Benefits of Magnetic Alert Driveway Alarm Systems

If your main reason for installing a #driveway alarm system is to get an alert whenever a vehicle drives onto your property over the driveway, magnetic driveway alarm systems may be your best option. Unlike wireless driveway alarms which will trigger an alarm when people or large animals come into detection range, magnetic systems will only trigger when they sense large metal objects, such as cars, trucks or railway cars. They have a number of features that make them extremely useful in applications that include access control, security and analyzing traffic patterns. These are some of the benefits of using a magnetic driveway alarm system.

Reliability

Of all types of driveway sensors, magnetic sensors are the most reliable. They’re not affected by wireless signal interference or by weather conditions.

High Sensitivity

Most magnetic vehicle sensors operate by recognizing changes to the Earth’s magnetic field. The best driveway sensors can recognize even minute changes. This sensitivity allows them to be reliable even when there’s a long distance between the sensor and the item being sensed.

Eliminate False Alarms

As noted, magnetic driveway alarms only sense large metal objects. That virtually eliminates false alarms triggered by people, household pets and wildlife. You’ll only register cars, trucks and other vehicles.

Easy to Install

The magnetic probes can be buried near the driveway if you want an invisible system, or installed next to or near the driveway above ground if visibility is not an issue. They’re work just as well above or below grade.

Can Trigger Other Systems

Like other wireless driveway alarms, magnetic sensor systems can be used to trigger other systems. Many people use them to sound a chime or alarm to alert home or business owners that a vehicle has entered the driveway, but there are many other uses as well. Add a light kit to turn on lights when a vehicle approaches or turn on a security camera to give you a visual of the area. You can even use the magnetic sensor to trigger signs or activate gates or other equipment.

Wide Range

Depending on the model you choose, magnetic driveway sensors can detect vehicles over a range of as much as 1,000 feet.

Want to know more about how wireless driveway alarms can benefit your business or help you secure your home? Talk to expert security installers and get answers from users in the +Home Security Experts group on Google+.

Wireless Driveway Alarms Tips and Advice

Driveway alarms are a valuable addition for to your #home security system, but they also do so much more. Wireless driveway alarms – the most popular type on the home security market – make it easier to monitor your property, and are a good idea if the entrance to your driveway is some distance from your house. While they’re not a substitute for a complete home security system, they do provide an additional layer of protection and an early warning system to alert you when someone has entered your property via a driveway, gate, passageway or drive-thru lane. There are many different types of driveway alarm systems. The more you know, the easier it will be to choose the one that’s right for you.

Know Your Property

Before you choose a driveway alarm system, do a quick survey of your property. How far from your home will you place driveway sensors? How clear is the line of sight between the receiver and the driveway sensors? What is the weather like in your area? How much foot traffic – including wildlife – passes your driveway or enters it over the course of a day or night? All of those questions will help you determine the best type and model of driveway alarm system for your property.

Know What You Want

As noted, wireless driveway alarms are good for more than home security. Before you go shopping for a driveway alarm system, think about what you want it to actually do. Do you want to be alerted whenever someone sets foot on your property? Your best choice might be an infrared system that detects any motion. Do you only want to know when a vehicle approaches your property? A magnetic driveway sensor or pressure hose sensor will cut down on false alarms triggered by foot traffic. Keep in mind that with the proper accessories, your driveway alarm can serve as a trigger to do things like open your garage door, turn on the lights, raise and lower access gates or turn on security cameras. If your intent is to use the driveway alert as a trigger for anything other than a chime or buzzer, be sure you choose models that will work with your desired accessories.

Installation – DIY or Pro?

While some systems require a licensed contractor – particularly wired alarm systems – most wireless driveway alarms can be installed by a reasonably experienced DIY homeowner. If you’re planning to take on the installation yourself, check into the installation instructions and guidelines so that you choose a model for which you have the required skills and tools.

If you’re looking for more information about +wireless driveway alarms, check with a professional home security expert for tips and advice on choosing and installing the right driveway alarm system for your needs. 

