Control Panel

This forms the heart of the system, receiving information from the detectors, processing these signals and turning on or off the internal and external sirens. Modern control panels are more like mini-computers and as such are highly programmable and can easily cope if a customer's requirements change at any time. Some of these changes may even be carried out remotely using VERA. Some have an integral communicator that will send a simple text message to a mobile phone or phones or send details to an Alarm Receiving Centre for subsequent Police response.

Passive Infra-Red Detectors (PIR)

PIR's have been available now for many years and over time manufacturers have made huge improvements like white light filters to reduce the effects of sunlight and bug guards and sealed optics to assist in keeping spiders out thus avoiding the false alarms associated with these problems whilst effectively detecting intruders. Basically, a PIR is a detector that picks up movement of heat and the best type are of the 'true quad' design. This type of detector has not one but two PIR units inside it which gives it much greater immunity to false alarms caused by extremes of temperature for example the extreme heat of a conservatory or perhaps the cold of an unheated garage. There are also PIR's with 'Pet Immunity' so you can have both your security and a pet.

Dual Technology Movement Detectors (DualTec)

Like PIR's DualTec's have been available for many years. They are used mainly in areas where there is likely to be an environmental problem due to extremes of temperature or draughts such as a garage or conservatory. In such conditions a standard PIR might false alarm but a DualTec will generally handle the situation. They use two technologies as the name implies with a PIR that detects movement of heat and a Microwave transceiver that detects movement in a similar way to Radar. An alarm condition will only occur when both the PIR and Microwave detect at the same time making a DualTec very stable.  These largely though have been superseded by the "true quad" design mentioned above.

Location of Movement Detectors

Ideally you should have a movement detector in every room of your house, however this can be expensive and therefore as a recommendation they should be installed in all ground floor rooms with windows (except bathrooms or toilets) and perhaps a single detector on the landing along with any first floor rooms that might be easy to enter from outside from perhaps a kitchen extension.

Door Contacts

A door contact is a magnetic switch with a discrete magnet fitted to the door and a reed switch fitted to the door frame. The switch is activated by the door opening and closing. Any doors that are used as the route into and out of the premises are called the entry/exit doors. These will need to be fitted with a door contact to let the system know you are coming and going. Other doors may be fitted with contacts if you want to ensure they are closed before setting the alarm and not accidentally left open as this would prevent the alarm from setting. It is usual to have the area that the door leads into protected with a PIR because most modern doors cannot be easily opened and the burglar is likely to use an easier point of entry.

Shock Sensors

Sometimes known as "vibration sensors" or "vibro's" these are designed to detect forced entry to windows or doors and even walls in commercial premises. Modern shock sensors have very sophisicated analysers built in to enable them to discriminate between heavy traffic or thunderclaps and a genuine break in. They are generally used to provide perimiter protection in areas where pets are allowed to roam freely or where a PIR would not be practical.