What We Mean By “Security System”

November 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Security-American Advisors GroupWhat is a security system?  This may seem like a silly question, but no two security systems professionals will give you identical answers.  Here at Perfect Connections, Inc. we have spent decades defining what a security system is and how it changes people’s lives.  Our team has been providing expert service to Northern and Central New Jersey businesses and homes since 1992.  When it comes to security systems we believe there are key components, when combined, create a comprehensive system that will provide unbeatable protection for your business or home.  Burglar alarms, access control, surveillance systems, and fire alarms are the major umbrella of ingredients for a comprehensive security system solution.  Sounds good, right?  What does it all mean?  By examining how these different security features work together, and how they are applied in different situations, you will gain a better understanding of what a “comprehensive” security system is.

How do you define what a security system is?  Let’s break it down.  According to Dictionary.com, the word “security” can be loosely defined as freedom from care, risk, anxiety, danger, or something that makes you feel safe.  A “system” is described as, “an assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unitary whole.”  Combine the two and you have an assemblage of parts that provide freedom from danger and make you feel safe.  That’s exactly what the end goal of installing a security system is.  Its making you feel safe, knowing you’re protected, and obtaining a peace of mind you can’t get from anything else.

Home Versus Business

While the combination of security features used in commercial and home applications are similar, they are not exactly the same.  Nor should they be, a home is nothing like an office building, scrap yard, manufacturing or healthcare facility.  There are different requirements and fire safety codes and standards  for each, and they are dependent on the state and area you reside or run a business in.  You security systems professional should know which rules apply to your specific situation.  Rules aside, let’s discover the similarities/differences between residential and business security systems.

Access control, burglar alarms, surveillance systems, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are like the bread and butter of a comprehensive security system.  In a residence, access control could mean entering a personal code on a key/touch pad in order to gain entry to your home.  In some cases it could mean using a fingerprint to deactivate a lock.  Door and window sensors can act as another layer of access control.  For example, if someone were to break a window or kick open a door, the sensors would be activated and so would the alarm.  This would help fend off the potential threat and prevent full access to your home.  Depending on your business facility you might have similar features.  A main difference between your home and your business is you likely have employees.  Having employees could mean limiting access to different areas of your building/facility, dependent on an individual’s clearance level.  In this case you might issue swipe cards or key fobs that would communicate with a reader at an entry way.  These types of controls help limit who can enter, and sometimes exit, specific areas of your facility.

Surveillance equipment that is tied into your security system is a great crime deterrent, especially when visible or known to outsiders.  It can help you and the local authorities catch criminals in action.  Having cameras throughout your residence not only helps you feel more protected, but it can provide remote access to your home when you can’t be there.  By using a mobile device and the Alarm.com app, you can communicate with your security cameras from virtually anywhere.  This holds true for commercial applications as well; a major difference being a larger coverage area and camera size.  Don’t worry, the size of a camera is not indicative of its quality- bigger isn’t always better.  Your security systems professional will have better insight as to the type, size, and quantity of cameras to install at your home or business. Having cameras throughout your building/facility will also help decrease the chances of employee theft.

Having the proper fire alarms, carbon monoxide (CO), and smoke detectors in both a residential and business setting is not only a good idea, it’s required by state and local laws/codes.  How does this tie into a comprehensive security solution?  When deciding on features for your security system, you can opt to have fire alarms and CO detectors communicate with your central monitoring panel and your alarm monitoring service.  This helps immediately alert police, fire stations, and ambulance at initial detection, preventing potentially life threating situations.  What good is a CO detector or fire alarm if it’s beeping and no one is around to hear it?  That’s where alarm monitoring services come into play.  Having an alarm monitoring service means you and emergency responders will be notified of disturbances at your home or business, even if you’re not there.

