Cctv or a burglar alarm?

blackstar

Hi all

We moved into our new home recently and had a rewire and the electricians cut the wires to the home alarm. So not sure if it can be reconnected? 

If not we want to add some additional security to the home, especially when on holiday. We do have a ring doorbell but it's not reliable as when internet drops or goes down its useless.

Or budget is very low £200 - £400 max. 

Maybe loan money to increase.

I've bought 3 of these, one to put in hallway facing front door, other for living room poiting at windows and other to point at backroom door and windows in kitchen. Don't have one for the downstairs bathroom window though. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B09PDZNV97?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

We do have a security light that is motion sensored at front door.

How does a burglar alarm work? Is it triggered when there is movement ie the front door or window is pushed open for example? In which case those ones I have ordered on amazon will be sufficient? Or does a burglary alarm activated in a more throughout way? Dont really want one connected to the electric as would rather have one battery operated or similar?

Is it recommended to also have CCTV? Is it main a deterant as isn't it after the fact you look back on it? Can't do motion sensor as it would go off all the time unless I point it only to the front door I guess? Would also prefer a battery operated CCTV or maybe connected to the eletrics is better?

Any advice appreciated 

Neil_Jones

Most burglar alarms work on sensors on the outer doors, backed up by other sensors in key locations, so somebody only needs to open a door and the alarm will know about it.  Key entry points (such as front door) you get a delay before the whole lot goes off so you can deactivate.  Otherwise if its set and the alarm sees somebody (for example) in the front room, it'll just go off straight away as that's not subject to delay.  They are usually mains powered with battery back up.  However they are prone to false alarms.

CCTV on its own won't stop somebody breaking in.

blackstar

Thanks for this. What happens if it goes off for either a genuine or non genuine reason and you are away on holiday? Will it keep ringing until you return home?

Belenus

That would irritate your neighbours somewhat. 

UK domestic alarm systems should have an automatic cut-off device fitted to stop the alarm sounding after 20 minutes. 

PHK

You should bear in mind that your home insurance might specify an approved alarm (depending on what cover you've bought)

An alarm will sound and then time out but other alarms will connect over the phone line to alert you. There is also a more expensive type that connects via the Internet which continually connect to an app or control centre and will alert you (but not sound) if the Internet is disrupted, the alarm sounds  or piwer fails or is turned off. 

Incidentally, I personally wouldn't trust those PIR alarms youve bought. They are susceptible to being easily destroyed and unlike a proper alarm this wouldn't cause the others to sound. 

EssexExile

Can't the electricians rewire the alarm?

DullGreyGuy

blackstar said:

How does a burglar alarm work? Is it triggered when there is movement ie the front door or window is pushed open for example? In which case those ones I have ordered on amazon will be sufficient? Or does a burglary alarm activated in a more throughout way? Dont really want one connected to the electric as would rather have one battery operated or similar?

Is it recommended to also have CCTV? Is it main a deterant as isn't it after the fact you look back on it? Can't do motion sensor as it would go off all the time unless I point it only to the front door I guess? Would also prefer a battery operated CCTV or maybe connected to the eletrics is better?

An alarm can be off or on/armed. When on/armed it can have a number of different ways to trigger it and often whilst turning it on you can make certain selections. If a trigger is received the alarm will sound quietly inside for X seconds to give you time to get to the control panel and enter the code to turn it off. If the correct code isn't entered in time then the outside and inside sirens will go off/ lights flash etc depending on its capabilities. 

Triggers can be magnets on the doors/windows that will detect when they are opened or can be IR sensors inside that detect movement. 

Ours had triggers upstairs and downstairs with the idea being that at night you'd turn it on but only have the downstairs triggers working (kitchen etc is upstairs) but if you went out the house you'd turn all of them on. 

If you have a "maintained" alarm with a service charge you'll get the bells/lights but also their contact centre will be made aware and they'll try calling you to let you know and you have a password to give if its a false alarm/fault etc. If not then in principle they call the cops etc. 

Had an alarm in two places we've lived, both bells only. In the first one the keypad went faulty and the alarm went off. Pulled the fuse, waited 20 minutes or so and the alarm stopped. About 6 hours later the police turned up saying reports of an alarm, they took our explanation without evidence and left. Our current place had one installed too, the battery in it was failing and would occasionally go off randomly for a short time. One time a neighbour asked after 5-6 days if our alarm had gone off. We disconnected it and allowed the battery to drain. 

CCTV is ok but 1) will you be aware if it spots something it shouldn't and 2) what are you going to do if you are on the beach abroad and you appear to see someone in the house?

Chickereeeee

I think many alarm systems are overkill, and expensive. Ours has a rechargeable  battery  in case of power failure, anti-tamper sensors on component boxes, phone line testing etc etc - all of which can go wrong and set the alarm off. The recharge battery loses its charge at about 1am in the morning,  and needs an emergency engineer call-out to fix!

We do not store the crown jewels, so it is unlikely that some thief will cut the power, or phone line, or secretly tamper with the boxes. In fact, there is not much worth taking the risk to break in for anyway.

If you want one, the DIY ones are probably the way to go. Failing that a dummy external alarm box!

CCTV let's you check all  is OK remotely, and also spot if ne'rdo-wells are checking your car door handles, or wandering in your garden.