security system and service, Part #2 - Control

 An effective security system is made up of four parts. Those parts are as follows:

1. Deter
2. Control
3. Detect
4. Respond 

2. The Control

The Control consists of the CPU, keypads and other devices. It is the element which the user is most in touch with, literally.

The CPU is the ‘brain’ of an alarm. It can be placed in a metal enclosure, like our ‘skull’. They are normally secured with a lock or screws to keep the lid closed. Some are built into the main keypad. The enclosure type is the most common and most secure. They are normally  placed in closets, mechanical rooms and other unfinished areas. When installed during construction in a home, the most common location is the master bedroom closet. A back-up battery and phone communicator are located in it. The self contained type are best used in homes, (townhomes, apartments, 2 story slabs) where it is difficult to run any wires (normally at least 4 are required with a standard one: ac power, phone, siren and keypad(s).

Click above to watch video demo

There are four major types of  keypad displays available. 1) LED lights 2) Fixed LCD 3) Custom LCD 4) Touch screen. The LED is the most  basic and pretty much out of vogue. The Fixed LCD is more common and been the mainstay for sometime. The custom LCD adds more characters and info  The touch screen has the largest display and most customizable. It is the iPhone of  keypads. Very nice, very versatile. It make things easier, particularly changing codes, checking history reports and custom setups. Thou it makes things easier, it is more complicated and has been known lock up on occasion, so we normally recommend a traditional keypad on site.

 Options often found on keypads include voice (so you can hear the keypad speak where an alarm is, which door opened, confirmation of the status), wireless (if wires cant be run), and expanders (wireless or hardwire). Standard features include panic buttons (for police, fire and medical), door chime, bypass, etc. Popular keypads placement locations are near the garage / house door and master bedroom. Other locations sometime include front door (nice to have the panic buttons there), back / side door for pets, and by walkout basement doors.

Other devices to control an alarm including key fobs,  wireless remotes, touchtone telephones, and more systems allow for remote control via the Internet with iPhone and Blackberry apps.

It is important for the keypads and access is convenient to use so therefore the system get used more frequently. This is a good reason the system should be  laid out properly, and thus handier.

Part 3 will cover the detection element of  a security system.