Whether you are considering a residential or business security system for the first time, or want to explore your options, do not hesitate to contact our team at Perfect Connections, Inc..  We have been providing home and business security system solutions to Northern and Central New Jersey for 22 years.  We’re here to help you protect what matters most.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

Image Credit: Image By American Advisors Group-Flickr-Creative Commons

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DIY Security May Not Be Your Best Bet

November 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Experts-Mai LeIn a world where you can find virtually anything on the internet, there are endless “Do It Yourself”-commonly referred to as DIY-solutions for pretty much everything.  This holds true for home security systems.  However, that doesn’t mean you should rush to your computer/mobile device and buy a 4 star rated surveillance camera off Amazon, and start poking holes in your walls.  As with anything on the internet, you end up wading through a sea of options, resources, and opinions; you might start to feel like you’re drowning in information.  Don’t worry you’re not alone.  You’ll likely have a ton of questions like how do you know if you’re making the right choice?  Are the reviews accurate, or paid for by a company?  Am I getting the best deal?  How do I know one product will be compatible with another?  Is this an honest company?  The list goes on and on.

At Perfect Connections, Inc. we’d like to help you avoid the drowning in information effect.  Our team has been providing residential security systems solutions to Northern and Central New Jersey since 1992.  While we believe our customers are capable individuals, we also believe in providing a customized, comprehensive, and clear cut solution to your home security needs that you can’t get through purchasing products piecemeal on the internet.  You know that old adage, “you get what you pay for”?  It’s true, and in some cases you end up getting less.  You can’t expect a few $50 cameras you bought online, and a monitoring app on your phone, to fully safeguard your home and family.  Surveillance cameras and mobile monitoring are only a couple components in an effective home security system.  Think about the other issues you need to be cognizant of like access control, fire and carbon monoxide detection, burglar alarms, and alarm monitoring. What good is an alarm if the local authorities aren’t contacted when it goes off?  Our team of professionals are informed and informative on the products we install, and they understand the importance of a solution tailored specifically to your home.

Hiring A Professional

If you’ve never had experience installing or operating security systems equipment, doesn’t it make sense that you’d want an industry expert to do it?  Hiring a professional alleviates the pressure on you, wasting less of your precious time and money.  An expert will be able to assess potential weak spots in and around your home that you might not pick up on.  The sophistication of your home security system is dependent on professional products and how they are installed.

There are so many pros of having a security company customize and install an alarm system for your home.  For one, they know how and which products will work together, everything from the cameras to the central control panel.  They can hook you up with an alarm monitoring service.  Having a 24/7 monitoring service as part of your system automatically contacts the authorities in case of emergency.  According to Erin Raub for SafeSoundFamily, “This does not happen with a DIY system, which notifies you (and others you put on the notification list), making it your responsibility to decide on the next course of action.”  It’s chaotic enough in the event of an emergency, you don’t want to have to figure out who to contact, or struggle to find your phone.  The convenience of having a fire, burglar, and carbon monoxide alarm/detector that communicates directly with a monitoring service is priceless; it provides a quicker response time which could ultimately save lives and property.

Home automation is a security feature that connects various aspects of your home to the central control panel in your home.  Lighting, temperature control, locks, garage doors, and sometimes appliances can all be controlled either from your control panel or even a mobile device through and app provided by Alarm.com.  You can’t get this type of connection to your home through a DIY system.  Even if you could, you shouldn’t be installing it yourself.  According to Anne Reagan for Advice Porch “To ensure that all sequences are correct, a professional should always complete home automation.”

Think about the future of your home when it comes to security systems.  If you plan on ever putting your house back on the market, having a customized professionally installed security system can actually increase the value of your home.  Like Anne Reagan points out, “…every prospective homeowner wants to live in a safe and secure home.”  That being said, potential buyers aren’t going to want a house with system they have to remove or update themselves, especially if it’s installed improperly or in adequately.

People might think a DIY security system is cheaper because you’re not paying for labor, but in reality you could end up paying more.  If your system fails or becomes completely defunct, it is up to you to replace it out of pocket.  With a professional service you would likely be covered for certain damages and/or malfunctioning equipment under your service contract.  Adding parts or features to your DIY system after the fact will add up, whereas an initial assessment from a professional will provide a more complete result from the get-go.  Any required maintenance, repairs, and updates are your responsibility which will further drain your wallet.

