Burglar alarms have traditionally been fitted in business premises for many years, and they're now becoming an increasing requirement in private homes and gardens as well. If you've ever shopped for a home security system, then you know there are a confusingly wide variety of options available. These systems range from inexpensive and easy to fit burglar alarms to sophisticated and complicated security networks that must be installed by professionals. But, as it turns out, most alarm systems are actually built around the same basic design concepts, so is it really necessary to spend a lot of money ? Please take a look at the information below and examine a few specific burglar alarm components. As you'll see, some of the most effective burglar alarm systems are also the simplest, easiest to fit, and least expensive.

The Magnetic Switch
The most basic burglar alarm works with a simple electric circuit built into an entry door or window. In any circuit electricity only flows when you give it a path between two points of opposite charge. To connect or disconnect the electricity, you open or close part of the circuit.

Activation of a burglar alarm circuit is made when the switch detects the opening or closing of the circuit, for example opening a door or window. The most popular type of this alarm system is called a Closed Circuit System.

In a closed circuit system, the electric circuit is completed when the door is shut. This means that as long as the door is closed, electricity can flow from one end of the circuit to the other. But if somebody opens the door, the circuit is opened, and electricity can't flow. This triggers an alarm.

The standard magnetic sensor in most circuits consists of a simple switching device consisting of a battery powering a circuit, a spring-driven metal switch built into a door frame and a magnet in the door which is lined up with the switch.

While the door is in the closed position the magnet attracts the metal switch to close it and the circuit is complete. When you open the door the magnet spring releases the switch into the open position cutting off the current, which activates the alarm.

You can also fit this switch into a window frame. If a burglar opens the window, the system is activated in exactly the same way as the door switch.

The best burglar alarms incorporate a control box to prevent the intruder closing the door or window and therefore reconnecting the circuit and de-activating the alarm. This control box has it's own power supply and it monitors the circuit and activates the alarm when the switch is opened but can only be de-activated when someone enters a security code at the control box keypad.

The PIR Motion Detector
The circuit alarm magnetic switches described above are ideal for protecting opening windows and doors of a house, but they don't always provide sufficient all round protection. The best additional protection is to fit motion detectors, often referred to as PIR's.

Passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors are used in the most advanced and also in some of the most simple security systems. These sensors monitor body heat and when an intruder walks into view of the PIR, it detects the increased body heat and triggers the alarm to be activated.

PIR motion detectors are set so that the control box will not sound the alarm immediately they detect body heat. There is a delay of several seconds which allows the homeowner time to enter the property and key in the security code to turn the system off.

You may wonder if the motion sensors can see you when you are outside looking through a window. They cannot because glass is not transparent to infrared energy.

Alarm Activated
Depending on the type of burglar alarm installed there can be several deterrents to an intruder. In advanced systems, the control box will be connected to several different components and will typically activate a siren or loud alarm noise, a flashing outdoor light and siren and a telephone auto-dialer. The siren and lights will alert the householder or neighbors that someone has broken into the house and the sound will often drive the intruder to run away quickly. The telephone auto-dialer can play a pre-recorded message giving the address of the house and can also call your mobile or office, a neighbour, or someone else who can help.

Wired or Wireless?
This is as simple as it sounds, wired burglar alarm systems mean that all the connecting component parts need to be wired together to complete the electrical circuit. However, there is a much easier way of installation, wireless systems automatically transmit the signals between all the component parts of the burglar alarm to avoid the time consuming and sometimes unsightly wiring process.

No Telephone Line or Electricity?
Inexpensive GSM Burglar Alarm Systems are available to protect Holiday Homes, Boats, Caravans or anywhere where there is no telephone line connected, and can even operate without mains electricity. These systems are easy to fit and based on similar component parts to other systems, including sirens to frighten away intruders, but also include an integrated SIM card and battery power to auto dial you, through the mobile telephone network, when activated.

What Burglar Alarm System is best?
Similar basic components are used in most alarm systems, whether they are complicated and expensive burglar alarms or simple and easy to fit burglar alarms. The options and choices are extensive but often the choice will be for a wireless system to protect a house, office, shed/garage, garden ornaments, holiday home, caravan/car/boat. Wireless burglar alarms can be very inexpensive to purchase, and are always much easier to install, and for the most part are all built around the same basic components as the most sophisticated and expensive systems.

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