Burglar alarms are a specific type of home security system which are designed to alert you when someone enters your home without your consent. Though all burglar alarms perform the same function, each does so using a different method, which means that each type of burglar alarm has a unique set of features associated with it. Understanding the differences between the different types of burglar alarms can help you choose the one that best fits your home's security needs.
Passive Infrared Motion Detector
Passive infrared motion detector burglar alarms (or PIR alarms, for brevity's sake) make use of a single or a series of infrared beams that will trip the alarm if the beam is broken. They are low maintenance systems, and tend to be highly effective as the infrared beam is invisible to the naked eye. Once tripped, the burglar alarm will go off, though many units can be set with a time delay which allows you to enter your home and disarm the alarm before it makes any noise.
Magnetic Switch Sensors
Magnetic switch sensors are a specific type of burglar alarms that are installed in doors. They make use of a magnetic sensor that creates an electrical current with a magnet installed within the door itself. When the door is forced open and the current is broken, the alarm will be tripped and go off. Usually, these types of burglar alarms have an anti-locking mechanism installed within them that prevents the door from being closed after it's already been forced open. If you open the door properly, the alarm will not go off. The main downside of magnetic switch sensors is that they can only be installed within doors, requiring a second system to be installed around your windows for complete protection.
Ultrasonic Alarms
Ultrasonic burglar alarms make use of soundwaves to detect intruders within your home. Once the soundwaves are disrupted, the alarm will go off. The main advantages of ultrasonic alarms is that they are not installed at a point of entry, but are instead able to cover an entire floor or your entire house, depending on the size and scope of your specific system. However, the major downside of using an ultrasonic alarm is the price: as they are able to cover a much greater area, and make use of more sophisticated hardware than PIR alarms and magnetic switch sensors, ultrasonic alarms can be too expensive to fit into a smaller security budget. Talk to a security firm, like Maffey's Security Group, for more help.