Before jumping online and buying a bunch of equipment, or punching holes in your walls, check out a professional service for your home security needs.  They can guide you through the process from initial assessment to final installation.  If you reside in Northern or Central New Jersey find out what Perfect Connections, Inc. can do for you.  Our team understands the value in a comprehensive home security system catered to your specific needs.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

Image Credit: Image by Mai Le-Flickr-Creative Commons

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Interactive Services

November 13, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Home Automation Image-PC websiteWhen it comes to home security systems, you may have heard the phrase “interactive services.”  You may have even heard the terms “home automation,” “connected home,” and “smart house.”  What do they all mean, and how are they related to home security?  They’re meanings are essentially the same, and in relation to security, they describe the ability to remotely interact with, and access, devices in your home by means of a mobile device or computer.  If you have a comprehensive home security system, you likely have cameras, motion detectors, door and window sensors, fire and carbon monoxide detectors that communicate with a central control panel located in your home.  Being able to connect and interact with these security features from a remote location is beneficial for a multitude of reasons.  Cameras and motion detectors aren’t the only devices you can access from afar.  Imagine being able to adjust the temperature in your home before you get there, or turning lights on and off, even opening or closing your garage door.  In partnering with Alarm.com, Perfect Connections, Inc. has been providing these interactive service options to homes in Central and Northern New Jersey for years.  Our team of licensed professionals can help you customize a security system that will connect you to the inner, and sometimes outer, workings of your home.

How Does It Work?

First, you have a home security system installed with all of the sensors, cameras, and detectors that you and your security systems specialist customized.  In order to access the full functions of your remote services you must have an interactive service plan with a company like Alarm.com.  After that, you simply download their app on your tablet, smartphone, computer, or other mobile device, and you’ll have total home control at the tips of your fingers.

There are basically two ways a home can become “connected.”  Wireless or hardwired.  The trends of our progressive society tend to make everything more technological, therefore, many security systems are being installed wirelessly with cellular backup.  This eliminates the need to cut holes in walls and have dangling or exposed wires.  Wireless technology is particularly favorable if you own an older home where breaking open walls isn’t an option.  The same technology that works for our cellphones and Bluetooth devices can now be implemented in the home.  More and more homeowners are leaving landlines in the past and switching to cellular devices anyway, making the connected home a smoother integration.  A hardwired system does required cabling, however, it has been in use for a longer period of time, and proven to work.  Some home automation systems use a combination of both wireless and hardwired technologies. To determine what type of system is right for your home, hiring a professional to perform a full assessment is your best bet.

What Are The Capabilities?

Home Automation-from our websiteDepending on how many, and what kind of devices are connected to your system, your operating choices are seemingly endless.  By using the mobile app, you can gain access to the security cameras inside and outside your home to see what is happening throughout the day.  Certain motion detectors can be set up to send you snap shots of specific areas and activity in your home.  Your system can be set up to notify you when you kids arrive home from school, if you’re not able to be there.  The ability to adjust your thermostat and turn lights on and off is a common feature.  Check-in on loved ones and/or pets throughout the day.  Having interactive services as part of your comprehensive security system will alert local authorities to any disturbances at your home while simultaneously alerting you on your mobile device.

Why Is It Beneficial?

Controlling and accessing various devices in your or a loved one’s home is advantageous for a multitude of reasons.  One of the most obvious benefits is that it provides peace of mind on a constant basis, knowing you’ll instantly be notified of what matters most to you.  Being able to remotely adjust your thermostat and turn lights on and off will lower your utilities bill and inadvertently help you waste less energy.  Remote access is extremely convenient, you have control in the palm of your hand at all times, as long as your device is charged.  Having remote capabilities will save you time by not having to rush home last minute to adjust appliances or unlock doors for pet sitters, family members, or scheduled visitors.  With services provided by Alarm.com alerts and access don’t have to stop even when your system is unarmed.  The functions of your home become more efficient.

