5 tips for choosing a security alarm for home and apartment: types, device

Even with powerful door and reliable locks impossible to be completely sure security of your own home. To increase the level of security of yourself and your property to the maximum, you need a security alarm for a house or apartment. All modern systems operate on a similar principle, but differ in the way information is transmitted, the number and type of sensors, and some other features. In order to understand what is better in each case, it is necessary to understand what types of burglar alarms exist and how they work.

No. 1. The structure and principle of operation of the security alarm

Home burglar alarms differ in the method of transmitting information and the addressee who receives this information. Otherwise, their principle of operation is similar and is based on interaction main elements of the system:

• a set of sensors and sensors of various operating principles;
• control panel;
• executive systems, which include sound and light warning devices, as well as equipment that transmits signals to the security desk or telephone of the owner of the apartment;
• keyboards and other control devices - security system interface. Equipped with buttons, display, fingerprint ID, voice, etc .;
• Power Supply;
• connecting wires that may be absent when using a wireless alarm.

Sensors located in different parts of the apartment respond to unauthorized entry and send a signal to the control panel. He receives them, processes them and transmits the generated signal to signaling and signal transmission devices. Information inside the system can be transmitted via wires or radio channels, and to the security company and the owner of the apartment, it arrives via mobile networks, over the air, city telephone networks or via the Internet.

The most important role in the security alarm system belongs to the sensors - they take the blow first and are required to notice any illegal movement in the apartment. Sensors are divided into two such types:

• security. These are the main sensors that are necessary to fix the entry of uninvited guests into the house;
• detector sensors. They are present, as a rule, in GSM alarms and can warn the owner of water leaks, gas leaks, report a fire, the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide, absence electricity etc.

Security sensors, which are the basis of the alarm, can be of different types:

• magnetic contact sensors are located near windows and doors and react to their opening;
• passive infrared detectors belong to the most popular sensors. They work on the principle of detecting a sharp change in ambient temperature. If an attacker walked into the sensor’s field of action, the latter detects a sharp increase in temperature at a certain point and its same sharp decrease. Such fluctuations cause the detector to trip. Detectors of this type are placed on the ceiling or wall, the angle of action can be different: there are 360 ​​degrees sensors, but there are point sensors;
• ultrasonic sensors They work on the principle of emission of ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 15-75 kHz. They are emitted from the source, reflected from the solid surface of the wall and returned. If there is nobody in the protected area, the wave will return with the same frequency. The human body is able to absorb part of the energy by changing the frequency of the waves, the work is based on the Doppler principle. When the sensor detects that the signal has returned incorrectly, it transmits information about the alarm. To deceive such sensors is easy, therefore they are considered obsolete;
• microwave sensors allow you to detect the presence of an uninvited guest by passing microwaves from the transmitter to the receiver. They can be in the same building, when it comes to an apartment or a house, or in different buildings, when protected territory in front of the house. To reduce false alarms, these sensors often work in tandem with passive infrared sensors;
• photoelectric sensors allow you to recognize the movement of a thief using visible or infrared rays that are emitted by devices on the wall. If an attacker passes through a beam, an alarm will sound. It is not difficult to bypass such sensors, therefore, it is recommended to install them randomly, in a checkerboard pattern, so that a beam fence is obtained;
• seismic sensors used to detect broken glass. They are usually mounted on glass or on a window frame. When the glass breaks, shock frequencies of 3-5 kHz are emitted, which are recorded by the sensor.

By installing several types of sensors in the apartment, confidence is increased that not a single step by the attacker will go unnoticed. When opening doors or windows, violating the integrity of the glass or wall, moving around the apartment to the control point will receive an appropriate signal. Typically, sensors and control panels are manufactured according to the principle of full interchangeability, and this means that, if necessary, the alarm system can be expanded. The type and number of sensors is selected depending on the configuration and size of the apartment. A large number of sensors is not always good, as they can duplicate each other. That is why it is better to contact specialists for the competent organization of the security system at home.

You can configure the alarm so that in addition to notifying the owner and / or security company, the operation of sirens and emergency lighting, the front door was blocked or a smoke generator was activated.

The signal is transmitted from the sensors to the control panel and warning devices wirelessly via radio channels or via wired trunk lines.

No. 2. Wired and wireless burglar alarm for home

Both systems are used equally successfully today, but still wireless confidently win the palm.

Wired systems have the following advantages:

• lower cost of arrangement;
• high signal quality;
• high reliability subject to proper installation.

The main disadvantage of such a system - long and laborious installation, the presence of a large number of cables that can significantly spoil the interior, therefore, it is recommended to equip wired alarms at the repair stage. Moreover, the wires must be mounted as inconspicuously as possible, otherwise there is a big risk that the attacker will violate their integrity and disable the entire alarm system.

Wireless alarm system finds application more and more often in view of such the benefits:

• quick installation;
• lack of wires;
• the ability to move sensors at any time or expand the system with new sensors.

Among the minuses They call the higher cost and the risk that the radio signal can be drowned out, so it is better to expand the system with elements that would prevent jamming of the radio signal.Wireless alarms do not always work stably, and the distance between the security sensors and the control panel should not be too large.

