Alarm systems are devices that alert their owners—through sound or visual signals—about the occurrence of conditions that constitute a security threat. There are many models, and chief amongst them are the burglar, fire, and emergency systems.
This article mainly deals with burglar alarm systems.
Over the years, it has been consistently demonstrated that these systems actively prevent incursions—either malicious or unintentional—into a residential, commercial or industrial building.
Hence, such systems are now widely used in many business establishments such as retail stores and restaurants as well as in many residential homes, especially in locations where the incidences of burglary are relatively high.
Burglar alarm systems are now widely used in many business establishments such as retail stores, as well as in many residential homes. There are models that can be cheaply purchased for just $10 and easily installed by the homeowner, while there are types that are a lot costlier and can only be set up by security technicians.
A reliable model has become an indispensable part of a comprehensive home security setup. In fact, they are readily obtainable from different retailers and there are inexpensive models that can be easily installed by homeowners. There are also advanced, sophisticated models that incur significant costs and require experienced security technicians to set up.
Basic Mechanism of Burglar alarm systems
In their most basic configuration, these systems use simple switches that control the flow of electricity from one device point to another. Switches, in turn, are remotely connected or directly wired to different sensors that are placed in strategic locations in the premises such as doors, windows, and pathways.
These sensors are used to detect fluctuations in light, sound, or movement that are related to an unauthorized entry in the building premises. Any set light, sound, or movement stimuli will cause the sensors to relay the information to the alarm system, thereby causing it to send off alert signals and perform other pre-programmed security protocols.
Managing System Malfunctions
Alarm switches and sensors should be wired, calibrated, and integrated properly, not only to ensure that an alert is triggered when an unauthorized intrusion actually takes place, but also to avoid sending off alert signals when there is really no reasonable threat. In common language, alert signals that are sent out when there are no security threats are called false alarms. In security sector parlance, this is referred to as “false positive.”
Meanwhile, cases wherein burglar alarm systems do not—or fail to–send off alerting signals when there is an actual threat are referred to as “false negatives.” The occurrence of either is potentially very damaging such that these models for the home should be installed competently.
The potential damage when this fails to send off an alarm when a professional burglar is ready to intrude on a residence could be very high. On the other hand, there are also related costs when such systems set off alarms even when there is no security threat.
If the model is linked to a control centre or a local police department, for example, then resources such as security or police squads may be deployed to the apparent burglary scene instead of to other locations where actual unauthorized intrusions are occurring. This would greatly enhance your security parameters.
Mechanism of Burglar Alarm Systems
Most models use simple switches that interrupt the flow of electrical current from one terminal point to another. This interruption is caused by any unauthorized intrusion into the premises that are secured by the alarm system.
By integrating sensors in doors, windows, walls, and pathways, an alarm system will trigger an alerting signal such as sirens and bright lights whenever a trespassing incident occurs.
Types of Burglar Alarm Systems
There are basically two types of alarm trigger systems: the closed-circuit system and the open-circuit system. In a closed-circuit system, the default electrical state is “closed” when a door or window is shut.
This means that electric current flows freely when portals such as windows and doors are closed. When an unauthorized attempt to open windows or doors occurs, the circuit is broken and electrical current is prevented from flowing freely.
This triggers the alerting signal. On the other hand, the flow of electrical current is restricted in open-circuit systems by default, and only an unauthorized intrusion will allow the current to flow freely, thereby triggering the alerting signal(s).
Traditional models execute these triggers not only to warn the homeowners about the presence of someone intruding in their premises but also to deter the intruder from further trespassing. Some modern versions, on the other hand, use remote communications systems and execute the alerting signal [only] in the security system’s monitoring centers that often include the local police station.