Utilizing a connected home system is a great way to help your loved ones maintain their independence, but also ensure their safety.  Specific features allow you to make sure a family member is moving throughout the day, not leaving potentially dangerous appliances on, and you can activate or deactivate their alarm system for them if they forget.  Maybe a family member uses an emergency response pendant (like Life Alert) which requires them to take action.  But what if they can’t?  Services provided by Alarm.com simplify their life and yours by not requiring personal action in case of an emergency.  It’s a non-invasive approach to protect your family.

Whether you’re considering the Connected Home for the first time or it has been on your to do list for a while, don’t hesitate, contact the security professionals at Perfect Connections, Inc. for an in home assessment.  Our team knows the safety of your home is paramount in the protection of your family.  We have been providing service to Northern and Central New Jersey for decades, so you can be confident in our security knowledge and expertise.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

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When a Lock & Key Doesn’t Cut It

October 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Broken door jamb-Tim SamoffThe world is an exciting, adventure-filled environment we all share. Even with all of the amazing opportunities it has to offer, the sad fact remains that there are inevitable and unavoidable dangers. We would all like to think our homes are impervious fortresses of safety, when in reality life is unpredictable, and most are unaware or don’t want to believe they are vulnerable in their own home. However, you can take preventative measures to significantly decrease your chances of disaster. Our homes are where our lives happen, what better reason to protect them? By installing a comprehensive custom security system, you would not only be protecting the physical structure of your home, but most importantly the welfare of your family. No one understands this better than our team of experts at Perfect Connections, Inc., a trusted security systems company that has serviced homes locally in Central and Northern New Jersey for decades.

Maybe you’ve considered a security system in the past, but thought, “my neighborhood is safe, nothing bad would or could ever happen here.” Then the unthinkable happens, your neighbor’s home is broken into while they are at work; the intruder stealing most, if not all, of their irreplaceable valuables. Your neighbor didn’t have a security system and the perpetrator was able to get in through an open window on their back porch. Sometimes that’s all it takes, you can lock your doors, but if a criminal wants in and you are unprotected, they will most likely find a way. According to Alarm.org, in 2012 there were an estimated 2,103,787 burglaries across the United States, and “Homes without alarm systems are 3 times more likely to be burglarized than those with an alarm system.” Don’t fall victim to false pretenses of perceived safety. Take initiative to safeguard what matters most.

As a homeowner, it’s not just burglaries and break-ins that are cause for concern, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning are unpredictable occurrences that threaten home and family safety. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) in 2013 nationally fire departments responded to a fire every 25 seconds, and 80,100 incidents of non-fire related carbon monoxide detection in 2010. To help avoid something as catastrophic as a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, it is imperative that the proper warning systems are part of your home security system. Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms will help prevent irreparable damage and loss.

A comprehensive custom security system will not only help prevent break-ins and fire damage, but protect and improve the functionality of your home and family. Today’s technological advancements have significantly enhanced the capabilities of home security systems. Many systems can be controlled and monitored remotely from the convenience of your smartphone or mobile device. In fact, here at Perfect Connections, Inc. we work with interactive services like Alarm.com to provide seamless and convenient home automation. Industry manufacturers and engineers have come a long way from the now antiquated door shaker security measures that followed the end of World War I. The door shakers were a posse of watchmen that would travel door to door giving each one a jiggle to make sure they were locked. Imagine leaving the safety of your home and family up to a door shaker nowadays? Whether you are in the midst of new home construction or concerned about your current residence, consider what security measures can and should be implemented.

When deciding between security systems companies, remember no two security systems are the same, as they shouldn’t be. They should be customized to fit the needs of an individual. If you hire a company that insists on using the same system they’ve used everywhere else, you might be getting duped. Not everyone has the same needs, and every home is different, therefore the security necessities between homes are going to vary greatly. Your security systems provider and installers should already know this, and they should be able to provide comprehensive solutions to your homes’ vulnerabilities. As a customer be sure to do your research. Personal referrals are helpful and online reviews can sometimes help weed out the non-experts. Once you’ve narrowed your search you’ll want to have the company you choose perform a security assessment. The assessment will show you what you’re lacking and how to better equip your home.

