Parts of an Alarm System

Alarm Horn/Siren

• The main component of an alarm system is the alarm itself. These come in a range of tones and sounds, each designed to attract attention to your house if it is broken into. You can purchase some very sophisticated alarms that link directly to the local police station, so you get a response from the emergency services as soon as possible.

Broken Glass Detector

• A broken glass detector affixes to the pane of a door or window and detects vibrations and breakages. This will trigger the alarm whenever a criminal attempts to break into your home via this method. Some models will even be able to detect an intruder using a glass cutter.

Panic Button

• Many alarm systems have a panic button, which you press in the event of a break-in to contact immediately the local police force or a security company. This is especially useful for the aged, infirm or disabled, who may be less able to defend themselves against an intruder.

PIR Detector

• A Passive Infra-Red (PIR) detector uses infra-red rays to scan a room in order to detect movement. This means that if an intruder manages to gain access to your home without activating an alarm, a movement device will sense him inside your house and trigger the alarm. Beware: if you have pets, they can inadvertently trigger the sensor and set off your alarm.

Control Panel

• The master control panel is the hub of the alarm system. It is used to set and reset your alarm system through the entering of a code. You can also set the alarm to switch on at a specific time if you wish, although this function may only be available in more expensive alarm systems.