anyone install a home security system before?

Serendipity

I'm talking about the glassbreak sensor that you mount to the window. If you live in a city with a small home (like in NYC), you only need 12 or so glassbreak sensors attached to the windows.

disneyjoe7

Ok wiring 12 in series and doing it so they all come back to alarm panel, or one wire to panel making 12 connections in the field / wall. Will come back to haunt you trust me, I worked for the alarm industry 10 years ago so I seen many alarm companies merges. You know why companies folded why people did use the system... If a system causes false alarms to the point you don't trust it, you will stop using it.

Things you should do "Home Run" all wiring so 1 sensor or switch go back to panel. Think the fewer parts involved the fewer problems.

Know where to install a motion, glassbreak, or smoke detector, many places on the net to help there. But to greater you understand that the better the alarm will be.

Serendipity

Now you're assuming things...

I have four zones, each to the main panel, and then each zone has anywhere from 2-4 glassbreak detectors wired in series. I don't have 12 connections in the wall, that's just asking for one of the connections to come loose!

disneyjoe7

appadv wrote: »

Now you're assuming things...

I have four zones, each to the main panel, and then each zone has anywhere from 2-4 glassbreak detectors wired in series. I don't have 12 connections in the wall, that's just asking for one of the connections to come loose!

It will happen, it's not if but when.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

It will happen, it's not if but when.

So you're saying it is better off to run everything to the panel?

disneyjoe7

appadv wrote: »

So you're saying it is better off to run everything to the panel?

In general but if you did 2 to 4 in series you are fine, but something will happen one day so finding the open is a bit harder then if home run. But I understand sometimes that isn't the best method at times.

Tech tip you can use a multimeter on to millivolt setting to see a swinger, so that's closed but causes false alarms. But a butt set works well here also the swinger will cause static on the pair.

Talking about zones on a panel, many years ago there where alarms where you turned on from the outside of the house with a key. When you had it all closed up you got a white light, turning it on you got a red light. I called them "One Light Wonders", what a pain to fix usually just one wire that went around the house window to window, door to door.

Serendipity

Sure, thanks for the tips!

What do I know, I'm just an EE major...

exalted512

I've noticed some systems have a device where it calls you with a prepaid minute deal and a SIM card...thats pretty awesome. I would like something like that. I saw some on ebay, I'm just wondering if theyre worth a ****.
-Cody

disneyjoe7

I know of alarm panels that communicate by TCP/IP but don't know anything about prepaid minute deal and SIM card.

ben62670

When I get to GA I am going to start a security business. I am very proficient welding burglar bars, installing DVR's, and electronics are another strong suite. One comment on dogs is if a bugler hears them they will move onto the next house unless you are targeted. Deadbolts on the inside are very useful if you have a window next to the lock, and window locks are a good idea in some situations. Alarms that call can easily be disconnected by would be intruders if they know you have an alarm. When I do my house I am going to install sirens indoors, and out. Also installing strobe lights is a very good deterrence.
Ben

exalted512

http://cgi.ebay.com/WIRELESS-HOME-SECURITY-SYSTEM-HOUSE-ALARM-w-AUTO-DIALER_W0QQitemZ150261437763QQihZ005QQcategoryZ41969QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

exalted512

Also something like that seems a lot harder to disable than just a land line.
-Cody

MikeC78

BTW, you might want to check how the service disconect switch is mounted outside the residence. It's not that hard for someone to cut the power to your house, a lock on the box might hold him off a few more seconds than try to go around the alarm.

Do the alarms work on some sort of back-up system?

disneyjoe7

MikeC78 wrote: »

BTW, you might want to check how the service disconect switch is mounted outside the residence. It's not that hard for someone to cut the power to your house, a lock on the box might hold him off a few more seconds than try to go around the alarm.

Do the alarms work on some sort of back-up system?

Absolutely a decent alarm system as a Battery back up which should work for 4+ hours at least. As some either have a radio system back up or a cell phone back up which to transmit the code and sending or calling who needed. Different codes forces different reaction on their part, where a burglar alarm they call the resident first to reduce a false dispatch. But an panic alarm is dispatched first, a fire alarm is dispatched first, an ambush alarm is a silent keypad code which will shut off alarm and sent code police is dispatched first resident isn't called.

disneyjoe7

appadv wrote: »

Sure, thanks for the tips!

What do I know, I'm just an EE major...

Hey, you being a EE major let me ask you a question.....



Did you read the instructions to a "T" and ground your panel? And what brand is it? DSC? Model?

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Did you read the instructions to a "T" and ground your panel?

Yes, I did ground the panel. And to answer Mike's questoin, also have battery backup in case the power is cut.

exalted512

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

I know of alarm panels that communicate by TCP/IP but don't know anything about prepaid minute deal and SIM card.

Will TCP/IP call your cell phone without a land line?
-Cody

tonyb

African Lion......the intruder is the steak.Will also take care of pesty rodents and those Johova Witness people that come a knockin' all hours of the day.

disneyjoe7

exalted512 wrote: »

Will TCP/IP call your cell phone without a land line?
-Cody

Without all the other benefits of a true alarm, what are you going to do when it went off. And to add to it if you didn't installed it correctly as not to cause you any false alarms would you rush home every time then.

I understand what you wish to do, just trying get you to see the whole picture. Sorry to state this to you, but what you're looking at is a toy IMHO.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Without all the other benefits of a true alarm, what are you going to do when it went off. And to add to it if you didn't installed it correctly as not to cause you any false alarms would you rush home every time then.