Features & Benefits of a Home Security System

Combining smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with motion detectors, surveillance, window and door sensors, energy management, and burglar alarms will create a more cohesive system, and put your mind at ease. With motion detectors you can be alerted when someone, or something, is moving in a particular room, or when doors and windows are being opened and closed. Motion detectors can even be set up to communicate with the security cameras in your home to catch a glimpse of what is moving. For all of the animal lovers, pet immune motion detectors are available helping to avoid false alarms from your furry friends.Cat and dog-Tim Dorr

While motion detectors pick up what is going on inside your home, window and door sensors will help provide perimeter protection, helping warn you before intruders are physically inside your home. Both sensors/detectors can trip your alarm system giving you enough time to get somewhere safe and/or alert the authorities, while simultaneously driving the intruder away. The benefits of an energy conscious system is that its’ cost effective and less wasteful. Being able to manage your home climate can save you from a sky-high utilities bill, especially in extreme weather conditions.

One of the best ways to keep track and understand what is happening in yours or a loved one’s home is surveillance. By installing home security cameras you have the capability to record and monitor internal and external activity. Cameras are a great way to deter potential intruders or vandals and keep track of who is coming and going. Recording and monitoring services can be a helpful resource in tracking down a suspect in the event of a successful break-in. Surveillance will provide peace of mind that can’t be obtained by an alarm system alone.

The Connected Home

Now that you have your custom security system installed and you fully grasp its functions,wouldn’t it be convenient to see and control what is happening while you’re away? With the Connected Home-Home Automation and integrated security systems now you can. In today’s high-tech society many security systems now have remote access capabilities. Maybe you’re at work and your kids are expected home before you, with remote access via your smartphone, tablet, or mobile device, you can be notified of their safe arrival with a snapshot or video clip. Perhaps you forgot to close your garage door before leaving for vacation. No worries, with the tap of your mobile device, it’s easily closed. Maybe you’re concerned for the well being of a loved one living on their own, but you don’t want to hinder their independence, problem solved. With a mobile app like the one offered by Alarm.com you can check on your family member’s activity without being intrusive. You can even control the temperature of your home from Home Automation-from our websiteafar. Imagine your driving home from a long weekend mid-winter and you had set the temperature somewhere in the 50’s in an effort to conserve energy; mid drive you can access and change your home climate to avoid the bone-chilling wait time it would take to warm the house. This type of technology is not only convenient but continuously evolving. Including home automation as in integral part of your security system makes life easier and with improving technologies it’s bound to only get better.

See what Perfect Connections, Inc. can do to help protect your home and family. We have been securing homes since 1992. Our team can provide a personalized solution to help put your mind at ease.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

Image Credits: Image #1 by Tim Samoff-Filckr-Creative Commons, Image #2 by Tim Dorr-Flickr-Creative Commons

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What’s The Deal With False Alarms

January 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Through the years, people have mentioned to me that they are reluctant to get an alarm system because they are afraid of false alarms. With today’s modern alarm systems, for the most part those fears are a thing of the past.

There are two main categories of false alarms: equipment failure and user error.  Progress has been made in both areas. First let’s discuss advances in equipment and techniques used for installation.

In the beginning of monitored alarm systems, they simply reported that an incident was taking place with no way to verify if an alarm was actually taking place or if it was simply a mistake. Today alarm systems communicate to the central station and then the central station calls the premises to verify the alarm. When monitoring is set up a password is established.  The central station calls, asks if everything is OK and asks for the password.  If the proper password is given, that’s where it ends.  No authorities are notified.  Some localities have added an additional step, called advanced verification.  That is, if no one answers the first phone number, the central station calls a second phone number for verification.  If no answer, then the authorities are dispatched. Often the second phone number is somebodies cell phone who would know if there is supposed to be activity at the premises or not. This has helped with false alarms.

Still in its infancy, video verification has promise in cutting down on the number of false alarms as well. Basically a motion detector with a camera, if the alarm is tripped, the camera takes 2 or 3 still images and transmits them to the monitoring center.  The operator can then determine whether it is a legitimate alarm or not.

