Wireless Security Systems

With crime on the rise, home security systems are a must have.  With burglars becoming more and more common, you simply must protect your loved ones as well as your possessions.  There are several different types of security systems available for you to choose from.  For your home, there are wired and wireless security systems available.  Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, along with the differences in price as well.

The driving technology found with both wired and wireless security systems are quite different.  Wireless security systems don’t need to be wired through the house; they will instead send transfer messages to the control panel through radio signals.  When they were first introduced, wireless security systems were proved to be unreliable when compared to the wired systems.  As time went by and more and more people looked into them, wireless systems began to take form.

When compared to wired systems, wireless security systems or Security Cameras are a lot easier and more convenient to install due to the fact of there being no wires.  Wireless systems can save you a lot of money, time, and effort due to there being no ripping of the floors or walls in your home.  Wireless systems on the other hand are more expensive than wired systems and you’ll need to replace their batteries on a periodic basis.  The primary advantage to wireless security systems is the fact that they are easy to relocate, meaning that you can easily shift them from one home to another.

Wireless security systems use the same components as other security systems such as the touchpad, control panel, cameras, detectors, and alarms.  Wireless systems rely on radio frequencies that are transmitted by the door contacts, windows, and motion activated sensors.  The touch pads that are located at the entrances to the home will provide activation and deactivation of the system.  In the event of the power failing, a backup system will take over the wireless system and continue to provide security for your home.

To use a wireless system, all you need to do is input the code through the control panel.  Normally, this is done prior to entering and leaving your home.  Once the code is input into the control panel, the control panel will send remote signals to the rest of the system that will activate the alarms.  Depending on the system you have, an alarm will go off either by motion detection or a window or door being opened.

If you look around you can find several different wireless security systems, many of which you can install yourself.  Before you buy a system though, you should always consult a professional who can survey your home and suggest the equipment you need.  Even though it may cost a bit more money, it will be more than worth it down the road.

How Home Video Surveillance Works

When they were first introduced, video surveillance systems were mostly used with medium to large businesses.  These days however, they are becoming more and more common in homes.  Video surveillance security systems are also known as Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) and are used to monitor certain areas around the home and help to protect it from burglars and thieves.

The monitor is a key aspect to the video surveillance setup.  The monitor will feed the video from the cameras that make up the system.  The monitors are normally black and white and feature a higher resolution than that of a standard television set.  Monitors vary in size and resolution, although the standard resolution is between 500 and 1000 lines.

Cameras are also important.  When setting up the home video surveillance system, the cameras are placed strategically around the outside of the home, in the most vulnerable areas.  They should be set up in areas where they are nearly impossible to see.  The cameras are always working, sending the video transmissions to the monitors on a frequent basis.

Coaxial cables are also a must have for video surveillance systems.  The coaxial cables are what transfers the video signals from the camera to the monitor.  The cables are available in a variety of sizes.  You can find them at a local electronics store in your area. Your home video surveillance system will come with coaxial cables, although you may need more depending on where you plan to set the cameras up at.

Home video surveillance systems also use switchers.  Switchers allow you to run multiple camera feeds to one monitor.  Normally, a switcher will cycle through feeds unless it detects movement going on around a camera.  When the switcher detects any type of movement, it will automatically lock in to the camera that has detected the movement.

There are some video surveillance systems that you can get for the home that make full use of VCRs.  These systems will use the VCR to record any live video feed that you program.  This can come in handy if you travel a lot, as the VCR can capture a break in as it happens.  If you end up going to court or to the police, you can use the video tape as evidence.  VCRs can catch burglars in the act – especially if you set the camera up to a location that is hard to see.

By utilizing the combination of a monitor and video camera, home video surveillance systems can easily catch burglaries and break-ins.  They are very affordable these days, and used in thousands of homes throughout North America.  If you’ve been looking for the ideal way to protect your home – a home video surveillance system is something you should look into immediately.

All About Lock Picking

When you don’t have the right key, lock picking is a great way to open just about any lock out there.  Normally, picking locks is something we associate with crime and illegal activities, although crime isn’t always the case.  There are a lot of instances where locking picking skills can come in real handy.  Take for instance a lost house key or locking your car keys inside your car.  Even though you could always break a window, calling a professional locksmith is the best to go - it can save you a lot of money in repairs, and get the lock open fast.

To properly pick a lock, you’ll need the right tool kit.  Even the most basic lock picking kit will contain a lock pin and a tension wrench.  If you have an emergency, you can normally replace the lock pin with a hair pin.  Professional locking picking kits on the other hand will normally include a variety of tension wrenches in several different shapes and sizes, covering several different styles of lock pins.  Some include a locking picking gun, which uses vibration to push all the lock pins up at the same time.

When picking a lock is necessary, the first thing to do is to insert the tension wrench into the keyhole and attempt to turn the cylinder.  Next, you can use the lock pin and gently pry up on the pins.  Once the pins reach the normal opening position, you’ll hear a clicking noise, letting you know that the pins are in the right place - and the lock is open.

There is also another technique to lock picking, which is known as racking.  Racking uses a lower precision level, and uses a special pick known as a rake.  To use the rake, simply insert it into the keyhole until it reaches the back of the cylinder, then quickly pull it out so that it hits all of the pins when it comes out.  A tension wrench is also used as well, to turn the cylinder.

The hardest lock out there to pick are master locks.  They offer an excellent protection system, and aren’t as susceptible to picking as other types of locks.  Master locks were invented by Henry Soref in 1921, introducing the first lock to use laminated layers of solid steel.  Although master locks use the same picking system as other types of locks, those that are in combined format will require a locksmith with a lot of patience - and skill.

To learn more about lock picking, there are several books and illustrations that you can buy, which will show you the techniques step by step.  Often times, a video or Cd is included that will show you the techniques in action.  Several books and videos were made by true locksmiths, although others are more directed for people who just want to learn a bit more on the subject.  If you want to become a locksmith or a professional at lock picking, you can also find books and videos out there that will help you become proficient at picking locks.

Anytime you buy a lock, you should always keep in mind that just about any lock can be picked.  Although most locks can be picked, there are some that take a bit more time and patience than others.  When you buy a lock, you should always think in terms of safety and select one that you know it isn’t to penetrate.  This way, you can have a sense of security in your lock - and know that you are safe and protected.