Burglar Technology In The Home Essay, Research Paper
Introduction There have been a number of burglaries in the area
in which the Peterson family are living; thus they have become increasingly
interested in Control Technology in their home.? They have contacted me, and my task is to prepare a report,
which advises them upon various alarm systems, also considering fire detection
systems. I am going to provide the Peterson?s with two reports, one
outlining a basic security system for the family, and the other a more advanced
top of the range system. This will give the family the necessary information to
decide which system would suit their needs the most as well as being within
their price range. In the reports I shall inform them in detail what should go
into the system, prices, and the best places to install the various components
in their home. SensorsMany different types of sensors could be used for
various security and fire systems. There are sensors that detect movement, or a
change in light, or temperature. Below is a list of some that could be used.Mercury Tilt Switch ? This is placed inside a device, and
if that device is moved or tilted in any way it causes a blob of mercury to
complete a circuit by touching contacts. This is often used in vending
machines, or machines that contain money or goods that might cause people to
tilt the machine to attempt to get the goods out. In the Peterson?s home this
type of sensor could be used on doors or windows to detect whether they are
opened. Light Sensor ? This is a sensor that can detect a change in
lighting levels. These types of sensors are often used with streetlights, and
detect when it is dark enough for the streetlights to be turned on. This could
also be used for a security light outside the Peterson?s house, which will
switch on when it is dark. Push Sensor ? These sensors create a circuit, which can turn
on a light. These are often used on car or fridge doors, switching a light on
when the door is opened. Temperature Sensor ? A sensor that detects a change in
temperature, they are often used to within central heating systems to help in
keeping the temperature of a house constant.?
This could be used to detect a fire, as there will be a rise of temperature
in the event of a fire.Sound Sensor ? Used to record the level of sound, usually
from places where loud music is being played.Proximity Sensor? -
These sensors are made in two halves, and a signal is activated if the two
halves are moved away from one another. They are often seen on windows. The
Peterson?s could use sensors like these to activate a signal if their windows
are opened when the alarm is set, as this could indicate somebody trying to get
in. ? Basic Security
System This basic security system is designed for somebody
that simply wants and needs a basic level of protection, and/or may be unable
to afford a costly top of the range system. The equipment which is to be included in the basic
security system is as follows: Basic control panel (1) The basic control panel more or less operates the whole
system. Usually it would be about the size of an A4 piece of paper, and 2
inches thick. It would need to have a keypad, which would allow a unique PIN to
be set so that the alarm system can be switched on and off. It will need to be
connected to the sensors and the bell box so that the sensors could send
signals when movement was detected, and so that it could send signals to the
bell box to activate the alarm. This may result in a lot of unsightly wiring
around the house, which could cause problems. There would only need to be one of these in the house
because only one control panel is needed per system. This would be placed in
the cupboard under the stairs, so that the alarm system could be accessed easily
so it can be switched on and off, as it is fairly close to both the entrance
and exits of the house. It also will be hidden from view in the cupboard, so it
will not clutter up any other area of the house or be an eye sore. Infra red movement sensor (4) These sensors will detect movement in a room when the alarm
system is on. They send an infrared beam into the room and when this beam is
broken a signal will be sent along a wire to the control panel, which in turn
will set off an alarm. They should be placed in key areas, which could be
containing important things that the family wants to protect, or leading into
areas containing important items. I have decided to place them in 4 rooms, but
not areas that the main doors lead into the house, as somebody could come into
the house and not have chance to deactivate the alarm system before the alarm
is set off. They should be placed away from windows so that they cannot detect
movement outside the house and set off the alarm when there isn?t an intruder. The
areas I am going to place these in are the living room, the dining room, the
upstairs landing and the hall. I only placed one upstairs because it is more
likely any intruders would enter via a door or window in the lower part of the
house, since climbing in through an upstairs window takes longer, and would
mean that they would be very visible and more likely to get caught. The PIR on
the landing upstairs will immediately detect them should they venture upstairs.
