Security/Home Automation Systems Are Indispensable in New Homes And Small Businesses

Well it's been crawling into our national contiousness for years. What's that you say? Most home owners know about security systems for residential homes, but less know about home automation systems and exactly how they might fit into a new or remodeled home. To be honest, any home automation system designed for the residential and small business market that is worth it's salt will have a UL approved security system as part of the program.

Everyone who knows me or has followed my informational advice knows that when I install a security system it is usually one that is robust enough to also provide home automation capability. But this time I want to put out as much information about the security components of a truly modern system as I can.

What is a Security Alarm?

There aren't many people who are not marginally familiar with a burglar alarm system even if they haven't actually been the individual arming and disarming the security system on a day-to-day basis. Most of us realize that a burglar alarm consist of a main electronic controller which is normally mounted in a closet or perhaps in the garage. The system is connected to a telephone line so that it can call out to a monitoring company in case of a burglary or fire. And of course all types of security devices are linked to this security controller which when violated cause the system to go into the ALARM mode.

Emergency Power

One of the questions asked of me most often is, "What happens if the power quits?" The reply is that all alarm systems have a 12Vdc battery to provide back-up power during a power outage for whatever reason. Some people double up on the number of batteries to deliver additional time in case the power is out for awhile. With the power essencial for sirens, color touch screens, powered security devices as well as multiple security keypads, the norm is about thirty minutes of additional operational time before the system goes dead. If however, the reason for the power failure is that a bad guy cut off your house AC, there is ample operational time to call out to the monitoring company.

Keep in mind that power in the range of 56Vac is provided night and day on the telephone line by the telephone company notwithstanding the electrical grid is down. What most people do not realize is that if they have chosen to have their telephone service provided as an option by their local cable company, when the power goes out so does the telephone service.

The Telephone Service

The telephone service, which comes into the house from the outside world, is first interconnected to a device known as a RJ-31X. This device is also where the security controller ties in to acquire its connection to the outside when an incident occationally happens. It allows the telephone line to be seized anytime. The consequence is that if you are self involved in a lengthy conversation with one of your friends or relatives during a time when an alarm happens, you will be cut off right in the middle of your conversation as the RJ-31X will allow the security controller to call out on the telephone line.

Police and Fire Departments

Everybody knows that if an alarm has been armed in the AWAY mode and a burglar breaks in a given home, the alarm system will go into the alarm mode. What many consumers do not know is that if a home owner is wise enough to install monitored smoke detectors, that the system will also call out to the fire department as well. This feature can and certainly has saved lives. Many times people do not wake up during a fire until it is too late as they are rendered unconscious by the noxious smoke generated during the fire. When you have a monitored smoke detector the fire department is notified and will respond to your fire alarm. The next thing one sees is that they are being awakened and rescued by firemen. The same cannot be said about standard smoke sensors mounted by an technician or procured at Lowes.

Security Devices

There are many types of security devices used in a alarm system. The most commonly used device is a magnetic contact installed in windows and doors. They don't require electrical power, however they will signal the main controller when a window or door is opened.

Motion Sensor

The second most notable device is the powered motion detector. There are two cables which provide 12Vdc power to the device and two conductors which are interconnected directly to one of the security zones on the security controller. More recently there are two technologies at work in the motion sensor. The first is called passive infrared, which is another way of saying it will recognize body heat. The second technology is a Doppler shift which means that the detector senses movement in the area it is guarding.

Glass Break Detectors

Another well utilized device is the glass break sensor. It is also wired much the same fashion as the powered motion sensor. This device is mounted near solid glass windows and doors and will go into the alarm mode when it detects glass breaking.

Photoelectric Beams

Even though these powered devices can be used in a multitude of ways they are not used as much as I recommend for two reasons. The first reason is that they are a little bit more costly than other typically used devices. The more likely reason they are not utilized more often is that many alarm installers don't know how to install them. They have to be installed on solid mounting surfaces so that there is no blowing in the wind and they have to be calibrated both visually and electronically.

Get A Handle Of Your Cost

The keys to this technology are capability and cost. The definite best way to control these issues is to install the security system yourself. To install one of these systems you will need to buy an installation eBook on installing a specific system. Believe it or not, it's not all that hard to install the system. You simply need to know exactly what equipment to purchase, what connectors to install, how to mount the equipment, and how to power it up and program the system. If you did not recognize the importance of what I expressed earlier, now is the time to grasp the moment. Once the security devices and the security controllers are installed, the software does the configuration setup for you. That is what I am trying to say. Even though this is spectacular technology, it is really simple to install.

Installing Numerous Systems

It has been my experience that when people are contemplating one system for their new or remodeled home, they are probably considering other systems as well. It would be in your best interest to have installation guides on each system you would like to include in your project. Read them all then buy your components, special tools, and cabling so that they are all on the job site in advance of your proposed start date.

Unfortunately I am limited in this format from explaining further about a security system. However, today I was able to at least acquaint you with the working parts of a security system and lay the ground work for a more in depth educational article about the many ways a security system can be wired to take advantage of the available technologies and therefore render a customized system for each home owner.


------

Sign up for Glenn Bell's FREE Introductory Video on Security System Wireless, Structured Wiring, Cat5 vs CaT6, Video Entry, Wireless Lighting, and House Stereo. Glenn also provides a free eBook about installing Alarm Wiring.