The disadvantages of wireless systems also include the lack of constant monitoring of the communication channel. Since it is not always possible to track the current state and performance of the sensor, you cannot be completely sure that in a dangerous situation a notification will be sent. On the other hand, it cannot be said that wireless alarms are frankly unreliable - they simply can fail under conditions of strong electromagnetic interference.

You also need to be prepared that wireless systems require battery replacement. On the batteries it’s better not to save money, and most detectors have the option of low battery alert.

No. 3. The principle of organizing a burglar alarm

 Depending on who and how receives information on entry into the apartmentAlarm can be divided into:

• autonomous;
• remote control.

Autonomous system - The simplest version of the alarm. When the sensors are triggered, an audible (about 120 dB) or light signal, psychologically affecting the thief and attracting the attention of neighbors, can be sent a message to the owner. There is no signal to the security service, the owner of the apartment takes full responsibility. Among the advantages of such systems are the cheapness and ease of arrangement. Standalone alarm system great for apartment buildings, but not very effective for a private house, especially if it is in a remote area, in addition, it has a high percentage of false positives.

Remote Alarm It provides for the transfer of information about hacking to a remote control in a state or private security structure, but at the same time does not preclude the possibility of using sound signals. Having received a robbery signal, security officers must arrive at the scene in a matter of minutes. Such a system allows us to talk about the most effective protection to date, but it is not cheap, because you will have to pay not only for installation and connection, but also regularly pay a monthly fee to the security company.

Many, from distrust, fear that during their absence at home, security company employees will be able to enter the apartment. One should not be afraid of this for a number of reasons: firstly, the unlock code is known only to family members, and secondly, all unlock situations are recorded in the protocol on the remote control. By the way, the remote alarm also responds when someone cuts the telephone cable, if the system uses this communication channel to transmit information.

In fact, any system can turn GSM alarm by retrofitting with an appropriate module, leaving all existing elements in place. In this context, it is most advantageous to choose a control panel with an existing cellular transmitter.

Number 4. GSM alarm system for home

A security alarm that transmits information to owners and a security company over cellular networks is one of the most modern and optimal options for organizing the protection of your own home. Separate or integrated GSM module in the control unit equipped with SIM card of one of the operatorsby which information is transmitted. It is recommended to use two SIM-cards of different operators to ensure maximum reliability and stability of the system.

In case of penetration into the apartment, information about the incident is transmitted to the owner, security structure and other authorized representatives, moreover data can be broadcast as SMS MMS with photo or call. Along with sending information, sirens and flashing lights may turn on.

A security alarm of this kind may include alarm button. This is a kind of sensor, but it works if a person clicks on it.If you are in the apartment and felt something was wrong, just press the button so that the security officers arrive (when the remote alarm is used).

GSM alarms often expandable with camcorders and microphones to visualize what is happening. Sometimes they include gas leakage and water leakage sensors, but this is no longer a burglar alarm in its purest form. Signaling capabilities due to the use of cellular communication are expanding significantly, but at the same time, the cost of the system, the dependence on the quality of services of the mobile operator, are increasing, and if you want to maximize the quality of the system, you will have to resort to the services of a dispatcher.

If the apartment is used smart home system, then the security alarm can be built on its basis. You can increase the level of security by connecting to a signaling system of a TV or music center, which will periodically turn on and simulate the presence of people in the apartment.

No. 5. Major manufacturers of alarm equipment

It is difficult to argue that the reliability of the home alarm system depends on the quality of execution of each individual element and the interaction between them. There are a lot of proposals on the market for such equipment, there are both foreign and domestic systems, and you can install a standard set or create a security system at your own discretion, equipping it with the necessary number of sensors of a certain type.

When shopping, it’s better to focus on products of large companiesamong which are the following:

• Jablotron - A large international company that grew out of a small Czech company, opened in 1990. It specializes in the production of burglar alarms and the Smart Home system. The company's devices are used in 73 countries, the production is certified according to ISO 9000, ISO 13000 and ISO standards. The company offers a lot of solutions for the protection of an apartment, house and cottage, and the principle is to create complex security systems that would be easy to manage;
• Visonic Ltd. - A world leader in the production of security systems, working since 1973, when the first office was opened in Tel Aviv. The company's products have proven themselves to be highly reliable, stable in operation and innovative solutions. To protect the apartment, several systems have been developed that can be equipped with various sensors;
• Ajax - A company that has been manufacturing security systems since 2011, but has already managed to achieve serious success in this direction. The manufacturer is constantly upgrading its equipment;
• Optex - A Japanese company that has existed for about 30 years and began its journey with innovation. Today, the assortment has many components for ensuring safety inside apartments and on the territory of various facilities;
• Satel - A Polish company that produces equipment well-balanced in terms of reliability and price;
• Sapsan - The largest domestic manufacturer of wireless security GSM alarms. Among the advantages are the cost of equipment and its orientation to use in our conditions;
• Xital - Another worthy domestic manufacturer that specializes in the production of wireless GSM alarm systems.

It is better to entrust the installation of equipment to professionals, but if there is minimal knowledge, then a simple autonomous security system can be installed independently. When choosing a security company that will receive alerts from alarms, pay attention to user reviews, company experience and the number of quick response groups.