While planning your
wireless home security system there are a few key
points you should keep in mind. Sometimes by placing
the proper sensors in the proper locations, you can
increase your home security, while keeping the overall
cost down.
Wireless security systems use a RF (Radio Frequency)
to communicate between the sensors, and the main
controller. Higher quality systems such as the GE
Simon and GE Concord or the Abbra Professional,
use a digital encryption code, to ensure no one
can duplicate the signal.
Most systems feature a 300&squot; to 600&squot;
range between the sensor, and main control unit.
Wireless
Door / Window Security Sensors
Door & Window sensors are the most common addition
to any security system. These help protect anything
that opens and closes - Which is typically the easiest
access to a home by an intruder. Placing a contact on
all entry doors, and all ground level accessible windows
that open is suggested. Placing on sensors non-ground
level windows is something that should be considered
also, but sometimes not necessary. The best layout will
have to be decided by you.
Wireless
Security - Glass Break Detectors
Glass break detectors work by detecting the sound frequency
that is generated from breaking glass. Some also detect
a change in pressure in the room at the same time, reducing
false alarms. A glass break detector can have up to
a 40 foot range. So, if you have a room with multiple
windows, one sensor should protect them all.
Wireless
Security - Smoke Detectors
You should always use these in conjunction with your
state code required smoke detectors. Adding a smoke
detector to your security system is a good idea, to
quickly dispatch the fire department so you can escape
as soon as possible. If there is a fire, you can exit
and not worry about having to call the fire department
because your monitoring company will take care of it.
If you are away from home, you will have the same feeling
of security, because the home is monitored for fire
24/7.
Wireless
Home Security - Motion Detectors
Motion detectors are the 2nd most popular sensor addition
to any home security system. A PIR (Passive Infrared)
motion detector, senses the movement of heat across
a room. Most PIR motion detectors have a 25&squot;
to 45&squot; range at a 90&squot; angle.
If
you can imagine a baseball diamond where the motion
detector is home plate, this is typically the viewing
pattern of a PIR motion detector. The best placement
for a motion detector, is in the corner of a room, this
way the 90&squot; angle will view directly down
both walls, and out the 25&squot; to 45&squot;
distance.
Most
home security systems have two arming modes - "Home"
and "Away". The "Home" arming will
arm everything except for interior motion detectors.
This will allow you to roam around your home, and not
set off the system. However if you arm it for away -
it will then arm all sensors.
Avoid
pointing any motion detectors towards your main entrances,
and directly toward any windows.
Wireless
Pet-Immune Motion Sensors
A Wireless Pet-immune motion detector operates the same
as any standard motion detector, however they ignore
objects that are shorter than a specific height. So,
a motion detector may be rated at 80Lbs, however this
actually means it will ignore anything that is shorter
than 3&squot; tall.
If
you have pets that are in the home while you are away,
you should be aware that if they crawl on furniture,
it may cause a false alarm. You should position your
motion detectors accordingly. Also avoid placing motion
detectors pointing towards stairs.
Wireless
Personal Panic Buttons
Personal Panic buttons can be added to any wireless
home security system (typically wireless) to be pressed
at the time of emergency. Popular uses are for elderly,
or as holdup buttons in convenience stores. These can
be placed under a counter, or worn as a pendant.
Extra Keypads
Most
wireless home security systems can support multiple
keypads. Adding a keypad can be beneficial if you need
multiple points to arm/disarm and view system status.
BroadBand or Phone line Monitoring
NextAlarm
is currently the only monitoring station that can monitor
your Home security system through a broadband connection.
This is beneficial to people who wish to have a fully
monitored alarm system, but use a cell phone only for
phone service, have broadband internet, and don&squot;t
wish to purchase a land line phone just for the security
system.
If
you have a land line phone, and are planning to keep
it, then phone line monitoring will work fine too.
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