Other advances in equipment have helped dramatically as well.  Motion detectors now have microprocessors built into them to analyze what they are seeing.  This eliminates alarms caused by dust and bugs.  Dual technology motion detectors require two sensors to see the same alarm condition before reporting an alarm.  Motion detectors have come a long way but can still be fooled by Mylar balloons or being installed improperly. That’s where professional installation comes in.  More on that later.

Other devices have improved as well.  Glass break detectors are also microprocessor controlled.  In past years, foil used to be attached to windows and required quite a bit of maintenance to remain in good working order. The new glass break detectors ignore everything except the frequency of glass they are designed to detect. Even switches for doors and windows have improved.  Their reliability has improved by better design, manufacturing process, and a larger selection.  Switches are now available for virtually every possible application.

Professional installation by licensed alarm companies has led to a significant decrease in the number of false alarms.  Proper installation techniques coupled with knowledge of the right equipment available for the application at hand, makes a substantial difference.  Knowing where a motion detector should or shouldn’t be mounted can be the difference between having false alarms or not.  Some devices can work reliably below 32 degrees, others cannot.  That knowledge shouldn’t be discounted. Some detectors should have all their holes plugged so nothing can get in.  Installation directions for each unit should be followed.

The proper installation of switches (contacts) in doors and windows is also important.  Care should be taken that the switch and magnet line up properly in 20 degree, as well as 95 degree temperatures. Wood doors also shrink and expand, when installing contacts that should be taken into account.  Metal doors are also a variable that should be dealt with properly.

Smoke detectors and heat detectors also should be installed properly.  They have different applications and are not interchangeable.  Smoke detectors, in particular, if not properly installed can false alarm. It is vital that all construction and fire codes, as well as manufacturer’s recommendations are followed. Smokes Alarms, as opposed to Smoke Detectors, must be replaced after 10 years.  Carbon Monoxide detectors also have a life expectancy which should be adhered to.

In the past “swingers” were a big cause of false alarms.  Simply put, if a switch failed, it would “swing” causing multiple alarms when no threat was present. There was no mechanism to stop this and it wasn’t unusual for multiple alarms to be transmitted to the central station causing multiple police dispatches. To eliminate this problem, the alarm system will stop transmitting that devices signals after a certain number of activations, often 2.  This can save many false alarms during a long armed period.

The vast majority of false alarms are user caused. Proper education from your alarm company can help eliminate this cause. You should be educated on the proper operation of the system, how to arm and disarm as well as which arming mode to use when.  The other thing you should know is what to do when you set the alarm off by mistake. You can stop a false dispatch. Everybody who operates the alarm system should be properly trained in its operation and given a central station code to stop the dispatch in the event of a mistake.

One option that is available that we don’t recommend is the dialer delay. The control panel simply waits 30 seconds to 5 minutes before contacting the central station. If the proper code is entered within that time, the alarm panel never dials out. We think the panel should communicate every time an alarm is detected, and then with proper education and a little care, a false dispatch can be averted.

User operation of alarm systems has become easier and more intuitive. If you are staying home, alarm systems will automatically default to stay mode (no motion detectors active). This eliminates you walking in front of a motion detector and tripping the alarm. Alarm systems also beep while arming in away mode and when you enter after the system was armed.  This is to remind you to leave in a timely fashion and to enter the code when coming home. Entry and exit times are also programmable to give you enough time to comfortably enter and exit the home.

Modern systems have graphic displays that prompt you to enter the right code.  No longer do you have to remember or instruct someone a series of numbers to arm or disarm the system. Now if you want to disarm the systems, the display simply says “Enter Code To Disarm”. To make it even easier, you can use an app on your smart phone to control all system functions.

False alarms are bad and can become expensive. Reducing false alarms comes from a partnership between the alarm company and the user of the alarm.  Proper installation of quality equipment and proper education in the alarm system use is the responsibility of the alarm company. Maintaining the system and making sure that all users are trained is the responsibility of the alarm owner. Maintenance means calling the alarm company to repair the systems if damaged and repairing or replacing defective devices that are causing problems. It also means informing the alarm company if any phone numbers for verification or notification change. And remember your password.