If a family have pets, it is possible that they could
actually set off the alarm by the PIRs detecting their movement, so something
named a pet guard is available. This only sends the infrared beams above a
certain height, so that they cannot detect animals fairly low on the floor. Alarm box (Self-actuating sounder) (1) It is essential that an alarm box be placed in the system,
as otherwise there will be no alert to possible break-ins. This will also have
a flashing light, which will allow it to be seen by people also. If, for
example, one of the movement sensors detects a movement inside the house, it
will send a signal to the control panel, which will send a signal to the alarm
box meaning that the house alarm will be set off. There only needs to be one, as two might create more noise
and attract more attention, but it is unnecessary. This will be placed outside
on the front of the roof, above the two top windows of the house. This is
because it will then be more likely to be heard by more people in the area when
it is activated, and even when the alarm stops the flashing light will be very
easily visible. Magnetic door contact (2) When a door is either opened or closed, this creates a
circuit that will set an alarm off. These would be useful at night so that the
family would know when anybody was entering the house, or if an intruder
somehow managed to obtain a house key then this would alert the family/people
in the area that somebody was entering the house that shouldn?t be. I am going to place these on the two main doors which lead
into the house, as they would be no use on any doors inside the house since
that would mean that the intruder was already in the house.Stand by battery This will be needed in case of a power cut, as if there
wasn?t a stand by battery then the alarm system would be rendered useless in
the event of a power cut since it does depend upon the house having power. If
the is a power cut then the stand by battery will be activated meaning that the
house will still be protected. This shall be kept in the small cupboard under
the stairs, along with the control box, as then it will be out of the way but
still accessible if need be. Smoke detector (2) These will detect any smoke in the house and activate an
alarm. Smoke alarms are fairly small, and they are usually placed on the
ceiling, since smoke rises. Being placed on the ceiling they are fairly
discreet and unnoticeable. I am going to place them on the landing, and in the hall. On
the landing because smoke rises, and also if I just placed one downstairs and a
fire begins upstairs then the fire would not be detected. In the hall so that
fires downstairs can be detected. I chose the hall because it is near enough to
the kitchen that a serious fire beginning in there could be detected, but far
enough away that simply cooking dinner would not set off an alarm.The inputs and outputs of the equipment in the system,
including pictures System Equipment Input To Equipment Output To Equipment Picture Control
Panel Signals
from sensors or button presses Activation/deactivation
of alarm system, signals sent to alarm box Movement
Sensor Movement Signal
to control box Alarm Box Signal
from control box Activation
or deactivation of siren Magnetic
Door Contact Door
opens which creates a circuit Signal
to control box which activates siren Stand By
Battery Power
cut Activates
stand by battery so system can continue running Smoke
Detector Smoke Alarm Advantages
of the basic system·
The system will be easy to set up, and inexpensive,
and also will protect the family.·
As well as being easy to set up, the system is fairly simple
for the family to learn how to use, as well as protecting them to a basic level
of security that would be enough for most families.·
People will be alerted to both fire and break-ins in the
house, and the alarm will definitely deter burglars if they see the box at the
front of the house. Also in the event of a burglary, there?s more chance of it
being stopped due to the sirens.·
The back up battery protects the system against power cuts,
so the system will always be working and protecting even in events such as
power cuts.·
The magnetic door contacts mean that if an intruder managed
to obtain a house key, then the alarm system would still go off if they did not
know how to deactivate it.·
Smoke detectors pick up and alert people to any smoke in the
house, as smoke means fire. This is an advantage over having no smoke
detectors; as if a fire began whilst the family were sleeping then they would
be alerted to it hopefully before it got out of hand.·
Since the family would start with a basic system, this could
always be upgraded to a more advanced system, which would protect the family to
a higher level if they felt it was necessary. Disadvantages of the basic system ·
The system is a basic system, which means that it is more
likely that burglars could get past the system than with a more hi-tech
security system.·
Having a pet guard on the PIR detectors means that if an
intruder were to crawl across the room at the height of an animal then they
would not be detected by the PIRs and the alarm would not go off.·
The smoke alarm must be tested regularly to ensure that
batteries are still working. If this is not done, and the batteries run out
then the families smoke alarm is useless, and fires would not be detected.·
After the alarm has been set off once then the system is
deactivated. This means that if a burglar came back to attempt to enter the
house again the alarm wouldn?t go off and the house could be burgled.·
It is likely that a lot of wires would need to be lain
around the house for the system to work, although some of these could be hidden
some of them probably wouldn?t be able to be hidden, and these could be
unsightly.·
The alarm system needs to be activated by different codes,
which could be difficult for the family to remember, and if they forget them
then they could set off the alarm trying to deactivate the system, or not be
able to activate the system at all.·
Most of the equipment in the system doesn?t actually prevent
fire/break-ins, it just alerts people to them whilst/after they happen.
