DIY Security Systems
There is no smarter way to monitor your property than also having a driveway alarm installed at your home. It is normally fixed outside, within detection range from the receiver. It serves as one of the first lines of defense in your home. But how do driveway alarms work, though? This device detects motion and keeps you aware of what is happening outside your home.
Driveway alarms are designed to detect people, animals, and cars. Once the sensor detects movement, it will send a signal to the receiver and alarm you with a sound, notifying you when somebody pulls on your driveway or try to trespass your property. Driveway alarms work best for homeowners with long or small driveways not visible from inside the house.
The Main Components of the Driveway Alarms
To know the two main components of driveway alarms would help you navigate, “How do driveway alarms work?”
One main component is a transmitter, which usually runs on batteries, placed somewhere concealed like the side of the driveway going through the entrance. The other main component is the receiver, which is kept inside your home, plugged into an electrical wall outlet.
Brands and models vary in wide options. A wireless option, for example, would allow you to carry it around. So, every time the transmitter senses a movement, it will send a signal to the receiver, which will notify you by either a sound, a light, or both.
The Main Kinds of Driveway Alarms
To learn the features of driveway alarms would also add your knowledge on “How do driveway alarms work?”
Wireless or Hard-Wired
Both wireless and hard-wired driveway alarms work effectively. It depends on your preference, but this does not mean the one is better than the other..
The Detection Types
Some alarms detect people (and animals), vehicles, and both. Other sensors are designed to ignore small animals under 40 lbs. So, before buying an alarm for your driveway, you need to consider what you need it for. Is it to know when people trespass or to get notified whenever a deer are wandering around your property?
It is also good to consider other special features that come with the driveway alarm before buying one. The latest technology fused in developing the device makes it easy to detect movement from objects or people. These are the following additional features:
Security Zones
Available systems can provide you an option to add more sensors throughout various security zones. They will typically include four or more zones. It means you could use the same receiver in the house to detect motion in other areas of your property.
It is like having expanded security. You can broaden the security features beyond the driveway and include movement at the side of the house, and the backyard.
The receiver can tell you the exact zone or area that movement is happening. Some receivers provide you a separate and distinct tone for every security zone sensor. Other receivers might use different led colors to indicate the zone.
Supervised Wireless Transmitters
This is a great feature that allows you to know when the sensor’s batteries are running low. Supervised transmitters will send two signals to the receiver: one for motion detection and one for low power in batteries with a distinct tone. Without this feature, you won’t know when batteries have drained.
It’s important to determine the minimum transmission distance you will need, which means the distance between the vehicle sensor or transmitter and the indoor receiver. A good system will transmit the signal up to 1,000 feet (304.8 m) in an open area and about 300 feet (91.4 m) through walls.
There are also base systems that can transmit up 500 feet away but under ideal conditions. If your property has not-so-flat terrain or lots of trees between transmitter and receiver, you’d be better off going with the extended range 1/4-mile model. Any trees, hills, or other interference between the transmitter and receiver’s position can reduce the transmission distance you’ll have.
Future Development
The biggest negative that consumers report is the housing for the transmitter isn’t the best quality (thin material, ball joint for aiming is a bit loose). This won’t affect performance but something the manufacturer might want to improve and develop in the future. Some devices may get some false-alarms now and then, so look for a reliable brand that will save you some hassle. Learning on “How do driveway alarms work?” is indeed very easy. Know more about Driveway Alarms.
Conclusion
Now that you know “How do driveway alarms work?” and its other feature, you can have more peace of mind once it’s ready and activated. Safety is the most important advantage of having a driveway alarm. It is a smart precaution in the driveway that could significantly improve your home security. Driveway alarms are perhaps the perfect answer to keep a watchful eye in your driveway or your house premise while you’re inside and outside your home.