Your alarm system has connections for power, the siren, keypads and devices. It also has a panel that controls everything and communicates with an outside alarm monitoring company.
Door and window sensors come in two parts: a magnet and a switch. Opening the door or window separates them and closes the circuit, triggering an alarm.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are an essential safety device that can help save lives in residential fires. Whether battery-operated or hardwired, these devices should be tested regularly and the batteries replaced as needed.
The best spots for smoke detectors are in the ceiling, since the device’s function is to detect the presence of smoke, which rises. However, walls may be acceptable in some cases, such as if the room is very large. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations and local building codes for details on this.
Using a stud finder and electrical box as templates, mark the spots where smoke detectors will be installed in your home’s ceiling or wall. Shut off the power to the existing circuit before making any feed wire connections. Run 3-wire cables (with ground) to each smoke detector location, ensuring that the same fuse or circuit breaker powers all the units in a row.
Heat Detectors
Heat detectors are used to monitor areas where smoke alarms might not be ideal such as kitchens, garages, warehouses or electrical closets where steam and excessive dust could easily trigger false alarms. They are also useful in detecting the slow accumulation of thermal energy that can be present in some types of fires.
There are two main types of heat detectors: fixed temperature sensing and rate of rise temperature detection. Most smart alarm companies offer both to provide a more comprehensive fire protection.
Motion Detectors
A motion detector alerts the monitoring station of any unwanted trespassers, allowing them to dispatch emergency services to your home. They also operate in conjunction with security lights and cameras, triggering them to turn on when motion is detected.
Passive infrared sensors (PIR) work by detecting changes in radiation, which is emitted by, or reflected off of, people. Other motion detectors use ultrasonic technology, microwave technology, or tomographic technology. They can even be dual-technology, which verifies that two different technologies have triggered an alarm before sending the signal.
Make sure to mount your motion sensors away from bright windows, radiators, and heating vents, as sudden changes in temperature or HVAC-related airflow can trigger false alarms. Also, ensure that your motion sensors aren’t blocked by things like stacks of books or pet food dishes.
Door & Window Sensors
Window and door sensors are wired into a home security system and work with your alarm panel to keep you informed if anyone tries to enter. They’re triggered when someone opens a window or door, and you’ll get the notification in different ways depending on your system mode and setup.
They typically come in two pieces, with one that fits onto the door or window and another that attaches to the frame or pane. Heavy adhesive keeps them in place, but you can also screw them into the frame if needed.
If you choose a surface-mounted sensor, make sure the alignment markings on both halves match up to close the circuit. If the marks don’t line up, the switch loop will be broken and you won’t receive your alerts.
Keypads
All alarm systems have a central control panel that connects to all of the sensors in a wired or wireless fashion. This is your interface for the system and it allows you to arm and disarm your alarm system, as well as give 2-way communication with the monitoring station if you have that service.
A keypad is a pad of keys that contains an arrangement of letters, numbers and special characters. You can find them on devices such as calculators, television remotes, push button telephones and security access panels.
Some people choose to install a new touchscreen keypad to their old alarm system. This is called a takeover, and it’s a great way to get all of the latest features without ripping out your old sensors.
