DIY: Burglar Alarms

Installation cost often adds a considerable expense to home security systems. Do-it-yourself systems aren't usually as involved as hard-wired installations, but they provide a modicum of protection for your property while providing peace of mind while you're away. The alarms rely on wireless sensors on doors and windows that send a signal to the control panel when an entry point is breached. Installing a DIY burglar alarm therefore requires the proper installation of the sensors, the panel and the alarm siren.

Drill

Instructions

- 1
  Attach a sensor to each door and window in the home. Each sensor comes in two pieces. One fits to the frame while the other goes on the door or window itself using a self-stick adhesive. When a door opens, the two pieces of the sensor are separated from each other, and a transmitter sends a signal to the panel.
- 2
  Drill a hole through the wall where you want the main control panel to be. The panel should be close enough to your main entrance that you can reach it easily when coming home, but it should also remain out of the sight lines of your windows. An outlet that is not controlled by a light switch should be close by.
- 3
  Run the wire for the control panel into the wall through the hole. Drill a second hole next to the outlet and pull out the power cable. Connect the control panel to the wall so it covers the first hole. This is usually done with adhesive, but follow the instructions for your particular system.
- 4
  Repeat the procedure for the siren that you followed for the panel by drilling two holes in the wall, connecting the siren and running the wire out to a power outlet.
- 5
  Connect the power for the system and test it to verify everything works.

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