Every resident deserves to feel safe in their own home, and a burglar alarm can provide all-important protection for peace of mind. Burglar alarms are also an essential bit of kit for commercial spaces, whether it’s a retail space, an office, or a warehouse.

But how exactly do burglar alarms work? Understanding the technology behind these handy devices can help make sure you choose the best security system for your needs and can spot any potential issues to ensure your alarm is in full working order.

Who needs a burglar alarm?

A burglar alarm is a wise investment for any property owner, whether residential or commercial. They can deter intruders, alert property owners if there is an attempted intrusion, and some alarms can even contact the police.

You may benefit from installing a burglar alarm if you have any security concerns. This might be because you live in an area where there have been frequent break-ins. Perhaps you’re planning to go on holiday and want peace of mind knowing your property is protected while you and your family are away. Or maybe you run a business and have valuable stock in your commercial premises.

No matter the space or location, it’s often better to be safe than sorry, and a burglar alarm can help you feel secure and protected. For best results, we recommend combining your burglar alarm with other security measures, including smart home features. This will ensure a comprehensive security plan.

For more advice, take a look at our step-by-step guide to protecting your home from burglary.

How do burglar alarms work?

Burglar alarms are available in a range of forms, and some have more comprehensive features than others. However, all security alarms follow a similar basic principle, which we can break down into four steps:

Sensors detect motion

Movement, such as opening and closing a door or smashing a window, will trigger sensors strategically placed around a property’s entryways or perimeter.

The sensors are part of an electrical circuit, and any motion will therefore break the circuit.

The sensors alert a control panel

These sensors are connected to a control panel, and when the circuit is broken, it will start an alarm countdown.

An alarm sounds

After the countdown, an alarm will activate unless an ‘abort’ code is entered to stop it. The alarm is designed to be loud, alerting anybody nearby that somebody has tried to enter the property.

An alarm may include flashing lights along with a siren sound — these can be helpful for police when trying to find your property.

The alarm is deactivated

To stop the alarm, the property owner will need to deactivate it. This is usually done by entering a code using the burglar alarm’s control panel. However, in some cases, you may be able to deactivate it remotely using an app on your phone or another device.

What types of burglar alarms are available?

Burglar alarms are usually available in three main forms when it comes to wiring:

• Hard-wired
• Wireless
• Hybrid (a combination of wired and wireless)

While wired, wireless, and hybrid burglar alarms generally follow the process detailed above, some include additional features and security measures.

• Police response: For example, you may wish to install a burglar alarm that includes a telephone auto-dialling feature. This will automatically contact the police and give them a pre-recorded message to inform them of your property’s address so they can head over and stop the intruder.
• Speech dialling: You can also set your alarm to dial another contact, such as a neighbour or family member, instead of the police.
• App-controlled: Some burglar alarms are synced up to an app so you can set, alter, and deactivate them from your phone, giving you greater control over your security measures.
• Fog cannon: At Argus Fire and Security, we work with homeowners and businesses to provide high-quality alarm systems. Fog cannons are an increasingly popular feature of burglar alarms, especially for shops, banks, and other commercial spaces. When the alarm is triggered, it will send pulses of synthetic white smoke to obscure the intruder’s vision and slow them down.
• Remote monitoring: For ultimate security, we can provide a remote monitoring service so that our professional monitoring centre will be alerted when a burglar alarm sounds. From there, we can carry out the best course of action — whether that’s getting in touch with you or contacting the police. Find out more about our remote monitoring services in Wigan and across the North West.

Which burglar alarm is best for you?

The team at Argus Fire and Security has over 30 years of experience in fitting burglar alarms and security systems. Throughout this time, we’ve found that:

• Homeowners needing low security can benefit from an audible-only burglar alarm or an app-controlled system.
• For businesses in medium to high-risk areas, it is best to install police response-monitored systems with dual-path monitoring.

Protect your property with burglar alarms from Argus Fire and Security

Burglar alarms are one of the most effective security systems you can install at home or in a commercial property. The experts at Argus Fire and Security are here to help you find the right security solutions for your needs.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to see how we can help.