Security alarm is a system designed to detect intrusion – unauthorized
entry – into a building or other area. Security alarms are used in residential,
commercial, industrial, and military properties for protection against burglary
(theft) or property damage, as well as personal protection against intruders.
Security alarms in residential areas show a correlation with decreased theft.
Car alarms likewise help protect vehicles and their contents.
Some alarm systems serve a single purpose of burglary protection.
Combination systems provide both fire and intrusion protection.
Intrusion
alarm systems may also be combined with closed-circuit television surveillance
(CCTV) systems to automatically record the activities of intruders, and may
interface to access control systems for electrically locked doors.
Systems range
from small, self-contained noisemakers, to complicated, multiarea systems with
computer monitoring and control. It may
even include two-way voice which allows communication between the panel and Monitoring station.
The most basic alarm consists of one or more sensors to detect intruders, and
an alerting device to indicate the intrusion. However, a typical premises
security alarm employs the following components:
-Premises control unit (PCU);
-Alarm Control Panel (ACP), or simply
panel: The "brain" of the system, it reads sensor inputs, tracks arm/disarm
status, and signals intrusions. In modern systems, this is typically one or
more computer circuit boards inside a metal enclosure, along with a power
supply.
-Sensors: Devices which detect intrusions. Sensors may be placed at the
perimeter of the protected area, within it, or both. Sensors can detect
intruders by a variety of methods, such as monitoring doors and windows
for opening, or by monitoring unoccupied interiors for motions, sound,
vibration, or other disturbances.
-Alerting devices: These indicate an alarm condition. Most commonly,
these are bells, sirens, and/or flashing lights.
Alerting devices serve the dual purposes of warning occupants of intrusion,
and potentially scaring off burglars. These
devices may also be used to warn occupants of a fire or smoke condition.
-Keypads: Small devices, typically wall-mounted, which function as the
human-machine interface to the system. In
addition to buttons, keypads typically feature indicator lights, a small
multi-character display, or both.
-Interconnections between components. This may consist of direct wiring
to the control unit, or wireless links with
local power supplies.
In addition to the system itself, security alarms are often coupled with
a monitoring service.
In the event of an alarm, the
premises control unit contacts a central monitoring station.
Operators at the station see the signal and take appropriate
action, such as contacting property owners, notifying police,
or dispatching private security forces. Such signals may be
transmitted via dedicated alarm circuits, telephone lines, or the internet.
As could be seen from all written above, it is absolutely essential
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is the security of Your the Homeowner most valuable possession-
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