Reducing and eliminating false alarms is important and by following simple steps, can be accomplished. Fear of false alarms should not stop you from protecting your home, family or business with a modern security system.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

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Battery Back Up

January 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment

When you have an alarm system installed, you should make sure that it has 24 hour battery backup. Simply put, if the power goes out for any reason, your system will continue to operate without interruption for 24 hours.

The control panel needs a battery.  The biggest determining factor on the size of battery required is what the power draw of all the devices that the control panel powers use.  These are measured in amp hours and the total tells you how much power per hour is used and you multiply it by twenty four.  You also have to factor in the siren being active for a set period of time. This calculation will tell you what size battery you need. You cannot put too large a battery in the control panel because the charging circuit will not be able to charge the battery properly.  Most control panel batteries are 4 to 7 amp hours.

Every other device in your system that has a power supply should also have a battery backup.  If you have remote power for additional devices, that battery should be properly sized as well.  Cellular communicators should also have a backup battery matched to work for 24 hours as well.

Most homes now have phone service provided by their cable company, or some sort of Voice Over IP Service.  VOIP will be a topic for an upcoming post but for today here is the important part – most modems do not have a battery backup built into them and shut down when there is no power. If there is a battery built in, it is only calculated to work for 8 hours. This renders your security system unable to communicate in the case of any emergency unless you have a cellular communicator attached to the security system. You should consider buying a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) and plugging your modem into it.  This will give you some protection during power failures.

As batteries age, their efficiency deteriorates and they cannot hold their charge as long.  That is why it is important to change your backup batteries every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if you receive indications that the battery is low.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

Click here for us to contact you.

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What Every Snowbird Should Know To Protect Their Home And Property

January 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

If you are lucky enough to leave your home up here in the Northeast for extended periods of time and stay in warmer climes, there are some things that you should do to make sure you don’t return to a disaster.

First and foremost you should have a burglar alarm installed to protect your home from burglars while you are gone.  If your house is empty for prolonged periods, you open yourself up to another unwelcome possibility – the squatter.  Simply, somebody who found out you are not around and takes the opportunity to stay at your home.  They will not take as good care of it as you do.

Second, add smoke detectors to your alarm system.  If a fire breaks out in your absence, the fire department will respond and handle the situation.  You will no longer have to rely on your neighbors seeing smoke or flames to call the fire department.

Third, add low temperature detection.  You turn your heat down, probably to around 50 degree when you are gone.  If your heater fails, and  If the temperatures drop and stays below freezing, it will not take long for the temperature in your home to drop.  Your pipes that run in outside walls and through the garage are particularly prone to freezing quicker.  If these pipe crack you can have potentially huge problems.  A low temperature sensor will alert you if the temperature in your home drops below a certain point.

4th, add water detection sensors.  Water sensors placed near the hot water heater, sump, and low point in the basement will alert you if your have a water problem in your absence.

5th, add opening/closing reports with reporting.  You will be notified via email or test message when your system is armed and disarmed.  You can see if anybody with legitimate access to your home is entering.  You can also know if the person entrusted to check on your home is doing their job.

If you already have a burglar alarm system, smoke detectors, low temperature sensors, and water sensor can all be added.  Opening/Closing reports can be programmed in.

The central station can notify you and anybody you choose if any of the above events occur.

To make it even easier and more convenient, choose an interactive system for more control.  See our recent blog post on interactive systems.

If you live in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, or if you would like us to perform a Home Safety and Security Audit, absolutely free, please call 800-369-3962 or simply click the link below.

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Monitoring Your Alarm System and Interactive Services

January 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Central Station Monitoring, Interactive Service, Cellular Back Up – What Are They and How Much?

In the dark ages, the early 70’s, most alarm systems, when tripped, rang a bell outside the house.  That was it.  The hope was that the noise would scare away the intruder and your neighbors would call the police.  Then came the advent of tape dialers.  Someone realized that it would be terrific that if the alarm tripped, the police would be notified automatically.  A tape recorder was attached to the alarm system and announced to the police department when they answered the phone that there was a burglary in progress.  A problem developed, however.  There was no way to verify that there was an actual alarm or if the user simply forgot to disarm the system.  You also couldn’t tell what part of the house the alarm was coming from.  You simply knew there was an intruder.

