Residential security systems

Components of a security system (and how they work)

Introduction
The following is information regarding the various parts that go together to make up a complete security system. Alpha is supplying you with this information so you can make an informed decision when you purchase a security system. You will find that this information if unbiased since Alpha sells and installs practically every type of security technology so we don’t have an “axe to grind” for one product or another. The information supplied is not specific to the various manufacturers since the basic function of the components are similar from one manufacturer to another.

Control Panel
This is the heart of your security system. Typically it is circuit board along with a backup battery contained in a metal box approx. 16 inches square by 3 inches deep. It is usually located in an out of the way place like a furnace room, closet, crawl space etc. All of the sensors around you premise are connected to the control panel whether it is done with wires or it is done wirelessly. Also connected to the control panel are your keypads, sirens and telephone line.

The control panel takes the information supplied by the various devices and takes the appropriate action. For example, if it is in an armed state and a window is opened, it would sound the siren and send a signal through to the monitoring station. Another example would be if a smoke detector is triggered it would automatically call the monitoring station and indicate a fire at the premise so the fire department can be dispatched (even if no one is at home or worse, if no one is capable of getting to a phone)

ECO Furnace Control Package
The ECO Furnace Control Package has two components. A thermostat and a relay control module. This module switches between the normal house thermostat and the supplied thermostat which is set for a lower temperature (set by homeowner). When the security system is armed (ie the home owner is going out) the system automatically switches to the low temp thermostat. When the home owner comes home, the security system automatically switches the system back to the normal (hi temp) thermostat. This package will save the home owner money on energy while at the same time helping the environment.

Door/Window Sensor
Door/Window Sensor consist of two parts, the senor and a magnet. The sensor is mounted in the frame of the door or window and the magnet is mounted in the moving part of the door or window. When the door or window is closed the magnet and sensor are close together. When the window or door is opened, they are pulled apart. The sensor detects the absence of the magnetic field and sends a signal to the control panel.

Motion Sensor
Motion Sensors are small devices measuring approx. 3 inches square by 2 inches deep. They are typically mounted in the corner of a room or hallway approx. 7 feet from the floor. There a various methods that are used to detect motion. The most common two are Passive Infrared and a combination Infrared/Microwave. Infrared motion detectors work by detecting a change in the heat signature of a room while the microwave detector works by sending out microwaves and if there is movement in the room, the returning signal will be at a different frequency thus triggering an alarm. Some companies will try to sell combination detectors (Infrared/Microwave). The problem is that while you are less likely to have a false alarm, you are sacrificing sensitivity. Combination detectors are excellent tools for harsh environments but for a residence, a good quality Infrared detector is what the majority of security companies will recommend.

In the past few years, infrared technology has improved to the point that even standard motion detectors can be placed in an area where there are small animals (under 30lbs) as long as the animal cannot get within 6 feet of the detector.

Smoke Detector
There are two different kinds of smoke detectors, ionization and photoelectric. Up until recently, most smoke detectors installed in homes were ionization type. They detect smoke when ionized smoke particles enter the sensing chamber and change the stream of radioactive particles in the chamber. These detectors are sensitive but care must be taken in locating them. For example, this type of smoke detector installed on the ceiling outside a bathroom will have false alarms from the steam created when someone has a shower.

A photoelectric smoke detector is triggered when smoke particles interfere with a photobeam inside the smoke detector. These detectors seem to be less prone to false alarms although care is still required in locating them.

With both types of detectors the most common cause of false alarm is a buildup of dust in the sensing chamber. This can be buildup over years or can occur in one day if the detectors are not covered during a renovation.

The critical advantage of smoke detectors installed by security companies is that they call for help even if there is no one home. Even though smoke detectors are installed in most homes, if they are not connected to the security system no one will be called. This feature is of particular interest to people with pets. Note that most insurance companies give additional discounts to clients with monitored smoke detectors.

Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide detectors detect the presence of deadly carbon monoxide gas that is created whenever a flame (furnace, hot water tank, gas fire place, gas stove) does not get enough oxygen from the area around it to burn properly. This gas is odorless and can only be detected by a CO Detector. The advantage with detectors installed by security companies as with smoke detectors is that once the detector is triggered a signal is sent to the monitoring station and they will dispatch the fire department. Consider that the occupants of the house may already be overcome and unable to call for help. The security system takes care of this for you.

Siren
The siren is triggered by the control panel when an alarm condition occurs. ie A window is opened while the system is armed . Houses that are monitored typically have a smaller siren inside the house to scare away the intruder. Houses that are not monitored will have a siren inside and a large siren mounted in the soffat or near a vent so the noise gets outside.

Keypad
The keypad is the interface between the user and the control panel. It is typically mounted near the door uses for entry and exit as well as on another floor for convenience. There are various styles of keypads with different features but they generally break down into three types. LED, Fixed LCD and Full Alpha numeric. LED Keypads have a keyboard (like a telephone) and a panel of numbered lights. Each light represents a sensor or group of sensors (called a zone). When a sensor relating to a light is opened, the light turns on and the user cross references the light number to a written list on the door of the keypad. A fixed LCD keypad is the same as the LED keypad but instead of a light turning on, a number is displayed on the LCD screen. The full alpha numeric keypad is the most user friendly since it actually displays the description of what is open without cross referencing to a list.

Battery
All security systems have back up batteries. These batteries are rechargeable so that in the event of a power failure, the security system continues to operate using the battery for power. When the house power comes back on, the battery is recharged. These batteries typically last two to three years although they have been known to last much longer.

Cellular Communicator
A Cellular Communicator is a device which provides that Control Panel an alternate path to communicate to the monitoring station if a telephone line is not available. When cellular communicators first came out, they were primarily used to back up the phone line in the event that the phone line was cut deliberately or something else caused the phone line to go dead. As the name implies, cellular communicators use cellular networks to provide the control panel with a communication path to the monitoring station. In the last few years, more and more homeowners are opting to not have a regular phone line connected to their house. The Cellular Communicator provides the ability to still have the security system monitored.

Two Way Voice Module
A Two Way Voice module is a small box mounted near the keypad or is actually built into the control panel. In the event of an alarm, it allows the monitoring station to open an audio path through to the house to communicate with the residents. If no one responds to the monitoring station operator or they hear sounds of a breakin, the police and or property references are called.

Water Sensor
A Water Sensor is a device that is installed in areas of a house that may be subject to water leaks or flooding. A common place to have them installed is near a hot water tank or near a washing machine. For example, a lot of newer home have the laundry room conveniently located on the top floor. If one of the hoses for the washing machine bursts, and no one is home, water will flow through the entire house causing significant damage. With a water sensor installed, the water would be detected when the leak first occurred and a property reference would be called to fix the problem before significant damage occurred.

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We also service Squamish, Whistler and Merrit.

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