Typically, burglar alarm systems identify emergencies such as intruders or environmental problems using a variety of sensors. Common sensor types include door and window contacts, motion-detecting sensors, glass break sensors and smoke detectors. These sensors can be hardwired into a system or communicate wirelessly.

Essential Alarm System Installation Tips for a Secure Home

Sensors usually consist of two parts: a magnet and a switch. When the system is armed and the doors and windows are closed, the switches are in what’s known as a closed circuit. Opening a door or window separates the magnet and switch, causing the device to trigger an alarm. This sends an alert to the control panel, which varies its response according to programming settings.

If the system is armed, a siren may sound and strobe lights may flash to warn intruders that they are under surveillance. The system can also notify a central monitoring station, which will contact authorities on your behalf.

Alarm System Installation is the brains of a burglar alarm system, and all components connect to it via wired or wireless connections. This control pad is often located near the main entrance or at critical checkpoints, and it lets you arm and disarm the system and frequently facilitates two-way communication with your monitoring company.

Depending on the type of system you have, it may feature a duress code that lets you send a silent distress signal to your monitoring company in case you’re forced against your will to disable the system. You’ll enter this code in a keypad or, on modern systems, through an app on your phone, tablet, or laptop.