A modern security system, with its array of electronic components, is designed to sense, decide, and act. The security system senses events such as motion in a room, decides if the event poses a threat, and then acts on that decision. While a security system for your business isn’t a do-it-yourself affair, you should understand the language of security in order to communicate your needs to a security professional, understand any proposals you may receive, and make the most of your security system after it is installed.

In this introduction to security systems, I will take the the sense-decide-act process as an outline and describe the electronic hardware that performs each function.

Sense

The security system components that perform the sense function are called, not surprisingly, sensors. Here are some of the most common sensors that may be used to protect your business:

Door and window contacts

A door/window contact is a switch that can indicate the opening of door or window. All door/window contacts, no matter how sophisticated, operate on the same principle. The switch is mounted to a door or window and is held closed by a magnet attached to door or window frame. When the door or window moves away from the magnet, the switch opens. The alarm control panel (which we’ll talk about in a moment) knows if the contact is open or shut, and keeps track of the doors and windows.

Door contacts should be installed on every ground level, exterior door. Ideally, window contacts should also be installed on all ground level windows, unless the security system design calls for glass break or motion sensors.

Motion Sensors

A motion sensor (often called a space detector, or a motion detector) is designed to sense a person moving in a room. The best motion detectors use two technologies to verify movement: passive infrared (PIR) and microwave. The passive infrared component can sense heat, while the microwave senses movement. When the detector recognizes both heat and movement, it sends an electronic signal to the alarm panel.

The motion detector allows you to protect a large area with one sensor. They are the logical choice for spaces that intruders can access from several directions, such as rooms with many windows.

Article Source:   William Deutsch – www.about.com

Call Computer Controlled Security For More Info (800) B4-U-R-ROB