Guide To Burglar Alarms

Burglar alarms and intruder alarm systems are a worthwhile investment in the ongoing security and protection of your home and family and a proven deterrent against burglary and crime.

There are many different types of burglar alarm systems available for domestic and business use but they can be broadly categorised into 2 main groups:-

Bells only alarms
Monitored alarm system

The issue is further complicated as both the above types can be available as hard-wired or wireless security systems.

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Bells only burglar alarms - when the burglar alarm is triggered by one of the alarm components, an outside bell or siren is activated. This will undoubtedly inform the burglar that they have been detected and may encourage them to leave.

The mere presence of an alarm system may also persuade a burglar to find an easier target.

However, in these days when many houses have intruder alarms fitted the general public may choose to ignore the warnings bells. How many times have you heard a burglar alarm going off and how many times have you taken any action about it?

With a monitored alarm system, any burglar alarm activation is passed either to a pre-selected list of telephone numbers (Mobile, friends, family or neighbours) if a telephone auto-dialler is connected to the alarm system, or to a central monitoring station if a digicom is connected to the alarm system.

The telephone autodialler is suitable for domestic and small commercial installations where the cost of installation and annual service is minimal but assumes that the person answering the call will react appropriately to the alarm activation.

The central monitoring station is the highest security and the most expensive both for installation and annual service. It is also a requirement that the alarm system is fitted by a NACOSS approved Alarm Company in most counties in the United Kingdom if police callout is required following a alarm activation. This kind of system is usually suited to commercial or large domestic premises.

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However, if you are thinking about the installation of a security alarm system in your home it is worth taking into account that the Police response to intruder alarm activations varies according to the type of burglar alarm installed.

Wireless burglar alarms earned themselves a reputation for poor reliability in the past, which they have found difficult to shake off. The current crop of wireless burglar alarm systems on the market have vastly improved over the originals and are now as reliable as hard-wired security systems. They are much easier to install so are within the scope of DIY but are more expensive than hard-wired systems.

Alert Electrical supplies can supply complete burglar alarm kits ready for installation. Alternatively, if you wish to install a bespoke security system to your own specification, then Alert Electrical can supply all the individual elements necessary i.e. :