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There are three main categories under which
almost all security alarm components fall: controls, sensors, and output
devices. Control panels; key pads; contacts. What are these? What do they do?
Understanding the functions of the numerous components of a security
alarm can be daunting. Below is a quick overview to aid you in your
comprehension of the common parts of a security alarm. There are three
main categories under which almost all security alarm components fall:
controls, sensors, and output devices.
Controls:
Control Panel -- the hub of your security alarm. All security alarm
sensors are connected to the control panel. It interprets the signals
received from the sensors, and in turn alerts the security alarm output
devices which either summon aid or sound warnings.
Key Pad -- allows you to interact with your security alarm. It is the
primary way to turn your security alarm on and off; it is also how you
notify your security alarm control panel of personalized upgrades that
you have made, such as additional sensors and output devices.
Sensors:
Contacts -- detect the opening and closing of doors and windows.
Contacts alert your security alarm control panel when the magnetic bond
between the door frame and the door or the window sill and the window is
broken.
Glass Break Detectors -- detect the breaking of windows or glass doors
by listening for the specific sound frequency of breaking glass. A glass
break detector will alert your alarm system if glass is broken within
approximately 35 feet of the detector.
Motion Detectors-detect movement within a pre-set range of a given
environment. Motion detectors are one of the most important and widely
used security alarm sensors.
There are five types of security alarm motion detectors:
Infrared Motion Detectors -- use infrared or passive infrared (PIR)
sensors to alert your alarm system to certain changes in the levels of
heat and/or movement in a particular room or space.
Corner Mounted Motion Detectors -- the most commonly used motion
detector on the market, and are included with the majority of security
alarm systems. Positioned in the corner of a room to offer a wide range
of motion detection.
Ceiling Mounted Motion Detectors -- alert your security alarm to
virtually all movement because they give full-360º coverage. Especially
useful in rooms in which corner mounted detectors would be blocked by
doors, shelves, or other stationary objects.
Pet Immune Motion Detectors -- use PIR technology and only alert your
alarm system when large changes in temperature are detected, not the
smaller changes made by pets.
Outdoor Motion Detectors -- detect when a person or vehicle is within a
certain range of the motion detector and alert your alarm system to turn
on lights.
Output Devices:
Sirens -- emit a loud piercing signal when triggered by the alarm system
control panel. Mainly used to scare off potential burglars or
trespassers.
Strobe Lights -- repeatedly flash on and off when alarm system sensors
detect an intruder
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