(Following is a column by Alex Clark of Maverick Secured.)
Today we’re going to talk about some important terms and tools used by pros, brands, and what to look out for in a monitoring contract from an alarm company/service provider.
Let’s look at some terms frequently used. When we’re talking about “wireless” devices, there are few truly wireless ones out there. When it comes to alarm systems, newer systems use battery-powered sensors that communicate with the panel using radio frequencies. These sensors are true wireless devices and are only limited by the distance from or the number of walls between them and the alarm panel.
Other devices, such as WiFi cameras, can communicate wirelessly, but still need to be plugged into a standard wall outlet for power. Some brands do offer battery-powered WiFi cameras, but keep in mind that the battery will need to be removed and recharged periodically. This is no problem in June, but February tends to exponentially suck for doing that kind of work. When buying wireless cameras, make sure you have access to sufficient power or you’re ok with changing out batteries in freezing rain on a ladder.
Another term you will run into is a “radio” or “communicator.” This is the device inside your alarm panel that allows it to send alarm signals to the right place. This is an easy one, because it’s just a cell phone. No, not the same one you’re likely reading this on, it’s just a chunk of plastic with the SIM card and cellular radio inside with an antenna.
The last term is a “central station.” This is where those signals from your alarm are sent to be processed by an operator, who then determines what action needs to be taken. The obvious ones are intrusion and smoke alarms which require the proper authorities to be notified, and the lesser-known signals are called “trouble signals.” These signals are for things like low batteries or when a sensor loses connection to the panel. Your alarm provider typically gets the call from the central station about these and should call you to schedule a date/time to remedy the problem.
The most common tools you will find in any good technician’s bag or belt are fairly basic and available just about everywhere. For my DIY crowd, here’s what you should have or purchase if you don’t already own them:
· A good pair of wire strippers
· RJ45 crimps,
· A 20V cordless drill with standard and masonry bits
· A multimeter or voltmeter
· A tone and probe set
· A set of flex or glow rods
· A pair of electrician’s screwdrivers
· and a bit driver with security bits.
There is also the need for some consumable materials as well: quality electrical tape; B connectors; RJ45 connectors; 18/2 wire; and CAT5e wire.
When buying CAT5e wire, look out for and try to avoid anything labeled as “CCA.” This means the individual wires are copper-clad aluminum and will have a much higher chance of breaking when you’re pulling it.
When it comes to brand names, plenty of manufactures have come and gone, but a few have stood the test of time by producing great products. For alarms, some of those brands are Honeywell, DSC, Bosch, and 2GIG. A certain well-known, three-letter alarm company, for instance, uses Honeywell alarm panels. They just have their logo branded on the panel instead of Honeywell.
If you want to take the DIY route for an alarm, but want a better quality than dedicated DIY systems, you can easily find these brands available online and install them yourself. You still will need to find a company to provide the monitoring service, but you will save a lot of money buying your own equipment.
Cameras are a little different. While there are dozens of brands, there are only a handful of manufacturers. Names like Axis, Speco, and Geovision are known for higher quality than anything you can buy at a retailer.
Beware of “kits” on the shelves of electronics stores and other retailers. These kits usually have low quality and pre-cut and terminated wires ranging from 50 to 100 feet long each. If you only need 25 feet for one camera, too bad. Here’s an extra 75 feet to coil up somewhere.
Lastly, let’s talk monitoring contracts. A lot of companies offer “free” installation for an alarm system, provided you sign a three- to five-year contract. What they hide in the extremely fine print is that they add the cost of your equipment to your monthly bill. Your actual monitoring costs may only be $30 per month, but your total bill might be closer to $70. The additional $40 per month is what they’re charging you for the “free” stuff.
Let’s do some simple math: $40 per month times 36 months equals $1,440. The exact same equipment they’re charging you $1,440 for can be purchased for around $600 from online retailers. Programming your own alarm system may sound like a hard task, but everything you as the user need to know is included in the box.
That’s all for today, as there’s quite a bit here to digest and research. In our next column, we’ll talk about inexpensive and easy ways to secure your home or small business using best practices, and simple fixes for security gaps using common items.
Alex Clark is the owner of Maverick Secured, a physical security consulting firm, and managing partner of Equinox Site Security, which provides automated security platforms for construction sites and temporary events.
He is the host of the forthcoming YouTube series, Security Tips From Maverick and future podcast, Maverick Secured. He can be reached by emailing alex@mavericksecured.com.