Today I spent half a day researching a home alarm kit from a Russian manufacturer. Surprised by the logic of the robots of some functions, I looked at how it was done by other manufacturers. I was even more surprised, and I want to discuss with you how an ideal alarm should work.
First of all, I’ll ask the main thing, do you need an alarm for your house, garage or summer cottage, provided that it is NOT connected to the control panel (there is a completely different topic, and we are not talking about it now)?
I always found such a thing interesting and useful, but maybe it’s only interesting to me?
The purpose of such an alarm is, first of all, to inform that everything is in order at the protected facility. If something happened, report it so that you can see the situation on the cameras (yes, they must be present if there is an alarm) and, possibly, call the police or at least contact neighbors.
And now about the various aspects of the alarm.
1. Notification.
What should happen if the alarm is triggered?
Options: Push notification on the phone, SMS, call.
In my opinion, the call is absolutely necessary, the messages may not be noticed.
2. Arming / disarming.
How should an alarm be armed and disarmed?
Options: button in the application, remote key, keypad with code, TM key (tablet, like an intercom), RFID key fob, button for arming.
In my opinion, the ideal option is to set by pressing a button, to remove with the TM key.
3. Sensor connection type.
Options are wired, wireless, wired and wireless.
Of course, wireless sensors are more convenient. But, firstly, they are more expensive, and secondly, they are less reliable and the radio signal can be drowned out.
In my opinion, the alarm should have at least two wired sensors - door opening and movement at the central point of the room (for an apartment - in the corridor). If there are also wireless ones, it's good, but not necessary.
4. Link.
Options: calls and SMS, mobile internet, Ethernet, Wi-Fi.
The most primitive alarms use only SMS and calls for communication, more advanced ones use the mobile Internet, some two channels simultaneously (for example, Wi-Fi and mobile Internet).
In my opinion, the ideal option is Ethernet plus mobile Internet / calls, so that all notifications go free through the home Internet, switched to mobile only if the wired Internet did not work, and there was necessarily an alert plus a call when anxiety.
5. The presence of a cloud and a mobile application.
Options: no, only cloud, cloud + SMS / calls.
In my opinion, the cloud and the mobile application are good, but only if there is a duplicate alarm channel in the form of a regular call to the mobile.
6. The presence of controlled outputs.
Options: None, Wireless, Wired.
The outputs can be connected to both sirens and indicators, and actuators, for example, heaters in the country, so that they can be turned on remotely.
In my opinion, wired outputs must be required. Personally, I need the alarm to send a signal to the output when the security is on, so that this signal cuts off some of the electricity in the apartment when no one is at home. In addition, it is good if there is an output with a siren connected to it, which would scream not when an alarm is triggered, but when a command from the application is issued.
7. The presence of a regime of constant protection.
If the alarm has a non-disconnectable security zone, you can connect fire detectors (for example, smoke) and leak detectors to it.
In my opinion, it's good if there is such an opportunity.
I didn't mention all the obvious things like dual power and built-in battery, but everyone has it.
If I haven't missed anything, for me the ideal home alarm should have the following features:
- wired sensors;
- GSM + Ethernet;
- arming with a button, disabling TM;
- notification in the application about all events, notification plus a call to a mobile phone in case of alarm;
- at least two outputs, one of them with a state of protection;
- reasonable price (up to 5000 rubles central unit without sensors and other things).
Surprisingly, I have not yet found such an alarm.
And what should be the perfect alarm for you, if you need one at all?
© 2020, Alexey Nadezhin
The main topic of my blog is technology in human life. I write reviews, share experiences, talk about all sorts of interesting things. My second project - lamptest.ru. I test LED bulbs and help figure out which ones are good and which are not so good.