break-in while you are out, the alarm system will notify a central monitoring station who in turn will notify the police department.

If a fire should occur while you are gone or asleep the monitoring station will notify the fire department. (requires at least one smoke detector)

If an emergency situation should occur your security system can notify the monitoring station, who in turn will notify the ambulance service or you can specify what form of notifications you desire. This feature is extremely beneficial for medical emergencies.

When you have your Home Alarm System monitored you can rest easy knowing that if something were to happen the proper authorities would be notified.

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Learn the Components of a Home Security System