Experience with House alarm systems

[Shroomster]

ok here is the short of it...

Have a system monitored through ADT security...they've been awesome on response to alarm signals and such (false alarms but still)

I want to get glass break sensors (not on window, the kind that hear/sense the glass breaking)

ADT said the board we have is not compatible and we need to upgrade

Think they might be yanking me to upgrade I dunno

but anyone have any input on glass break sensors or anything of the like?

we want to get them so the cat can roam around and not be cooped up in a bathroom all day out of site from the motion sensors

please don't comment on the service of ADT; it will vary city to city

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by Shroomster

ok here is the short of it...

Have a system monitored through ADT security...they've been awesome on response to alarm signals and such (false alarms but still)

I want to get glass break sensors (not on window, the kind that hear/sense the glass breaking)

ADT said the board we have is not compatible and we need to upgrade

Think they might be yanking me to upgrade I dunno

but anyone have any input on glass break sensors or anything of the like?

we want to get them so the cat can roam around and not be cooped up in a bathroom all day out of site from the motion sensors

please don't comment on the service of ADT; it will vary city to city

I've dealt with them. They're aimed at windows and can interpret sounds that resemble breaking glass. Tiny little things, about the size of a deck of playing cards back in the early 2000s. Probably smaller today.

Calibrating them is a kick. You aim a gadget that makes sounds that sound like glass breaking. Should activate it.

The real important point is how they interface to your alarm panel. You'd need to open the panel, get the manufacturer and model number and then do your homework. I did not stick at that job long enough to know the protocols and installation tips (they were two small timers who did not like to pay wages, so I dumped 'em).

1. You need to ID the panel. Get its info. See if it can handle Glass Breaks.
2. If so you have to ID ports that will accept Glass Breaks.
3. You have to reprogram the panel.
4. How ADT works in with this I do not know.

Gene

[GeneW]

A "rough and ready" way to deal with windows is to tape them with conductive tape or thin wires. Either can be defeated, I suppose.

You also may be able to limit the range of ultrasonic or IR detectors to "ignore" cats and other small animals.

Gene

[MadMax]

We went with motion detectors instead. Glass breakage detectors can easily be defeated (won't say how). I work in a secure government facility, and we use motion detectors. If it is good enough to protect the government's highest secrets, then it is good enough for me at home!

By the way, modern motion sensors shouldn't be set off by small animals. We have two terriers that weigh ~20lbs and they don't trigger the alarm when we're gone. I would recommend checking your motion detectors and replacing them if your cats set them off, as they shouldn't.

Cheers! M2

[Shroomster]

Originally Posted by MadMax

By the way, modern motion sensors shouldn't be set off by small animals. We have two terriers that weigh ~20lbs and they don't trigger the alarm when we're gone. I would recommend checking your motion detectors and replacing them if your cats set them off, as they shouldn't.

Cheers! M2

the question about that is though the cat is about 10 lbs. and he will jump and run w/o question about 3-4 foot in the air....I'm thinking there isn't really a way around him with a motion sensor.....