How to Choose the Best Wireless Driveway Alarms

Wireless driveway alarms are an invaluable part of your home security system if any part of your driveway is not clearly visible from the house. In remote areas, intruders could be at your front door before you even know they’re on your property. A wireless driveway alert solves that problem by raising the alarm whenever it detects motion on your driveway or approach to your house.

Once you decide that a driveway alert is a good idea for you, you’ll have a few more decisions to make about the type and range of your wireless driveway alarm. +JWallace, home resources and maintenance coach, notes that #wireless driveway alarms are about the best option for protecting a larger property from intrusion – and they’re not that difficult to install if you have reasonable DIY skills. The trick is to decide what you want to know and then choose the system that gives you the features and flexibility you want.

Range

How far away will your wireless receiver be from the motion sensors for your driveway alarm system? A company like Driveway Alarm Products offers alarm systems with sensing ranges from 100 feet to up to 2 miles away from the receiver.

Weather Conditions

Some types of wireless driveway alarms will be affected by extreme weather conditions, especially ice and snow. For example, if you live in an area with heavy snowfall or ice, a pressure hose sensor may not be your best choice.

Site Conditions

Dense trees and/or transmitter towers nearby can interfere with transmissions from your wireless driveway alert. If those types of conditions might be an issue, talk to an experienced professional for advice and help to choose the right system for your property.

Visibility

In some cases, a visible alarm system can be a deterrent to intruders. In most cases, though, you may want to be able to hide the sensors for your driveway alarm to prevent people from bypassing it. There are many driveway alarm systems that give you the option to hide the sensors, including magnetic metal sensors and hoses that can be buried out of sight.

Number of Entrances/Exits

Are there multiple entrances to your property? Do you want to cover a wide swath of land? A wireless alarm system with infrared sensors might be your best choice. In many cases, you can install multiple sensors to send to the same receiver, which increases your coverage area considerably.

Wireless driveway alarms are a security essential if you live in a rural or remote area. It only takes a little research to decide on the best driveway security systems for your needs.

Four Good Reasons to Install Wireless Driveway Alarms

+Wireless driveway alarms may seem like overkill if you’ve already installed a home security system, but driveway alerts provide a measure of security that no other type of alarm can offer. Whether you’re trying to protect your family from intruders or just want a bit of advance notice before someone comes to call, there are some great reasons to install a wireless driveway alarm system on your property.

When You Want to Protect More than What’s In Your House

Your home security alarm system is great if everything you want to protect is inside your home, but why leave the rest of your property unprotected? A driveway alarm system will alert you whenever someone comes up the drive, whether they approach your house or not. Keep the contents of your garage and storage buildings safe and keep intruders out of your garden, deck and swimming pool.

Get Early Warning of Incoming Company

You know that not all company is welcome. Wireless driveway alarms give you some advance warning that the locusts are about to descend so you can prepare to meet them appropriately. Depending on the length of your driveway, you could have enough time to whisk the dishes off the table before mom shows up – because who wants to listen to her complain about your housekeeping skills – or hide so you can pretend you’re not home.

Differentiate Between Intruders and Passersby

Choose the alarm system that makes the most sense for your situation. Different types of sensors are best at detecting different types of intrusion. If your biggest concern is knowing when vehicles are approaching your house, for example, then a pressure hose driveway sensor may be all you need. If you want to know when large animals – including pedestrians – are creeping around your property, choose an infrared system. If you live in an area where ice and snow might disable a pressure hose, consider a metal probe wireless driveway alarm system.

Cover Multiple Entrances with Driveway Alarm Systems

You can install multiple detectors to each receiver, which allows you to cover more than one driveway or entrance with the same system. And since they cover from 600 to 2000 feet, you’ll know when someone is approaching well before they reach your front door.

Wireless Driveway Alarms Integrate with Existing Security Systems

If you’re working on an automated home security system, a wireless driveway alert can fit right into your existing system and serve as a trigger for other events. When the sensor detects intrusion, it can turn on surveillance cameras or security lights, send a signal to alert you by telephone or take advantage of any other capabilities inherent in your wireless security system.

Your home is not just your most financially valuable property – it’s the fortress that protects the things and people you most value in the world. Don’t leave them unprotected. Consider installing a wireless driveway alarm system to increase your family’s security.