Installing a home security system can be carried out by most do-it-yourself enthusiasts. There is primarily a choice of two types of security system: hard wired and wireless. Hard wired system involves three times as much work and a lot more expense as cabling needs to be purchased, walls need channelling etc.... A hard wired installation should only really be attempted by someone with electrical wiring experience.
On the other hand, the installation of a wireless alarm system is so straightforward, the average DIY’er should be able to complete it. The advancement in wireless technology has meant that a reliable system can be now purchased for very little cost, packed with features and functionality.
So how do you install a wireless home alarm system? The first stage is planning and this must be done with pencil and paper. Sketch out a brief floor plan layout of your property and mark on where you would like protection in your home. These will be the final location of the wireless sensors whose job it is to detect the presence of the intruder. Decide where the main control box is best placed. Ideally you will want this close to your main exit/entry door so you can arm/disarm the unit. However, most wireless alarm systems are provided with wireless key fobs so the control unit could be installed in a cupboard, out of sight as you will not need direct access to the control panel keypad. The control panel will need a power supply so locate it close to a power point. If you are having monitored security then a cable will need to be run to your phone line socket.
Next, consider the installation of the siren/bell box and be sure to fix it high enough that a burglar could not tamper with it. You could decide not to have a siren at all, if you have monitored security. With this configuration, in the event of a burglary the monitoring company would be silently called and send help on its way to hopefully catch the burglars in the act.
You will need to install wireless sensors to your external doors and windows next. Usually a magnetic sensor is used. When the door or window is closed the circuit is made but on opening the door or window the circuit will be broken thus triggering the alarm. For the door which is the main entry/exit, you will want to program the system with a time delay to allow getting in and out of the property when arming and disarming.
Finally refer to your floor plan layout again to decide where the internal sensors will be situated. You will want to detect human movement and the most common type of wireless sensor to achieve this is the PIR movement detector. These are simply screwed to the wall at your planned location and introduced as a new sensor to the alarm system, so that the control panel can accept a signal from the device.
There are additional sensors that can be added if desired such as smoke alarm detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. These are thoroughly recommended purely for your own safety – they could save your families life.
The beauty of a wireless system is that it can be added to at a later date with very little expense and time. Whereas a hard wired system would require channelling of walls, lifting of floorboards and skirtings, a wireless system can be expanded within minutes, simply by screwing the sensor to the wall and adding it into the control panel.
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