Automated home security products
Home automation first revolutionised home security with the humble automatic timer, which created the illusion of activity when occupants were away on holiday. Technological advances now mean that security for the entire home can be controlled with an integrated system.
For example, there are systems that record people entering the home, call a security monitoring company, and allow you to telephone in to find out if an alarm has been triggered. Let’s look at a sample of automated home security products on the market.
Clipsal C-Bus keyless entry
Swipe cards are no longer confined to big buildings. Using a card means no more fumbling for keys or needing to remember to turn the alarm system on and off. If your C-Bus system is integrated with your home entertainment and lighting, the cards can also be set up to play your favourite song and turn on the lights when you walk inside.
Suitable for: incorporating in a fully integrated system.
ADT home automation solution
This system is connected both to you and ADT’s 24 hour monitoring. This means that you can call your system from any telephone to arm or disarm it. It also has a smoke detector and heat detector, which, in addition to the standard motion detectors, are monitored by ADT. If the alarm is triggered, a customer service rep calls your home. From there they assess which emergency services to dispatch.
Suitable for: peace of mind with 24 hour monitoring.
HPM Excel light switch with timer
Automatic timers you can plug appliances into are one of the oldest tricks in home automation, and here HPM integrates a timer with a wall switch. You can program lights to go on and off at set times of the day during the week, or totally randomly. The ‘lived-in’ look will deter thieves, or you can program external lights to be always on when needed.
Suitable for: entry level holiday security.
W Home X10 wireless security kit
With no need for cables, this seven piece kit is simple to install. It’s linked to your telephone line so you can call to check the status – or it can call you in an emergency. It can also be integrated with your security camera and home entertainment system to automatically record intruders when the alarm is set off. And besides protecting your home it’s able to control lights and appliances.
Suitable for: retrofitting security without the need to lay cables.
Clipsal C-Bus panic mode
C-Bus is an extremely flexible system that can be integrated with virtually all the electronics in your house. It can then be pre-programmed to alter many of your appliances at the touch of a button. A panic setting, for example, could turn on all the lights inside and outside your house, make a call to a security company, and bring up the video from your security cameras on the TVs in your house.
Suitable for: one-touch emergency protection.
TechEng TOCA fingerprint scanner
Here’s a key you’ll never lose and a password you’ll never forget. This fingerprint scanner can be connected to the doors of your house, safes, even the alarm system. Access can be granted and denied to certain users at certain times. If it’s integrated with your computer it can keep track of who’s entered the house and when they arrived. You’ll need to connect it to a computer to add and edit users.
Suitable for: gadget junkies and when money is no object.