Then came digital dialers and Central Station Monitoring.  A device was added to the alarm and automatically dialed an alarm receiver.  By using account numbers, you could tell where the alarm was coming from.  As alarms came in they were printed on paper.  An operator would see the account # and pull the corresponding card from a file, a file which contained all the subscribers’ information.  They would then call the premises requesting a passcode, and if no passcode was given, dispatch the police department. The central station was born and the price of central station monitoring became a normal part of an alarm system.

Over the years technology changed and central stations became highly computerized.  Rather than printing out the account information, the information interacted with a computer system and the information popped up on a central station operators’ screen.

While technology within the central station was rapidly progressing, the way the information was transmitted there remained the same, over the telephone lines.  This method remained popular for primary transmission for years, even while cellular was booming for everyday use. Initially the alarm industry used cellular as a backup.  It was a way to get the signal to the central station when the phone lines were cut. Voice Over IP (VOIP) phone service was also establishing itself as a cheaper alternative to copper phone lines.  Though they worked for voice communications, transmitting data from alarm systems was problematic and you couldn’t be confident that the signal would get through.  As phone lines were getting less reliable for alarm communication, cellular service was improving and going from analog to digital and data transmission was going from 1X to 2G, 3G and now 4GLTE.  It has gotten to the point that in many areas cellular is more reliable than phone lines. This cellular service is provided by a third company, not the central station and not your local alarm company.  Additional monthly charges were added to the price of the central station monitoring to cover cellular transmission.

About 10 years ago, interactive control of your alarm system was being born.  Primitive by today’s standards, text messages would be sent to your alarm to arm or disarm the system. One of the early cellular back up providers, alarm.com was an early pioneer in this field.  This service was possible because the cellular connection was always on.  You didn’t have to wait for a dial tone and then dial a number.  Your alarm would simply connect via cellular to a computer center.  That computer center would process the signal, and if it were a genuine alarm, not a system command, forward that signal to the central station.

Fast forward to today. Americans are cancelling phone lines by the millions, and cellular is the most popular communication method. Many alarm systems sold today use cellular as their only communication path. Interactive service are booming. Interactive services allow you to communicate with your alarm system from anywhere with an internet connection. Not only can you arm/disarm your system, you can see if any windows or doors were left open.  You can also check history and see when somebody entered your house. You can also be notified via email or text if events that you select took place.  For example, if somebody opened a liquor cabinet when you weren’t home, you could receive a text message alerting you of this event. It goes even further.  By combining your alarm with home automation technology, like Z Wave, you can control lights, thermostats, locks, garage doors and more from anywhere in the world. You can also add IP video cameras that send images that are processed by the same company and tie them into your account. You can receive a text message or email with the video clip of someone entering your home. You can also log on and see your home in real time, 24 hours a day. They are also recording clips into the cloud, for your review at a later time. These cameras do not communicate via cellular, but rather over the internet.  Companies like alarm.com process the signal and combine them to your account with the alarm services.  To you it is seamless.

As I mentioned, these services are available for you to use anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection. You can view your account on a computer, smart phone or tablet. Alarm.com is system agnostic, viewable on any brand device.

Now for the price. First off, there is usually a commitment required on your part of several years.  Contracts run from 3 to 5 years, ours is 3. Standard Central Station Monitoring, using phone lines, runs $25 to $35 per month.  We charge $25. Cellular alarm transmission (either as a primary source or as a backup) adds $15 to $20 to the bill.  We charge $15. Interactive service adds $5 to the cellular charge. If you add video, expect to pay $5 or more (depending on how much storage you need).

So here are our charges added up: Standard Central Station Monitoring is $25 per month.  Central Station Monitoring and Cellular Service (Primary or Backup) is $40 per month. Central Station Monitoring and Interactive Service (with cellular) is $45 per month.

Hope this helps when comparing.

If you are in the central or north New Jersey area and would like further information, please give us a call at 800-369-3962.

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