Motion Sensors
If you’re considering any sort of home alarm system, an integral part of it will be motion sensors. There are a variety of these on the market, and it’s worth considering which one is best for you.
Probably the most common occurrence, although one you might not think of initially, is the security light. You know the sort – the one you have in your driveway that’s supposed to warn you if someone’s stealing your car, but also lights up when the neighbor's cat drops by. Most of these lights are used for security, or safety when you are around. If you haven’t already got one and are considering a purchase, think about the potential location of the light. Are there any overhanging branches from nearby tress that will set them off at the smallest puff of wind? Can you easily set the range (you don’t want it set too close, so that you have to be under it in order for the light to go off, nor too far away so that a car passing the end of your driveway sets it off either).
Other motion detector are more directly connected to the main security system in the house or business, and may form part of CCTV units or door / window alarms. If somebody walks in front of a camera, or attempts to break in via a window or door, they detect it, set the cameras recording and trigger the alarm.
There are different kinds of motion detectors on the market, and you need to choose the one that’s best for you. Here’s a rundown –
Infrared – as you would expect, this detects movement at night or even total darkness. They are very reliable and, because they operate from the amount of heat given off by the object they detect, can be set to only go off only if they have identified a human. So no worrying about next door’s cat setting these off.
Vibration – as the name suggests, it is triggered by vibrations of someone walking past etc. Their primary use is within cars to stop the drivers bumping into the car in front.
Photoelectric – this fires a laser beam across the area, which causes the alarm to be activated when the beam is broken
Acoustic – at the slightest noise, the alarm goes off. Perhaps that squeaky door has a use after all.
You can attach these to your security system so that they activate an alarm, light or camera when activated. A great help in giving your property the maximum possible protection.