| The batteries in a home security system are important | | | | But, even if you are not able to take immediate action, |
| parts of the system - perhaps the most important | | | | the battery backup is there to save the day, allowing |
| parts. Whether you do a home security self install or | | | | your security system to run until you have the |
| have a security company install the system, you should | | | | opportunity to replace the main battery. |
| be aware of the battery capabilities, how often to | | | | Facts on Lithium Batteries |
| check them, and when to replace them. This article will | | | | Lithium batteries are disposable and contain anodes of |
| give you the basics. | | | | lithium metal, or compounds. They produce between |
| Home Security Battery Backup | | | | 1.5v and 3v which can be twice the voltage of the |
| Backup batteries are used in any quality alarm system | | | | average alkaline or zinc-carbon batteries. |
| on the market. Fitted into the actual control panel, they | | | | Lithium batteries are popular because they are |
| ensure that components linked into the panel which are | | | | generally lighter and can store a lot of energy in their |
| crucial to your security are able to run and function | | | | atomic bonds due to their reactive element. This |
| fully in the event of either a power failure, or in the | | | | translates in to 'very high energy density'. |
| case of a wireless system, a battery failure. These | | | | Lithium batteries hold a charge better. On average |
| home security products are the sensors, motion | | | | they lose only about 5% of their charge per month, |
| detectors, sirens, cameras, etc. | | | | which if you compare this to a 20% loss of other |
| Note: quality wired security systems run off electrical | | | | batteries, is why they are a natural choice for home |
| power with a battery backup system while wireless | | | | security systems. |
| home security systems usually run off a lithium battery | | | | Another advantage of lithium batteries is that they |
| pack with a battery backup system. | | | | have no memory effect. What this means is that you |
| Test Monthly | | | | do not have to discharge them completely before |
| Backup batteries as well as wireless lithium batteries | | | | recharging and they are capable of handling hundreds |
| must be tested at regular intervals, at least once a | | | | of 'charge/discharge cycles'. |
| month, to ensure that they are running on full power | | | | A lithium battery can store 150 'watt-hours' of power in |
| and are working properly. | | | | a 1kg battery pack. A NiMH battery which are those |
| Backup batteries and those used in wireless security | | | | found in any supermarket shelf, can only store |
| systems to prevent, if not stop, a burglar from disabling | | | | between 60-70 'watt-hours' per kilogram. |
| your alarm by turning off the power, even if that | | | | Lead acid batteries can only store 25 'watt-hours' per |
| means cutting the electrical wires feeding the control | | | | kilogram and it would take six of these to equal one |
| panel. | | | | lithium battery. |
| Battery powered wireless security systems | | | | Lithium batteries are the obvious choice because of |
| Wireless security systems rely on battery powered | | | | the advantages they have over alternative competing |
| radio transmitters and receivers, without which all the | | | | technologies. |
| essential components like cameras, sensors, motion | | | | When installing a home security system, it is best to |
| detectors and others cannot work. They are easy to | | | | only buy a system with a battery backup, so if there a |
| install and are mobile. They are not reliant on, or | | | | power failure your system will remain on alert. It is very |
| disabled by, electrical power failures. | | | | important that you pay attention to the batteries. |
| Every quality home security system comes complete | | | | These are the life's blood of the system. If they fail, |
| with a battery powered backup capable of running the | | | | and you are not aware of it, your security system is |
| system for as much as weeks in the event of a | | | | compromised or even useless depending on the |
| power failure. In the case of wireless systems, lithium | | | | system you have installed. It is wise to set up a |
| batteries are designed to run for years. | | | | schedule to check your batteries periodically as |
| Many wireless system has sensors will send an alert | | | | suggested by the manufacturer of your system and |
| to the control panel if there is a problem, allowing you | | | | replace them if necessary. |
| to take necessary action to prevent system failure. | | | | |