BENEFITS OF INSTALLING A BURGLAR ALARM

The best part of having a burglar alarm installed in your home is not just that it will scare away robbers before they take your belongings, but that it often deters them from attempting to enter your home in the first place. A properly installed burglar alarm system provides round-the-clock security, offering both peace of mind and protection for your family and property.

PLANNING THE INSTALLATION – SECURITY ALARM

Before attempting to install any wiring or burglar alarm system components, it is recommended to create a detailed installation plan. This will help ensure the system is set up using the most effective and least intrusive methods. Follow these guidelines and refer to the example provided when preparing your own system plan.

ALARM CONTROL PANEL

The burglar alarm control panel is the heart of the system. It contains the microprocessor and electronic circuitry required to monitor various detection circuits (zones) and initiate an alarm during an intrusion.

The complete burglar alarm system operates at 12 volts, powered by a plug-in mains adaptor. In the event of a power failure, the system will automatically switch to backup batteries if installed.

• Control Panel Features:
  • The panel collects data from sensors, processes it, and triggers alarms.
  • Includes a user interface with control keys, a numeric keypad, display, sounder, and loudspeaker.

LOCATING THE CONTROL PANEL

For maximum security, place the burglar alarm control panel in a discreet but accessible location.

• Ideal Locations:
  • Near the main entry door or inside a small cupboard under the stairs.
  • Close to a mains socket for power supply.
  • At a convenient height (similar to a household light switch) but out of reach of small children.

Consider whether the Exit/Entry Tone can be heard clearly when arming the system from outside the property.

Note: When using the Home Arm feature, ensure the control panel is not located in an area protected by a PIR motion detector unless this detector is excluded during Home Arm.

ENTRY AND EXIT TIMES

• Entry Time:
  • This is the period allowed for the user to disarm the burglar alarm after entering the premises.
  • Programmable between 01 – 240 seconds (default is 30 seconds).
  • If the system is not disarmed within this time, a full alarm will be triggered.
• Exit Time:
  • The time allowed to exit the premises before the system arms.
  • Programmable between 01 – 99 seconds (default is 30 seconds).
  • All protected zones must be clear before the burglar alarm system arms to prevent false alarms.

ALARM DURATION

The alarm duration defines how long the external siren will sound following an activation.

• Default duration: 20 minutes (can be set between 01 – 20 minutes).
• Check local authority noise pollution regulations for maximum permissible alarm duration.

BURGLAR ALARM – CHIME ZONES

Chime zones allow you to monitor activity in protected areas while the system is disarmed.

• When someone opens a chime zone, the buzzer beeps twice.
• Chime zones can be used in:
  • Homes: To announce visitors or monitor children.
  • Businesses: To signal customer entry or alert personnel to restricted area access.

Note: Fire zones or 24-hour zones should never be designated as chime zones since they trigger an alarm even when disarmed.

ARMING AND DISARMING THE BURGLAR ALARM

• Arming:
  • Prepares the burglar alarm system to detect and respond to intrusions.
  • Modes include:
    • AWAY:The system protects all zones.
    • HOME:The system protects only perimeter zones, allowing free movement inside.The system allows movement indoors.
    • INSTANT: There is no entry delay; the system triggers the alarm immediately when a zone is disturbed.
    • LATCHKEY: The system notifies the user if someone disarms it outside a specific time frame.
• Disarming:
  • Deactivates the burglar alarm and returns the system to standby mode.
  • Fire and 24-hour zones remain active in disarmed mode.

DISTURBED ZONES AND FORCED ARMING

• Disturbed Zone:
  • A zone in alarm state caused by unauthorized entry or sensor activation.
• Forced Arming:
  • When something disturbs a zone, the burglar alarm system blocks arming until the issue is resolved.
  • Forced arming automatically deactivates disturbed zones to allow the system to arm.

QUICK ARMING AND REMOTE RESPONSE

• Quick Arming:
  • Allows arming without entering a user code.
  • The installer enables or disables this feature.
• Remote Responder:
  • A monitoring service or designated contact who responds to burglar alarm events.
  • The control panel reports alarms via telephone.

MAGNETIC CONTACT DETECTORS – BURGLAR ALARM

Each magnetic contact detector consists of two parts:

• Magnetic Contact Switch: Mounted on the door or window frame.
• Magnet: Attached to the moving part (door or window).

When the door or window closes, the magnetic field keeps the contact switch closed. If someone opens the door or window, it triggers the contact switch to open, generating an alarm signal if the system is armed.

• Common installation points:
  • Front and back doors.
  • Vulnerable entry points (garage, patio, and conservatory doors).

PASSIVE INFRARED (PIR) MOVEMENT DETECTORS

PIR detectors sense movement by detecting infrared radiation changes.

• The system triggers alarms when it detects movement in the protected area.
• Avoid placing PIR detectors in areas accessible to pets, as they may cause false alarms.

EXTERNAL SIREN – BURGLAR ALARM

The external siren activates during a burglary, alerting nearby individuals and deterring intruders.

• Installation Tips:
  • Install in a prominent, high-visibility location.
  • Use tamper-proof wiring to prevent intruders from disabling the siren.
• Effectiveness:
  • The loud siren disorients intruders.
  • Indoor sounders fill the space with noise, making it harder for intruders to hear approaching responders.

✅ CONCLUSION

A burglar alarm system is a vital security measure for safeguarding homes and businesses. Proper planning, installation, and configuration ensure maximum effectiveness in deterring intrusions. By installing reliable detectors, magnetic contacts, PIR sensors, and external sirens, you create a robust security network that offers peace of mind and reliable protection.