Burglar alarms are designed to keep your home protected against intruders.
They are a visual deterrent to a potential burglar and, should the alarm get triggered by an intruder, a very loud siren is activated to warn neighbours and passers-by that a break in to the property has occurred.
Burglar alarms usually consist of 4 main components: Siren box: This is located on the outside wall of a property usually near the roofline.
Control panel: This is what controls the alarm.
It usually has a set of numbers like you would find on a telephone on the face of it.
You can programme a secret code (usually four numbers) into the alarm which you use to arm and disarm the alarm system.
This is usually located somewhere near the entrance of the property.
Some control panels will even ring your mobile to alert you should the alarm get triggered! PIR sensor: A PIR (Passive Infra Red) sensor detects motion.
When the alarm is "off" these sensors are inactive.
When the alarm is "on" they are active and will trigger the alarm to siren if motion is detected.
Door/window sensors: These sensors activate when a connection is broken.
If a window or door which has one of these fitted to it is opened when the alarm is "on" it will trigger the alarm to siren.
Depending on what alarm system you choose it is possible to add extra components to it such as remote controls, additional keypads and smoke detectors for full protection of your property.
Most burglar alarms can be set into zones.
This is designed so you can arm the whole house or part of the house (this feature is great for arming the lower floor at night whilst you are asleep upstairs).
It is also possible to set a zone which allows you enough time to enter the home and disarm the alarm by inputting your secret code into the control panel.
There are two types of alarm system, hard-wired and wireless.
A hard wired alarm is a system where all the components are connected by lengths of cable.
The wires can be unsightly if they are not hidden in the walls.
Obviously hiding the cables within the walls will require a certain amount of redecoration.
Hard-wired systems usually need to be fitted by professional installers due to connecting the alarm to a mains power source.
Wireless burglar alarms are just that.
Wireless.
They use batteries instead of a mains power supply.
This means the alarm can be installed by anybody who can use a screwdriver saving the owner a load of cash in installation fees.
They do not leave any unsightly cables running through your property and will not damage your decor.
Plus as an added bonus you can often add extra sensors and components after your alarm has been fitted which is great if you have a new extension or conservatory fitted or fancy adding smoke detection to your alarm system in the future.