Everyone has different needs, and everyone's needs change - Thinking ahead, and being prepared for these changes is a good thing when it comes to protecting your family, and personal possessions. A Hybrid security system will allow you to install a hardwired system during construction, and add wireless sensors later, as your needs grow, and change.
The concept of a hybrid security system is nothing new, however the popularity has become stronger over recent years. Home owners realize that the wireless sensors are becoming just as effective as a hardwired sensor, with little work to add at any time. Allowing you to adapt to ever changing needs.
While planning your home security system there are a few key points you should keep in mind. Everyone wants the best system for the money - The best way to do this, is to pre-plan for what makes the most sense Sometimes by placing the proper sensors in the proper locations, you can increase your security, while keeping the overall cost down.
Door / Window Sensors
Door & Window sensors are the most common addition to any security system. These help protect anything that opens and closes - Which is typically the easiest access to a home by an intruder. Placing a contact on all entry doors, and all ground level accessible windows that open is suggested. Placing on sensors non-ground level windows is something that should be considered also, but sometimes not necessary. The best layout will have to be decided by you.
Glass Break Detectors
Glass break detectors work by detecting the sound frequency that is generated from breaking glass. Some also detect a change in pressure in the room at the same time, reducing false alarms. A glass break detector can have up to a 20 foot radius detection range. So, if you have a room with multiple windows, one sensor should protect them all.
The illistration below shows a typical Glass break detector detection range.
Smoke Detectors
You should always use these in conjunction with your state code required smoke detectors. Adding a smoke detector to your security system is a good idea, to quickly dispatch the fire department so you can escape as soon as possible. If there is a fire, a you you can exit and not worry about having to call the fire department because your monitoring company will take care of it. If you are away from home, you will have the same feeling of security, because the home is monitored for fire 24/7.
The illistration below shows the recommended locations for placment of smoke detectors:
Motion Detectors
Motion detectors are the 2nd most popular sensor addition to any home security system. A PIR (Passive Infrared) motion detector, senses the movement of heat across a room. Most PIR motion detectors have a 25' to 45' range at a 90' angle.
If you can imagine a baseball diamond where the motion detector is home plate, this is typically the viewing pattern of a PIR motion detector. The best placement for a motion detector, is in the corner of a room, this way the 90' angle will view directly down both walls, and out the 25' to 45' distance.
Most home security systems have two arming modes - "Home" and "Away". The "Home" arming will arm everything except for interior motion detectors. This will allow you to roam around your home, and not set off the system. However if you arm it for away - it will then arm all sensors.
Avoid pointing any motion detectors towards your main entrances, and directly toward any windows.
The illistration below shows the viewing area of a standard motion detector:
Pet-Immune Motion Sensors
A Pet-immune motion detector - operates the same as any standard motion detector, however they ignore objects that are shorter than a specific height. So, a motion detector may be rated at 80Lbs, however this actually means it will ignore anything that is shorter than 3' tall.
If you have pets that are in the home while you are away, you should be aware that if they crawl on furniture, it may cause a false alarm. You should position your motion detectors accordingly. Also avoid placing motion detectors pointing towards stairs.
The illistration below shows how a motion detector detects humans, and pets.
Water Leak Detection
Too many people know all too well where simply knowing there was a problem sooner could have saved them thousands of dollars. Adding leak detection sensors can help prevent damage before it starts.
Personal Panic Buttons
Personal Panic buttons can be added to any security system (typically wireless) to be pressed at the time of emergency. Popular uses are for elderly, or as holdup buttons in convenience stores. These can be placed under a counter, or worn as a pendant.
Carbon Monoxide & Gas Detection
Most new homes are equipped with carbon monoxide sensors built-in, however adding a couple of these sensors to your security system will alert a monitoring company which will help you make the proper preparations.
Sirens & Strobe
Adding multiple sirens and strobes to a system will help alert people there is a problem, and potentially scare off an intruder more quickly. Contact technical support to see how many your system can halide before adding more that 2 to any system.
Extra Keypads
Most home security systems can support multiples keypads. Adding a keypad can be beneficial if you need multiple points to arm/disarm and view system status.
BroadBand or Phone line Monitoring
NextAlarm is currently the only monitoring station that can monitor your security system through a broadband connection. This is beneficial to people who wish to have a fully monitored alarm system, but use a cell phone only for phone service, have broadband internet, and don't wish to purchase a land line phone just for the security system.
If you have a land line phone, and are planning to keep it, then phone line monitoring will work fine too.
Cellular Backup
Most security systems can support the addition of a universal cellular backup system. These will be used in the case the phone line is cut. These require a monthly service fee.
DSL Filters
Remember, if you have DSL you will need a filter before the alarm phone connection.