What are the Components of a Security System?
Security systems can vary widely in size and scale: from simple home alarms and small business surveillance systems to commercial-grade intrusion and detection systems. One system could even be comprised of enterprise-level networks that stretch across multiple locations.
Understanding the essential components of a security system is the best way to start your search for your home or business’s perfect safety solution. We will dive into each one in the paragraphs below.
Master Control Panel
Behind every security system, there is a master control panel, which acts as the brains of the entire operation. It is the central processing unit that houses the circuitry responsible for interpreting and executing the security program’s commands.
For a home security system, the master control panel is located both on your touchscreen alarm keypad and via Alarm.com. You can control and access the system from inside or outside of your home. Your cameras, monitors, smart switches, and detectors can be attached to this control panel and associated systems. For commercial uses, there is a security panel that acts as the main hub. This panel is hardwired into your system and able to give you back-end access to this as well.
Sensors
The broadest definition of a sensor is a device whose purpose is to detect changes in its environment and send the information to other electronics. Some examples of different sensors include:
- Passive infrared motion detectors
- Ultrasonic detectors
- Microwave detectors
- Magnetic switches
- Photoelectric beams
- Glass break detectors
- Pressure mats
- Impact-activated microphones
- Panic button
- Security cameras
- and more
This list goes on and on, and every sensor in a security system has unique features and types of signal transmission to consider. The number of options can be downright dizzying, but it’s worth investing the time upfront to learn about the possibilities and ensure your system provides the right level of protection for your home or business.
Sounding Device
Finally, the sounding device is the way your security system lets someone know there is a problem.
The sounding device for your security system may be designed to alert people inside the home or building that there is an issue and may include things like bells, chimes, horns, strobe lights, or voice evacuation systems. The sounding device could also be used to notify people outside of the home or building that there is an issue by silently alerting an outside monitoring company, triggering a notification to the owner, or even alerting emergency responders. Most security systems use some combination of sounding devices depending on the situation that occurs.
Long-term Investment
A security system is a long-term investment that should last you 15 or 20 years. That’s why it is wise to work with a professional to help you understand the complete picture of what is available to you. There is a plethora of options and features in each component category, and it’s important to consider what functions you want the security system to support both today and down the road. If you would like to learn more, give our team a call at 888-412-5356, and one of our specialists will help you figure out what would be necessary for your needs.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Inside the Mind of a Burglar
What Message Are You Sending? Whether you know it or not, your business could send a message to potential burglars about how easy or difficult it is to break in. Professional thieves can quickly assess a property, also known as “casing,” to determine if it could be an easy and lucrative target. Unfortunately, many employees…
8 Home Security Tips
With more than 45 years of experience in the home and business security industry, here are our top eight tips for discouraging intruders and burglars from targeting your home. 1. Create the illusion that someone is at your house. If you are going to be gone for an extended time, leave a light or TV…
How Often Should You Check Your Smoke Detectors?
Fire Alarm Testing Whether your fire alarm is protecting your home or a commercial facility, regular testing of your fire alarm system is critical to ensure it is working correctly. This test guarantees that everyone occupying the home or office understands what to do when the fire alarm sounds, gives you a chance to check…
How Do Wireless Doorbells Work?
A doorbell is a pretty self-explanatory tool—you press the button outside, and a chime goes off inside, alerting the homeowner that someone is at the front door. Like everything else, though, today’s technology has brought even the humble doorbell into the limelight as an indispensable tool for convenience and security. Pros and Cons of Wireless…
What Are Fire Alarm System Zones?
Fire alarm zones are standard in conventional fire panels. Each zone represents a different area in the building to help firefighters and professionals pinpoint the source of an alarm. However, it can be confusing to research fire alarm zones because they are not as common as they once were. Conventional and addressable systems handle communication for fire…
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
How Does a Fire Alarm Work? Fire alarm systems have two main functions: Alert the occupants of a building to a fire emergency enabling a safe evacuation Notify firefighters of the fire emergency. Options for Fire Alarms Manual Fire Alarms Manual fire alarms, also known as manual pull stations, are a way for people to alert…
What are the Different Types of Smoke Detectors?
Smoke detectors are vital to fire safety for homes and businesses. Because they protect lives from fires or gas leaks, it’s essential to choose the best detector for your environment. There are various options to choose from, meaning you need to understand the benefits each one offers before making a selection. Learn more about the…
Landlord Security System Installation Guide
Buying a home is one of the most significant investments a person can make. You upgrade your home in many ways—a fresh coat of paint, a landscaping project, or possibly adding a security system. If you go a step further and invest in rental properties, you have to do all those things and more to…
How Poor Security Can Cost Your Business
Poor security practices have hidden costs With the many expenses that business owners must juggle for day-to-day operations, security often falls by the wayside. Even though it seems like an easy way to save money, the cost of handling a break-in can surpass the money you’d spend on installing and maintaining a security system. Here…
Why Are Fire Hydrants Different Colors?
The eye-catching colors of a fire hydrant are hard to miss, whether you’re walking through a city or driving around a neighborhood. What many don’t realize, however, is that these colors are integral in helping emergency responders identify and assess their available resources when preparing to fight a fire. Fire hydrant colors are distinct to…