Therefore theft could still happen even with the alarm system installed. The
smoke alarm also does nothing whatsoever to prevent fire.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???????????????????????????Considerations of installing the
basic systemBelow is a list of all the things that the family should
consider before deciding to install the basic security system.·
Timing to switch the alarm off – When the family enter or exit
the house, they don?t want the alarm to go off before they have change to
deactivate the system, or to get out the back door. Therefore setting entry and
exit times is a good idea, so that the alarm doesn?t set for say 30 seconds
after it is activated, and go off for 30 seconds after somebody entering the
house. This will give them time to set or unset the system.·
Sensitivity of sensors ? If the sensors are highly
sensitive, it may mean that they do pick up things outside, or movements of for
example curtains in a room due to the window being open. To combat this it
needs to be made sure that the sensor is not set up pointing out of the window,
and the family should try to remember to close windows of the rooms that
sensors are in before leaving the house. ·
Activating and deactivating the system ? This can be done
either through a password, a code, or a key. The family need to think about
which would be easiest for them. A key might seem the easiest, but each member
of the family would need one, and they could also be lost or taken by somebody
else. Passwords and codes may also be easy to forget which would mean that the
system couldn?t be used.·
Cost ? The family need to make sure that they can afford the
initial costs for the system, as it will cost nothing to very little once it is
installed. They should plan to purchase a system that will be the best for
them, and within their price range.·
Trial runs – All of the equipment should be tested and
checked to make sure that it works, as if it didn?t it would be useless. Advanced Security SystemThe advanced security system is designed for a family
that need a large amount of protection and want a top of the range system. The
amount that could be spent on this type of system is almost unlimited. Below
are my suggestions for a top of the range security and fire system for the
Peterson family.Discreet control panel (1) A discreet control panel is like the basic control panel,
in that it is the ?brain? of the entire system, controlling everything, and it
is through this that the family activate and deactivate the system. A discreet
control panel is smaller, and it doesn?t have a keypad, instead using remote
keypads, which I shall explain later, controls the system. Since it doesn?t
have a keypad there isn?t any reason for the family to use it apart from
maintenance, which means that it can be put away somewhere such as the loft, if
they do not wish for it to be seen. It will be activated by signals sent to it by the remote
keypads, PIR detectors, panic buttons and any other system components connected
to it by wires. These will either cause it to activate/deactivate the system,
or send a signal to the bellbox to produce a siren. I am going to place this in the cupboard under the stairs,
as I did with the control panel for the basic system, simply because I feel
that this is the best place for it. It will be convenient and easy for the
installation workers to get to, to install the control panel, and should it
break or need servicing it?s also easy to get to. It will also need to be
connected to the bellbox, PIR sensors, remote keypads etc so that the system
works, so there may be wiring around the house, but I feel that placing it here
will minimize the wiring, as if it was placed in the attic the wiring would be
more obvious exiting the attic and difficult to route downstairs.Remote keypad (3) A remote keypad is instead of a keypad on the control
panel, making it smaller and more discreet. They are about the same size as a
standard calculator. It will be used mostly to activate and to deactivate the
alarm system, as it will send signals to the control panel upon buttons
presses, which will cause the main control panel to either activate or
deactivate the system, or to send a signal to the bellbox to sound an alarm if
the wrong code is entered. The keypad is attached to the control panel by a
cable, which can be hidden under carpets etc, and this cable helps it to retain
contact with the main control panel.? There can be as many remote keypads as you wish around the house, they are
simply to make it more convenient when setting the system, so that you don?t
always have to go to wherever the control panel is to set the system. They can
be placed next to your bed, so that you can set the system before going to
sleep and deactivate it before you get out of bed in the mornings, or by the
doors so that you can immediately deactivate the system upon entering the