Burglar alarm systems are a necessary a part of a house security system, to the purpose where the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Moreover, homeowners who own intruder alarm systems often pay lower home insurance premiums. Read on to learn what burglar alarms exactly are, how they work and the varieties of alarms available.
For more information on the way to keep your private home protected, read our list for the best home security systems.
What’s a burglar alarm system?
A burglar alarm, also often known as a security alarm, is a straightforward electric circuit that’s designed to trigger an alarm within the event of a break-in or an unauthorized entry. In a house security system, alarms are placed in common entry points to the home equivalent to windows and doors that lead outside.
Burglar alarm systems are often controlled through a central control panel with a keypad that may be used to disarm it within the event of a false alarm. With skilled monitoring, alarm signals are sent to a monitoring center, which may then ascertain if the break-in is legitimate and phone the authorities if essential.
How burglar alarms work
Burglar alarms have a circuit that’s activated by a switch, which is triggered at any time when a door or window is opened. Probably the most common sort of burglar alarms are closed-circuit alarms, which work by having continuous electricity run through them; at any time when the switch is flipped, this flow of electricity is interrupted.
The flipped switch then triggers the alarm to go off, often by activating a control box that interprets the signal. This control box has a separate power supply, which adds a layer of protection as an intruder cannot simply disable a component of the alarm to forestall it from going off.
History of burglar alarms
A rudimentary sort of burglar alarm was first suggested in Britain within the 1700s, through which chimes would warn you when a door was opened. The primary electromagnetic alarm that was widely commercialized was patented by Augustus Russell Pope in 1853 and subsequently manufactured by Edwin Holmes, who’s credited with popularizing them.
In 1877, Holmes established the primary network of alarms monitored by a central station. The Holmes Burglar business was bought by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1905, which linked it for the primary time to law enforcement and the hearth department, who can be alerted in case of an emergency. This essentially turned Holmes’ design into the primary modern fire alarm.
Forms of burglar alarm components
Sensors
Burglar alarms get triggered in other ways. Motion sensors —equivalent to people who use infrared light— are sometimes placed within the insides of homes. Other sensors work by detecting loud noises.
Most typical varieties of alarm sensors
- Motion detectors
- Window sensors
- Glass break sensors
- Passive infrared (PIR) sensors
Alert method
Not all sensors produce a loud alarm sound. Some alarms are silent and mechanically alert authorities through a dialer, while others involve flashing lights — which profit individuals with hearing disabilities. The alert method that works best for you goes to rely upon the sort of home you reside in and your particular security needs.
Wired or wireless
Some burglar alarms run on battery packs and hook up with the web to its control box through Wi-Fi. This permits them to be a part of a totally wireless system which has added security advantages. Nevertheless, wireless alarms require regular battery checks, which is why some homes prefer using partially wired connections.