I understand what you wish to do, just trying get you to see the whole picture. Sorry to state this to you, but what you're looking at is a toy IMHO.

Agreed. You really need (at a minimum) a land line connection AND I'd recommend a cellular connection. Otherwise, what are you going to do when the alarm goes off?

exalted512

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Without all the other benefits of a true alarm, what are you going to do when it went off. And to add to it if you didn't installed it correctly as not to cause you any false alarms would you rush home every time then.

I understand what you wish to do, just trying get you to see the whole picture. Sorry to state this to you, but what you're looking at is a toy IMHO.

Well, what I'm trying to do is NOT pay a monthly fee for an alarm company. Nothing in my house besides my fiancee and I are worth dying over. I want a deterrent, that will let me know if/when something does happen. I don't mind paying $20 every time it goes off for someone to call me, but at the same time, I don't want/need a land line. The only thing it would be used for is for the alarm, which, to me, is just like paying a monthly fee.

You're saying this is a toy?
http://cgi.ebay.com/WIRELESS-HOME-SECURITY-SYSTEM-HOUSE-ALARM-w-AUTO-DIALER_W0QQitemZ150261437763QQihZ005QQcategoryZ41969QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You're the guy thats done the work with home security, I'm a total idiot when it comes to it, because I've never installed one, even disarmed one in my entire life. I'm not an expert and I know that 100%:D So if you say that ebay thing is crap, and I think it is just by looking at the picture, then I trust you. Really, I was just asking is there something like this out there from a reputable company that I can get.

If its not possible with out a land line or getting charged a monthly fee, then I don't want it. I'll just have one that goes off and hopefully that'll scare them off.

I tell my customers who want alarms all the time that there is a HUGE difference between a security system and an alarm system. A security system is designed to keep it secure, an alarm system just alarms the area that something is going on, and its up to the area to respond.

When it comes down to it, the only thing it has to have is a remote so I don't have to punch in a code every time and sensors for the windows and doors. If it calls me, that is a HUGE plus, but if it sacrifices the quality of the system I get, then I can do without it.

And again, I appreciate all your help, I'm just here to learn;)
-Cody

EDIT:
I do have cable internet that is always on, if that will allow me in anyway to send a text or something to my cell phone...I dont know, just throwing another option out there and waiting for you to tell me if thats plausible or not

disneyjoe7

Cody,

You can do what you feel is best for you, you rule yourself. I wouldn't want that device as a gift, but that's me. I agree with you a security system and an alarm system are what they are, and liked your analogy. I must state this if they know what's in your house they can get around everything, as far as to paid off the police, NSA, FBI, CIA. Your best deterrent is hiding what you own or show it off to people you know well. In other words place yourself in their shoes, could they use some quick cash? If so do you wish them to know what you own? As you can see I don't like alarms which don't report to the people who can do it best police / and or fire department, but again understand where you're coming from. I'm also not a fan of Adamco alarm products why just me, lots of them out there and they work. Never seen what you linked to but feel if they make it the pro's know about also so any alarm company should be able to set you up if that's the avenue you wish to go down.

Steve

exalted512

Yea, I know not to 'advertise' what I have. That goes double with car stuff, so I definitely get where you're coming from.

My thing is, this house isnt that nice and I feel that just having an alarm on the house is going to ward off anyone that would break into it. Now, when I'm older, have kids and nicer things in a nicer house, yes, I will get something that notifies an alarm company, the police, and me, but at this stage in my life, i don't feel its necessary.

I emailed www.homesecuritystore.com

This is the system he recommended:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=1673&bViaAC=True
I told him I wanted to be able to disarm it with a remote, he gave me this which I dont think is what I want...seems that this is I can disarm it remotely with a touch tone phone...which I'm not sure if that would also mean I'd have to have a land line.
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=435&bViaAC=True
He also gave me this, which im not sure what it does?
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=664&bViaAC=True
and this to control lights...even though I wanted something more along the lines of an outdoor strobe light...not sure if this will do that:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=661&bViaAC=True
-Cody

disneyjoe7

DSC escort alarm controller needs a land line phone. It allows all the house phones to become an alarm keypad by *** (I think anyway if I remembered right), and it allows you to call the house and get an input of what the alarm is doing or turn on or off. Nice system but not really what you're looking for I think anyway.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

I'm also not a fan of Adamco alarm products why just me, lots of them out there and they work.

You mean Ademco?

Mine works perfectly

exalted512

Do you know what this thing does?
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=664&bViaAC=True
-Cody

disneyjoe7

exalted512 wrote: »

Do you know what this thing does?
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=664&bViaAC=True
-Cody

Cody,

No I'm still trying to figure that out.

disneyjoe7

appadv wrote: »

You mean Ademco?

Mine works perfectly

Yes, not a fan but like I stated it works. I worked 15 years in that industry, is it ok if I had stuff I liked, and stuff I didn't


No offense.

Serendipity

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Yes, not a fan but like I stated it works. I worked 15 years in that industry, is it ok if I had stuff I liked, and stuff I didn't


No offense.

Sure, I can understand.

It's just that I haven't had any problems with their stuff, so I'd say Ademco products are reliable.

disneyjoe7

appadv wrote: »

Sure, I can understand.

It's just that I haven't had any problems with their stuff, so I'd say Ademco products are reliable.

I was going to PM you about different brands and "Grounding" but I say this about Ademco they are Bullet proof when it comes to "Grounding" It's the only brand I believe could take a direct hit and still work.