|
One of the most overlooked components in home security systems is one of the most useful. And, interestingly, it's actually something that most homes have even if they don't have security systems. Instead of being used to set off an alarm, it's used as a safety feature to detect when someone crosses a line, and affects a change in the direction of motion of a quite heavy object.
Still wondering? I'll tell you: the sensors on your garage door. These little guys sense when someone is underneath your garage door and either stops it or causes it to reverse direction, hopefully before anyone gets trapped or hurt. They're handy both as a safety switch to keep people from getting hurt, and to keep property from getting damaged.
What they're called is photoelectric detectors, and they're one of the most common sensors in all sectors of industry. What could be more simple than a set of sensors that tells you if something has passed between them?
There are a multitude of ways that these gems can be integrated into your home security system. For example, if you have a long driveway, you're probably interested in knowing i
f someone has pulled in to it and is headed your way. Both for safety reasons and to give you some warning when your in-laws are dropping by unexpectedly. If you were to integrate two of these sensors at the end of your driveway and wire them in to your panel, you could trigger some sort of response each time you get company.
Another handy way to use them is in an area where there's a lot of loud noise, and you don't want to be surprised by someone sneaking up on you. Think about a wood or metal working shop. If you're performing some precision work on a dangerous machine, the last thing you want to be is startled. A set of these sensors on the entrance can signal you that there's company on the way so you don't jump or jerk your arms when you finally notice them.
The uses for these components is almost endless, or at least only bounded by your imagination and needs. Low power sensors can be had for less than one hundred dollars, while higher power ones with visual filtering algorithms will run upwards near three hundred dollars. For the price, you won't find anything that rounds out your security system more easily.
|
Rate This Article
Add Comments
Send To Friends
Print 
Download as PDF