Wired Burglar Alarm System

If you are looking to install a burglar alarm and you are currently renovating your house, shop or office or plant, this is a good time to install a wired burglar alarm system. 

A wired system is always preferred.  With a wired system, you do not need to worry about changing batteries or interference with other wireless devices, and is better and faster in its response to an intrusion, compared with a wireless system. 

However there are situation where we would consider a wireless system.  If the requirement is only for a couple of devices such as front door contact and a motion sensor, the wireless system proved faster and easier to implement.  Or you have already completed the renovation and you cannot accept exposed cables running alongside your wall, the Wireless System would be a much neater and cleaner solution.

That is why we carry wired and wireless systems to meet the different installation challenges and situations.

Wired Alarm Range

We carry two brands of wired burglar alarm systems: CADDX from GE Security, USA and DSC PowerSeries from DSC, Canada. Both are reliable and trusted brands and for most applications, we recommend CADDX for offices and homes with 8 zones and below, and the DSC PowerSeries for landed properties with 8 zones and more. 

Wired Alarm Accessories

While the control panels may be the brains, without the right sensors at the right location, the burglar alarm panels would be ineffective. Hence it is important to choose the right type of sensor for the right application.

Wired burglar alarm accessories are common to all brands of wired alarm panels.  What is listed below can be used with the CADDX as well as the DSC PowerSeries panels. 

Magnetic Contacts

The most basic sensors of any alarm system is a door and window Magnetic Contacts.  Comprising of a magnet and a switch, the switch is closed when the magnet is lined up with it. This type of setup is ideal for monitoring doors, windows, and sliding doors.

Motion Sensors

Motion Sensors detect movement by measuring optical changes or acoustical changes in its field of view.  Most detectors has a detection range up to 15 meters.  There are three types of motion sensors:

• Passive Infra Red Sensors (PIR) which detect movement by looking for body heat

• Ultrasonic Sensors that sends out pulses and measures reflection off a moving object

• Microwave Sensors that send out microwave pulses and measures reflection off a moving object 

To reduce false alarm, some sensors may use a combination of different technologies.  Most dual-technology detectors incorporate the PIR technology with Ultrasonic or Microwave technology.  They are designed such that Ultrasonic or Microwave pulses are sent only when the PIR sensor is tripped.

The key to reducing false alarm lies on the selection of detectors and their strategic, correct placement.  For example, PIR Motion Sensors should not face open windows as it may pick up heat changes caused by the headlights of a passing car.  And for homes with pets, Pet Immunity Motion Sensors should be use to reduce false alarm caused by pets running about the premises. 

Beam Detectors

Active Infra-Red Beams are ideal for protecting large voids such as roof areas with skylights or perimeter walls. Comprising a pair that transmit and receive, an intrusion is detector when the beam is cut. Most units comes equipped with dual beam, reducing false alarm that may arise from falling leaves or insects flying pass.

Fire Detectors

While it may be the last thing on our mind, fire may happen anytime, anywhere. Yet having a smoke detector detect early sign of fire can greatly increase your chance of getting everyone out before the fire break out. Our Burglar Alarm Control Panels support a wide range of fire detector that is designed to give you that head start warning you need.

Glass Break/ Vibration Sensors

Glass break sensors should be considered for applications with large glass panels such as retail shops, office buildings and residences.  There are two types of glass break sensors. 

Single technology Acoustic Sensors listen to the sound of breaking glass and can be mounted on walls or ceilings.  They can cover a range of 6 - 10 m at 360 degrees range, and can be used to protect a number of windows or glass panels.

Dual technology sensors uses acoustic and vibration and such sensors must be mounted on each panel.  It will trigger alarm only when both vibration and sound of breaking glass is detected.

Panic Buttons

 A panic button can be used to quickly activate an alarm as a measure to mitigate an emergency situation.  Panic buttons can be installed at cashiers, bank tellers as well as in the home. 

