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Burglar Alarms - A Homeowner's Guide

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By Jcasebmw


Within about the last 10 years or so, the home security sector has experience some great leaps in innovation. In order to understand home burglar alarms better, you should start your examination at the most fundamental level. In simple terms, a burglar alarm is just an electric circuit that is built into the entry of a home or office building. The said circuit acts as a holder of electricity, thus allowing a straight pathway between 2 points (of opposite charge) where the electrical current can flow.

If you were to open a section of a circuit, this would change the path and disrupt the electric flow. Alternatively, if you were to open a circuit, you are actually allowing the electricity to flow freely. For example, in a closed-circuit burglar alarm system, the circuit is closed while the points of entry remain closed. When you turn on your alarm you are actually starting a new stream of electricity that can flow through the closed circuit. When a door is opened, the circuit is broken, the electrical current stops, and the alarm is triggered.

An alternative to guarding each individual window and door in your home would be to use motion and heat detectors for added protection. The specific type of sensor that needs to be installed is dependent on the environmental change that will trigger the alarm. Some sensors are triggered when then notice that someone has broken a beam of light, others are able to sense disturbances by looking at radar reflection patterns or a sudden spike in temperature that looks like body heat. However, like anything else, these sensors also have their cons (ie. false alarms).

Burglar Alarm Upgrades



Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System
Price: $136.98
List Price: $176.12
Doberman SE-0102 Burglar Window Alarm.  Silver/Black Doberman SE-0102 Burglar Window Alarm. Silver/Black
Price: $9.93
List Price: $14.99
Burglar Alarm Burglar Alarm
Price: $11.99
List Price: $11.99
GE 51107 Smart Home Wireless Alarm System Kit GE 51107 Smart Home Wireless Alarm System Kit
Price: $22.89
List Price: $29.99

This information is only intended to explain the logic behind a tradition alarms system, at its most basic level. There are a plethora of hi-tech upgrades that one may choose to use. For this reason, it is best to research a specific area once you have a better idea of what kind of system you are interested in. For instance, companies can now build the electric circuits right into your window glass using foil wire. Your alarm would then sound as soon as the glass is broken. Also, some burglar alarm systems can control lights in your home so that they come on and off randomly. This feature can trick criminals into thinking you are home.

Another thing to consider is the wireless trend that will inevitably become mainstream as time goes on. Wireless burglar alarms have the advantage of being more cost effective because of their easy installation. You can also take your burglar alarm system with you when you move to a new home, this alone is enough for some home owners to opt for a wireless solution. Wireless systems may one day eliminate the need for old fashioned hard-wired systems completely.

Burglar Alarms in the News

  • Five alarms: Market burglar suspect kept on trippingThe Trentonian4 days ago

    LAWRENCE — Daniel Garrison, charged Monday with breaking into the Trenton Farmers Market on Friday night, tripped silent alarms no fewer than five times before he was caught by Lawrence police, the market manager said yesterday.

  • Warning as salesmen resort to scare tacticsThe Scotsman1 second ago

    POLICE today warned residents to be on their guard against unscrupulous security firms trying to "frighten" people into buying burglar alarm systems.

  • Flood damage 'costs more than fire or burglary'Daily Telegraph1 second ago

    The cost of a household being flooded is far higher than the losses incurred by burglary or fire the Environment Agency warned today.

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Ms._Info profile image

Ms._Info  says:
2 months ago

We recently had a burglar alarm installed. Not sure I love it, but we felt it was necessary.

Burglar Security  says:
2 months ago

Great intro to burglar alarm systems.

You say "wireless trend that will inevitably become mainstream" and this is definitely happening, they're getting smaller and cheaper and more effective so that people are even buying wireless systems to take with them on vacation!

They're also really useful for when you rent a property and your landlord won't allow you to drill the holes needed for a traditional burglar alarm system.

For this reason it also makes a great solution for dorm rooms.

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