Wireless home security systems use radio waves to transmit their signals rather than wires. This has two advantages - first, they are easier to install than having to run wires throughout your house and second, there are no wires for a potential intruder to cut to bypass the system.

Wireless home security systems can be monitored or un-monitored. In a monitored system, a signal will be sent to a central monitoring station if the alarm is tripped and there may or may not be an audible alarm. With an un-monitored system an alarm will sound if the system is tripped, but nobody is informed of the alarm.

The "brains" behind a wireless security system is the control panel. This control panel is usually located somewhere out of the way like the basement or in a closet. It receives signals from the magnetic switches and motions sensors throughout the house and analyzes these signals to determine when to sound the alarm.

Magnetic switches are used on doors and windows and are composed of two pieces. There is a switch that gets mounted on the door or window and a magnet that mounts on the window- or door-frame. If the switch moves out of alignment with the magnet, it sets off the alarm.

Motion sensors are normally used in larger rooms or hallways. The use an infrared motion detector to sense movement or in some cases body heat. If they are tripped, a signal gets sent to the control panel which analyzes it to determine if it is a suspicious motion. This way it can filter out movement such as pets that roam freely.

A wireless alarm also includes a keypad that is used to control the system and arm or disarm it. The keypad is normally placed near the main entrance to the house.

Something to keep in mind with a wireless home alarm system is that each of the components is likely powered by battery. These batteries are normally long-life and should last for a number of years before having to be replaced.

They will have to be replaced however, and this is something to consider when choosing your alarm. Will you have to replace them yourself (or pay someone to do it) or is it included in the service contract from the alarm company?

John Lenaghan writes about driveway alarm systems and other related topics on the Home Security Guide website. For more information visit http://www.home-security-guide.com

Home burglar alarms were once only found on houses of the rich & famous. In recent years, however, they are becoming more and more common in the homes of "Joe Average".

Many people choose a simple do-it-yourself security system. These systems can be either wired or wireless and will set off an audible alarm when an intruder breaks in or when they are moving in the house.

There are two types of burglar alarms - open or closed circuit. With an open circuit alarm system the alarm is set off when the circuit is closed. When a door or window is opened, it completes the circuit and sets of the alarm. A closed circuit system works in the opposite way - when a door or windows is opened, it breaks the circuit and sets off the alarm.

Motion sensors are a slightly more sophisticated option. They sense motion within a certain field around the sensor. When motion is sensed, a signal is sent to the control panel which analyzes it to see if it is enough movement to be suspicious.

The sensitivity of these motion sensors can be adjusted to account for things like air movement that might rustle papers or pets walking around the house.

Ideally, it's best to use both magnetic switches and motion sensors in a burglar alarm setup. The switches protect doors and windows and motion sensors make it easier to protect large spaces like halls and large rooms.

Another option that many people use is video cameras. The cameras are mounted in such a way as to "see" strategic areas around the house. The images they pick up are displayed on a monitor inside the house, and may be recorded on videotape.

Most home security companies also provide remote monitoring of their alarm systems. If the alarm is tripped the security company will alert the police or may send its own security personnel to the home.

Four of the most popular types of burglar alarm systems include:

1. Single premise alarm systems

These systems are meant to provide protection against specific things, which include door alarms (to warn you if a door is opened), carbon monoxide alarms, heat/smoke detectors, etc.

2. Local alarm systems

These systems will sound an alarm in case of intrusion, but they are not monitored by an outside company.

3. Telephone dialer alarms

These systems will dial a specific phone number if the alarm is tripped. They may also be able to dial multiple numbers and will generally play a pre-recorded message when the call is answered.

4. Monitored security systems

These are the most effective systems because they are constantly monitored by the alarm company. If the alarm is tripped, a signal is sent to the monitoring station and they can follow up by calling the police or sending their own personnel to the home.

John Lenaghan writes about burglar alarms and other related topics on the Home Security Guide website. For more information visit http://www.home-security-guide.com

The most basic home security alarm systems include a control panel, a keypad, a siren, access monitors and, in the case of monitored systems, an off site control station. These basic features are adequate for simple home protection against burglars but some people may opt for more advanced home security alarm systems that incorporate more advanced features. Home security alarm systems may include a smoke detection system, glass break detectors, panic buttons and motion detectors.

When most people think of a home security alarm system, they think of a burglar alarm system. While it is true that the primary function of a home security alarm system is to protect your home and your possessions from burglars, this is not the only function of home security alarm systems. As the name home security alarm system implies, the system is devised to protect your home. This includes protecting your home from damage due to fires. For this reason, many people have a smoke detection system linked to their home security alarm system. This will sound an alarm and alert the control station if smoke is detected.

Glass break detectors are another advanced feature that some individuals like to include in their home security alarm system. These systems are able to identify the sound of glass breaking and will activate the home security alarm system when this sound is identified. This is helpful because most home security alarm systems include access monitors that determine when doors or windows or opened. This makes your home vulnerable to burglars who break a window rather than opening the window to access the home. Installing glass break detectors in your home security alarm system will minimize this problem.

Panic buttons are another optional feature in a home security alarm system. These are hand held devices that can be placed in strategic locations throughout the house. These panic buttons enable the homeowner to send and immediate message that they are in trouble to the monitoring center. This alarm can be sent silently or can be an audible siren that sounds throughout the house.

Another feature that many individuals elect to incorporate into their home security alarm system is a set of motion detectors. These motion detectors act as a second line of defense in the home security alarm system. If the burglar is able to enter your home without triggering the alarm, the motion detectors will sense that he has entered your home and will trip the alarm, thus sounding the siren and sending a message to the monitoring center if your system is monitored.

Your home security alarm system can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Incorporating some of the more advanced features into your home security alarm system can provide your home with better protection. These home security alarm features can be very valuable in the case where a burglar knows how to work around the confines of a standard home security alarm system.

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