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Intrusion Detection Systems When it comes to protecting the security of assets, organizations have many options to choose from. From basic alarms to the varied sensors that are available, there are many variations on security, and organizations should make a thought out choice based on the specific needs and dangers of its location, as well as any other factors including what needs to be protected, and from whom. These needs will determine the type and scope of the system to best protect against the specific dangers that an individual organization may face. The most basic security system usually consists of three major components, including a control unit, sensors, and annunciators. There are two basic types of burglar or intruder alarm systems: hardwired and wireless. With a hardwired alarm, the company or individual installing the system needs to run wire from the control unit to each sensor and to the siren, alarm, or bell.
Often called a "control box", control panel" or "keypad, " the control unit of the security system is the "brains" of the system, and is where an organization can program, arm and disarm the system. A small system may have only one control unit, but many more advanced and larger alarm systems have multiple remote control panels or keypads for the convenience and ease of use of the security personnel or employees that use them. Sensors, also known as "detectors, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and they are designed to detect sound, air movement, body heat, and other conditions that indicate an intruder is present. An annunciator alerts the security personnel or employees that the alarm has been triggered, and that they should follow whatever protocol has been set by the company. Sometimes it also alerts the local authorities for a faster response. Common annunciators include sirens, bells and lights.
When a properly placed sensor detects an intruder, it then signals the control unit and the control unit then responds as programmed which usually means to trigger annunciators and other components, or alerts authorities as stated above. Most security system detectors fall within the two categories of perimeter and space. Perimeter devices protect doors, windows and walls, and they detect intruders before the intruder enters the specific physical space that the organization wants to protect. The most common perimeter devices include magnetic switches, audio discriminators, and foil tape sensors. Space protection devices cover open areas like rooms and hallways within a building. They work well in tandem with perimeter detectors because they can detect an intruder who has bypassed a perimeter device.
One of the most cost-effective and basic sensors is the foil tape type, which is usually applied to windows. Like wire, the foil acts as an electrical conductor to make a complete circuit in an alarm system so that when the window is broken the fragile foil also breaks, which interrupts the circuit and triggers the alarm. Foil tape is so inexpensive that it costs literally pennies per foot, but a downfall is that it breaks easily even when the building's windows are washed. Another downfall for some organizations is that often foil tape generally isn't considered attractive on windows. The most popular perimeter protection device is the magnetic switch, which is used to protect doors and windows that open. A magnetic switch is reliable, inexpensive and easy to install.
It consists of two small parts: a switch and a magnet, and both are usually kept in an identical shaped plastic case. The switch contains two electrical contacts and a metal spring-loaded bar that bridges the contacts while magnetism is applied, which maintains a complete electrical circuit in the alarm system. When the magnetic force isn't present, the bar lifts off one or both contacts, creating an open circuit and triggering the alarm, which is how magnetic switches function in many burglar alarm systems. For a typical installation, the magnet is mounted on a door or window and the switch is aligned a short distance, such as half an inch, away on the door or window frame. When an intruder pushes the door or window open, the magnet is moved out of alignment and no longer holds the switch's bar on the contacts.
Some of these magnetic switches are designed to be mounted on the surface, which is the least expensive and easiest to method of installation. For a more attractive installation, some organizations prefer recessed mounting of the magnetic switches, in which the mounted models are fitted into drilled holes. When they are properly installed, recessed mounted magnetic switches are difficult to notice, and they blend in well with the building's doors or windows. The audio discriminator is another kind of sensor, which can be triggered by the sound of breaking glass. The discriminator converts the sound into an electrical signal. Many professional alarm installers prefer using audio discriminators.
By strategically placing audio discriminators, an organization can protect several large windows at the same time. Some sensor models can be mounted on a wall up to 50 feet away from the window or window area, and some have an omni directional pickup pattern which can be used for ceiling mounting. Although they are tuned to the high-frequency sound glass creates when it breaks, other loud sounds may also cause the sensor to trigger an alarm. Some sophisticated models require both the sound of breaking glass and shock vibrations before triggering an alarm, a feature which reduces false alarms caused by vibrations or sounds alone. Microwave detectors emit high-frequency radio waves and sense any change in the pattern of reflected waves, which could be caused by an intruder, and are one of the more sensitive space protection devices.
They can penetrate walls and the coverage can be adjusted to protect unusually shaped rooms and hallways. They are easy to conceal because they can be placed behind solid objects and it aren't vulnerable to loud noises or air movement if they are properly adjusted. However, proper adjustment can be difficult because microwaves penetrate walls. Many regular changes such as a passing car, radio transmissions, or even florescent lights could trigger a false alarm. The ultrasonic sensor transmits high-frequency sound waves like the microwave sensor, but its waves reflect off walls, floors and furniture in the space. The problem with this sensor is that it can trigger false alarms caused by minor noises as a ringing telephone or jangling keys.
Passive infrared, or PIR detectors, are the most common space protection sensors. They sense changes in temperature within a protected area by gaming infrared radiation, which is a form of heat energy given off by all living things, including intruders. When an intruder comes into a protected zone, a PIR detector sees the rapid change in IR radiation, and if it is properly positioned and adjusted, the sensor will ignore all ordinary and gradual changes in ambient infrared energy levels caused by environmental contributors like sunlight and heating systems. Perhaps the biggest drawback to the PIR is that it is unable to monitor an entire room in a building at once. Theoretically, an organization could handle this problem by putting multiple PIRS throughout a room or space. Even then, however, they wouldn't cover every single spot in the area.
The solution to this problem is to select the correct type of lens that gives the shape of coverage for the room or area that the organization is protecting. Unlike how it is shown in the movies, nothing is actually emitting from the PIR and the intruder can't see the detection pattern. IF the organization combines PIR with microwave they have a more effective, dual-technology or dual tech system. The dual tech system triggers the alarm only when both types of sensors detect an intrusion. They can be costly, so they " re used for commercial and high end applications.
As we " ve seen, there is a wide variety of security devices that an organization can choose from. Any of these can be used alone, though combinations of them are most effective because they make it more difficult for intruders to plan entry, and increase the likelihood that an intrude will trip up and set off an alarm. Overall, the correct choice and combination of technology can help an organization keep their assets secure from whatever danger they face.
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