Home security systems from corporations like ADT, SimpliSafe, Vivint, and so more are our main business. But what exactly is a home security system? How does it work? All of that and more will be answered in this section.
What Exactly Is A Home Security System?
A home security system is a collection of physical and electronic parts that work together to keep a home safe. If you would like to see real – time systems, check out our reviews of SimpliSafe, ADT, and Vivint.
Camera for security
Smart security cameras connect to Wi-Fi, so we can watch live footage of our system from anywhere and get alerts when our cameras see people, packages, or movement. Many cameras have infrared or color night vision, storage in the cloud or on the device itself, and 2 different audio, which lets us talk to anyone who is on camera. Some cameras also work with smart platforms like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Motion sensor
Motion sensors should be put in a home’s primary entryway or main hall on the first floor so they can detect movement and let us know when our system is on. Some motion sensors are attentive to animals, so when our dog walks by, they don’t always go off.
Best Home Security System Suggestions
Home security systems come in a few main types:
1.DIY
With a do-it-yourself home security system, the person inserts it together and probably keeps an eye on it through its own mobile app. But some DIY systems can be monitored by professionals, so the two groups aren’t always mutually exclusive.
2.Professional
One of two things can be meant by a professional home security system. One, it can mean that a professional installed the equipment, which means that a technician does the job. Or, it can mean a system that is professionally monitored, which means that a group of individuals responds to notifications from call centers. Again, some systems that are professionally monitored may also be self-monitored or set up by the user, so these groups aren’t all or nothing.
3.Wireless
On the other hand, a wireless security system doesn’t have any wires. Instead, it uses batteries, Wi-Fi, and/or cellular backup to communicate to the app as well as a monitoring center, if needed. Wireless security devices are easier to set up than wired ones, but the battery will need to be changed or charged.
4.Smart
Smart security systems have been linked to the internet, so the user can use a mobile app to see live footage, get alerts when alarms go off, and operate the system from afar.
5.Local only
Smart alarm systems are linked to the internet, but local alarm systems are not. This means that you can’t control, monitor, or get alerts from a distance. Instead, you would only know if an alarm goes off if you are near enough to hear it. But local audible alarms can still be monitored by a professional using a cell phone or landline as a backup.
How Are Security Systems Operated?
Most home security systems are made up of parts that all connect to a ground station. From there, people connect to a mobile app, which lets us keep an eye on everything and control it from afar. Most systems connect to our mobiles through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cell service. Some systems opt for a landline or a backup battery in case the power goes out.
When we leave the house, we turn on the alarm system. When we get home, we turn off the alarm by entering our login on a keypad, giving a voice control, pressing a car key, or using our app. When our system is turned off, all of the sensors go off, and the camera stops recording automatically. On the other hand, whether or not our security system is on, our smoke and CO sensors are always on. Obviously, if our system is able to arm, the sensors turn on and our scanners start recording.
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