Surveillance

CCTV stands for closed circuit television. It uses cameras throughout your home that sends a signal to your phone or another screen. You can then view and record the footage for later use. When people discuss CCTV home security systems, they are referring to the cameras, wiring, screens, data storage and any CCTV system management hubs.

CCTV has been a common fixture in shops, pubs, car parks and other public places for years. Now, thanks to easier installation and falling prices, it’s becoming an increasingly popular choice for security-conscious homeowners.

You can either go for a full CCTV system that usually requires professional installation and infrastructure to run it. Or you can go for the typically cheaper option of a wireless security camera that is operated by an app on your smartphone.

CCTV is just one line of defense against crime, and works best when combined with other measures, such as a burglar alarm, door and window locks, gravel around your property, and security lights.

There are a variety of different home alarms and surveillance systems available today. From the cheap DIY systems to fully programmable smart alarms you can operate from your phone.

This system might be cheaper than a custom installation by professionals, but you get what you pay for.

If you want guaranteed protection, the DIY option has two HUGE pitfalls…

Unlike a professional installation, DIY alarms installed by unqualified persons are prone to faults, including excessive tripping, sensor mismatch and false alarms.

The equipment is not industry approved and is therefore deemed unreliable by the Police and insurers. How can a cheap, unapproved alarm protect your home properly? This unreliability means that automatic police response is not an option for your DIY alarm.

A wired alarm requires small wire cables between the control panel and the sensors in each room. If you have fittings which hide the wires, this type of system can work.

It is the next step up in cost and complexity from a DIY system. However, if you can’t hide the wires, these systems can be unattractive, making them less popular in comparison to the….

The brilliance of a wireless alarm system is that you need only install and program the controller. Sensors can be easily mounted in any position without unsightly wires running around your house.

The cost of wireless systems is slightly higher than wired systems, however with current technology, these are becoming very affordable. The sensors do need batteries, but with low power output, battery life is typically very long. Wireless alarms will normally have a warning signal which indicates when a battery is getting flat.

Home alarm sensors can be

passive infra-red (PIR) heat sensing,

active infra-red (beam) motion sensing

activated by the breaking of magnetic contact.

Magnetic contact sensors are installed on windows and doors and activate when the contact is broken – when the door or window is opened.

Beam motion sensors activate when the beam of infrared light emitted is obstructed. These suit outside areas since they are directional sensors.

PIR sensors detect changes in infrared radiation in a room, from the heat emitted by live moving targets.

Pets will easily set off a motion or infrared sensor. In these cases, a pet-friendly home alarm is necessary. The alarms operate using highly sensitive PIR sensors. The size of your pet’s heat signature is considered when installing the sensors. These will then only activate if an unusual heat signature is detected i.e. something much bigger than Harry the cat coming through the cat flap!

These alarm systems give you control over which rooms are safeguarded by the alarm, and which rooms are left unactivated so you are free to roam around.

Need to do the housework upstairs? Activate the alarm in the baby’s nursery downstairs while you move around upstairs. Zonal alarms are particularly beneficial at night since you can switch on the alarm in entrance areas, but leave it off in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

A smart alarm gives you complete control of your wireless alarm system wherever you are. Additionally, if you have CCTV installed, you can monitor the footage live from your phone or tablet! Set and disable your alarm on the move and receive live notifications from your smart alarm app from any location with wifi or mobile data access.

Only a professional can definitively answer this question, after they have personally evaluated the layout of your home.

Each home is different, just like every home alarm system. That’s why you will never recieve quotes over the phone.