Security Products
A complete security system consists of a few different components. At the center of it all is the alarm control panel. This is the device that all of the sensors in the setup report to. Whenever a sensor activates, the panel will be informed about the faulted zone. The system will then perform a predetermined action for that zone. This is action is known as the Response Type. Depending on the sensor, the Response Type might be to require a system disarm within a certain period or to send out an immediate distress signal to a central monitoring station.
Of course, the security system won’t be able to detect any trouble unless there have been sensors programmed with the system. When used with alarm systems, sensors are generally divided into one of four categories. These are security sensors, life-safety sensors, environmental sensors, and Z-Wave home automation devices. Security sensors are used to alert the system to a potential burglary. Common security sensors include things like door and window contacts, motion detectors and glass break sensors. Life-safety sensors are used to protect any occupants inside the building from life-threatening situations, such as a fire or an outbreak of deadly carbon monoxide gas. These are essential for any proper security system.
Environmental sensors are used to alert the user to certain environmental conditions that could cause the building to sustain serious damage. Some common types of environmental sensors include flood sensors and temperature sensors. Finally, Z-Wave home automation devices are used to make controlling the home and keeping it comfortable easier than ever. A Z-Wave device can be operated from the panel or remotely using an online interactive service. Some common Z-Wave devices include locks, thermostats, lights and garage door openers. As you add more sensors and devices to your security system, its functionality will continue to expand.
There also other add-ons you might want to purchase for your security system. One common add-on is a secondary keypad so that you have another point of access to the system. Some panels also require add-ons in order to perform certain functions. These can include Z-Wave controllers, communicators and wireless receivers. Check what type of panel you have, and decide what type of add-ons will benefit your system. Remember, most newer panels will come pre-included with most of these add-ons, and they will function with a larger number of sensors.
Finally, you will need an alarm monitoring plan in order to put it all together. We offer many different monitoring plans for users with different needs and budgets. All of our plans are no-contract and fully inclusive, with no hidden fees. We recommend taking a quick look at our monitoring page so that you can decide which plan is right for you. And if you ever need any assistance in choosing a plan, our support team is happy to help you online or over the phone. We are happy to assist you, both with finding the best sensors and deciding on the perfect plan.