In this 2nd part on smart security we discuss smart alarms.
Proprietary Lock Downs
Many of the existing burglar alarm manufacturers are integrating iot with their systems.
CCTV manufacturers have now expanded into supplying Burglar Alarm Systems.
All of these are attempts at integrating their offerings within the smart home.
The key point is that most of these are proprietary systems. This means you are locked in to a single provider. Your smart home evolves only at the pace set by your manufacturer, and you can rarely integrate a wide range of devices from other manufacturers.
Once again we highlight the importance of having a system that is compatible with the widest range of devices, from a single platform, from disparate manufacturers.
Smart Home Integration with Alarms
The smart home is a synergistic system in which burglar alarm devices, cameras, locks, lighting and everything else integrates to a single platform. In these systems a detected event can initiate subsequent actions – such as turning on specific lights, notifying responders, locking doors and more.
The smart home doesn’t only detect intruders. Smart homes are able to detect smoke, fire, toxic gasses, falling, lack of motion and a lot more than the traditional alarm system.
The Smart Alarm
The modern trend is that all devices are wireless. This is so prevalent that wired systems are hardly termed smart. The wireless system uses your home’s wi-fi system , and GSM to connect devices and alert responders to an event.
Wireless systems reduce the complexity of installation. Unsightly exposed wires are minimised. You get instant control and Notification from this system via the smart app and network connectivity.
Smart alarms can also distinguish between objects that activate sensors. These alarms significantly reduce the number of false alarms by activating only when real threats are detected.
Let’s take a look at the components of the smart alarm.
Burglar Alarm Panel
The heart of the system. It is an electronic board that connects all the sensors, indicators and controls to a central processor.
True Smart Alarms replace the panel with a Smart Alarm Hub.
Siren or Strobe
This is the actual indicator that alerts to an alarm condition – it’s either an audible siren, or a flashing strobe light or both.
Smart Alarm App.
An application that connects your smart alarm to the internet. The connection is usually achieved via a plug in IP module. The connection allows you to control your alarm system remotely, via a smart device. Some apps are limited purely to control of the alarm system, while other apps integrate all the devices in your smart home, on the same app as the alarm system.
Many alarm systems are now monitored via internet software, which allows both the security responder and the occupant to monitor the alarm system.
Keypad.
This is a numeric type keypad, mounted in the house and allows control of the alarm system.
Door and Window Sensors
These sensors are fitted to the door or window. An alarm will activate if that door or window is opened. Unfortunately if the glass is broken or removed and an intruder gains access without opening the frame, this sensor will not activate.
Vibration and abnormal sound detectors can be deployed to protect against entry through windows and doors by force or breaking.
Motion Sensors
Motion detectors are also called PIR’s. These will detect motion in a protected space, and activate the alarm.
Modern CCTV cameras also perform this function, and can be integrated into the alarm system. The cameras adopt a dual video and motion sensor role. There are many privacy settings that can be applied to cameras for the protection of occupant privacy.
CCTV cameras and Video Doorbells are viewed as part of the alarm system in the smart home.
The alarm system is not very complex, and there is not much to expand on with these systems which main priority is to detect and alert about emergencies.
These emergencies may be crime related, medical, fire or simply monitoring of the elderly who are frail, or live alone or detecting the crying of a young child.
The key takeaway is ;
- You want a system, like that provided by Gensix Technology, that is not locked in to a single manufacturer. It must integrate with the entire home’s iot.
- Is wireless,
- Is capable of smart algorithmic object detection,
- Offers the ability to detect more than simple intrusion.
- Has dual communication modes such as internet protocol and GSM.
