By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
CCTV records; an alarm reacts
A camera shows you what happened. A burglar alarm acts while it is happening — a loud siren, lights and an alert on your phone the moment a door is forced or someone moves inside an empty house. Most intruders leave within seconds of a siren starting. That is why alarms remain one of the most effective home security measures, especially for houses left empty during trips.
The parts of a home alarm
- Control panel — the brain; arms and disarms the system and decides when to sound the siren.
- Door and window contacts — magnetic sensors that trigger when an armed door or window opens.
- Motion sensors (PIR) — detect body heat moving inside a room.
- Siren — indoor and outdoor; the outdoor siren with a flashing light also marks the house as protected.
- Keypad, remote fobs or app — to arm and disarm.
- Communicator — sends alerts by mobile network, Wi-Fi or both.
- Optional: glass-break sensors, panic buttons, smoke and gas detectors.
Wired or wireless?
| Wired | Wireless | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Cables to each sensor; best during construction | Quick; minimal drilling |
| Reliability | Very high; no batteries in sensors | High with quality systems; sensor batteries need changing |
| Expansion | Needs new cable runs | Add sensors any time |
| Best for | New builds, large villas | Existing homes, flats, renters |
Avoiding false alarms
- Use pet-immune motion sensors if you have dogs or cats.
- Do not point motion sensors at windows facing the sun, fans or AC vents.
- Use "stay" or "home" mode at night — perimeter doors armed, inside motion sensors off.
- Give each family member their own code or fob, and teach everyone how to disarm.
- Test the system monthly and replace sensor batteries when warned.
Where to put sensors in a typical home
| Location | Sensor |
|---|---|
| Main door and back door | Door contacts |
| Ground-floor and terrace-access windows | Window contacts or glass-break sensors |
| Living room and hallway | Motion sensor covering the route to bedrooms |
| Terrace door | Door contact; motion sensor in the stairwell |
| Master bedroom | Panic button by the bed |
| Outside | Outdoor siren with strobe, visible from the road |
Who responds when it goes off?
An alarm is only as good as the response. Decide who gets the alert — family members, a trusted neighbour, apartment security — and what they do. The alert should reach several people, and the siren should be loud enough to bring neighbours’ attention. In gated communities, linking the alarm to the security cabin gives a faster response.
Intrusion Alarms for Shops and Offices →Alarm plus CCTV
Linking the alarm to your cameras gives you both: when a sensor triggers, your phone shows the alert and you can open the camera to see whether it is an intruder or the cat. Some systems record a clip from the nearest camera automatically. For villas and independent houses, we usually recommend perimeter door contacts plus a few motion sensors, an outdoor siren, and cameras at the entry points.
Burglar alarm installation →Quick answers
Will a burglar alarm work in a power cut?+
Yes. Alarm panels have a backup battery, and mobile-network communicators keep sending alerts even if the internet is down.
Can I control the alarm from my phone?+
Most current systems have an app to arm, disarm and receive alerts from anywhere.
Is an alarm needed if I already have CCTV?+
They do different jobs. CCTV records; an alarm detects and reacts immediately. Together they protect much better than either alone.
Do I need an alarm in an apartment?+
Many apartment owners use door contacts and a motion sensor with alerts to the phone and the security cabin, especially if they travel often.
How long do wireless sensor batteries last?+
Often a year or more depending on the sensor; the panel warns when a battery is low.