Home security system / Home security gadgets

       Before, home security systems employs wires which are of low-voltage rating and installed inside walls and floors in order to conceal it and avoid unnecessary wear and tear. Now, the trend had changed from wired to wireless security systems. This type of installation has gained popularity that most household owners have contracted security industries for such type of installation for their homes and other infrastructure. According to security industries, 50% of their scheduled installations are accounted for new installations. However, as regard to the installation of hardwired security systems, it is advisable that the same be installed when the house is still being constructed. Hardwired security systems are composed of a main panel, which contains the basic electronics circuitry, transmission, and signaling instruments, and is directly interfaced with the sensors, sirens and remote keypads mounted in strategic area of the house. This all must be installed, preferably, during the time when the house is being constructed because the wires must be installed through the spaces by tools specially designed for this purpose. Sometimes, there is a need to bore holes to put the wires in place. This is specifically the reason why the installation of security systems is more expensive and laborious when done if the house is already built and well furnished.

Home security camera

       Home security camera system is composed of one or more security cameras, security monitors, cables, power source, sensors, materials needed to fasten the cameras to a wall or ceiling, and other necessary instruments. Home security systems are basically sold in packages where all the needed devices are inside, plus the installation by expert technicians. However, there are also some companies who sell security cameras and peripherals separately.

Wireless security home system

       With the development of modern and wireless security home systems, the cumbersome wires along with the troubles of its installation have been eliminated. As for example, a nail hammered through the wires may trigger the alarm or disable the system. In addition to the advantages, wireless security systems are mobile, flexible, and may be repositioned in various area of the room with ease. This type of wireless home security alarm system is employed in driveway, door, car, motion sensor, and security cameras. As regards to the sensors used in wireless systems, they may be infrared, acoustic, or dual technology or combination of both. Some models of wireless sensors are interfaced to the lighting system of the house wherein the lights are turned on and off at random time of the day to create an implication that there are occupants in the house even if they are away or otherwise the house is empty. More and more people prefer to buy wireless home security systems for the benefits and advantages they offer in contrast with wired security home systems.

Security gadgets

1. Motion Sensors – as the term suggests, this senses or detects motion or movement in areas they cover such as rooms and hallway. This is done by transmitting high frequency signals or radio waves into the protected or “watched” room or area. Some systems employ infrared motion sensors to detect body heat. Whenever this type of sensor is breached, an alarm which may be audio, visual, or both, or silent is triggered.

2. Wireless Motion Sensors – are motion detection sensors which may be used for hardwired or wireless security systems. The major advantage of this type of sensor is their flexibility of installation. They may be installed in any area that needs to be watched for movements of intruders. There are also weatherproof sensors that can withstand suns heat as well as rains or snow. In addition, there are also dusk or dawn sensors that allow monitoring of movement in any time of the day.

3. Glass Break Sensors – are sensors that detect the sound of glass breaking or a door or wall being forced open. This type of sensor uses omnidirectional microphone to listen and detect the sound of breaking glass such as windows and kicking or breaking doors or walls. Some models detect the shockwaves of the sound of breaking glass and convert this sound into electrical energy which, in turn, triggers the alarm.

4. Microwave Sensors – are also called Doppler motion detectors. This type of sensors operate at bandwidth of 10MHz utilizing a Doppler radar signal which sends microwave signals and measures the strength of the returning or bounced signal whenever it hits an object. Whenever the microwave signal hits an object which is moving within the sensor's field, the returning frequency of the microwave is different and distinct from that which was transmitted. The main advantage of this type of sensor is that it can be used to cover greater distances and can pass through walls thereby giving the operators the opportunity to strategically conceal the device behind objects.

5. Acoustic Sensors – are also called audio discriminators, which distinguishes and senses sounds typical of a breach in security like the breaking of window glass. It detects the energy of the sound coming from breaking glass. Some acoustic sensors detects the shockwave or sound wave of noise created whenever there is breach in the security of the perimeter of area covered.

6. Ultrasonic Sensors – this type of sensors operate at frequencies around 30kHz. Sounds at 30kHz frequency are inaudible for the human ears, but audible and annoying for animals like dogs. The transmitter sends and bounces signals off the walls and furnitures and upon completion, the alarm is armed.

7. Sound Detection – acoustic or sound sensors detects sound waves in an enclosed and secured area like an empty house. They use supersensitive microphone sensors mounted on walls, ceilings, and floors to listen to any sound which could be the result of break-ins.

8. Infrared Sensors – are sensors utilizing invisible light coming from any heat source. These type of sensor uses the infrared spectrum and compares the heat signature of any body or object moving in a secured area with that of the temperature of the objects inside the room. The main application of these sensors is to detect fires such as overheating of important electrical appliances.

9. Photoelectric Sensors – This type of sensors employs cells which are sensitive to light or photons. They are classified as motion sensors or devices which detect movements When the light source which is directed to the photoelectric cells, is interrupted, as in the case of a person or object blocking the direct path of light, the alarm is activated.

10. Magnetic Sensors – This type of sensors uses electromagnetic system and is oftentimes installed on doors of apartments and buildings and government facilities. The electromagnetic systems are enclosed in doors and when the magnetic contact is breached, the alarm is triggered.

11. Dual Technology – refers to individual units that contain two different types of sensors. They are also popularly known as dual tech. The most popular example of dual tech is the combination of microwave sensor which has the advantage of passing signals through walls and the combination of infrared sensor which is necessary to detect heat, both in one sensor unit.