Siren and Strobe Lights

Wireless Alarm

Wireless systems are ideal for installations where cabling is not possible or difficult to run.  It is also ideal when  you are looking at installing a small system, lesser than 4 zones, within a small area.

Wireless Alarm Range

We carry three ranges of wireless burglar alarm systems.  The three ranges are Simon III from GE Security; PowerSeries 9047 from DSC; and PowerMax from Visonic.

GE Simon III

DSC PowerSeries

Alarm Monitoring

Possibly the most important key to a good security system is the professional 24 hour security alarm monitoring for rapid emergency response. Don't rely on neighbours to call the police as they may not always be around. Enjoy real peace of mind security knowing that our professional security monitoring partners are always on the watch, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Only professional security monitoring can guarantee that police will be alerted when an alarm is triggered. And alarm monitoring does not need to burst your budget.

What is Monitoring

A burglar alarm system triggers a loud siren to attract attention when it detects an intrusion. How effective it is depends on whether the response of people in its vicinity. Unfortunately we cannot always depend on our neighbours who may not be around or who may ignore the alarm, thinking it is another false alarm. To make the system fully effective, it is good to link the system via the telephone line to a Central Alarm Monitoring Station.

We work with Chubb Security, a company founded since 1818 and is committed to delivering exceptional security services at affordable prices. Here at Chubb Central Monitoring Station, its officers works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, diligently monitoring your premises. On an alarm activation, they are trained to respond accordingly and will notify the respective authorities including the police, fire department or our Securevision technician to act on an emergency.

How It Works

Your Security System is connected to your telephone lines and programmed to dial out to the Central Alarm Monitoring Station in the event of an alarm activation.

When an alarm occurs, the security system will send a coded signal to our Central Alarm Monitoring Station where the message is decoded and processed by our state-of-the-art computerized system. Your details and pre-determined instructions will be displayed on a computer screen, where our highly trained dedicated officers will be alerted and take immediate action to alert the relevant authorities.

Why I Need Monitoring

While a standalone security system may scare off some criminals, unfortunately it does not guarantee that this will always happen. Nor can it ensure an emergency response, or make arrangements for someone to check and secure your premises. Only a monitored alarm system can do this.

Police, Insurers and security Specialists all agree that a monitored alarm system that can inform the police of an intrusion is far better than a standalone system. The knowledge that a police patrol car is on the way is obviously reassuring and highly practical as the intruder has less time to cause further loss or damage.

For just a dollar a day, you can enjoy the peace of mind protection that comes with a monitored system. Contact us now.

How to Choose an Alarm System

The decision to implement a Burglar Alarm System in your premises is an excellent one since many studies indicated that a house without an alarm is 3 times more likely to be broken in.  And a cursory check with the police will reveal how strongly they advocate the installation of an alarm system to help deter crime.

Once you have decided to go ahead with one, the next question to ponder may be the scope or extent of protection?  Should you protect every windows and doors on every floor or should you restrict the protection only to the 1st floor or to what is obvious.  Here we strongly recommend that you contact a qualified burglar alarm installer, who would be able to help you audit and assess the risks, and advise the appropriate measures to take.

Factors that a professional will take into consideration include the probable risks, the likelihood of an intrusion and the lifestyle convenience of the end user.  For example, if the end user sleeps with the windows open, it would be difficult for the installer to insist on protecting the window and requiring the user to change his lifestyle and sleep with the windows closed.  He may then have to look at other alternatives of protection.

Once the areas or zones are defined, and the type of sensors determined, you can install either wired or wireless burglar alarm systems.  A wired burglar alarm system is preferable but where it is difficult or inconvenient to run cables, the wireless burglar alarm system can be used.

In locating the wireless burglar alarm system, care must be taken to ensure that there is minimal blockage and as far as practical, to site it in the center of the house.  Where the signals need boosting, a signal repeater or booster can be used.

Which model should you use?  We carry both DSC and GE range of burglar alarm wired and wireless panels, and which model to use is often a question of esthetic, expandability and ease of use.