The Savvy Guide to Home Security

292 Pages·2005·17.079 MB·English

by  John Paul Mueller

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THE SAVVY GUIDE
TO HOME SECURITY
Other books in the SAVVY Guide series
The Savvy Guide to Home Theater, ISBN 0-7906-1303-4
The Savvy Guide to Digital Photography, ISBN 0-7906-1309-3
The Savvy Guide to Fantasy Sports, ISBN 0-7906-1313-1
The Savvy Guide to Digital Music, ISBN 0-7906-1317-4
The Savvy Guide to Motorcycles, ISBN 0-7906-1316-6
Mueller, John, 1958-
The savvy guide to home
security /
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35305210993253
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THE SAVVY GUIDE
TO HOME SECURITY
John Paul Mueller
INDYAECHiS
PUBLISHING
Indianapolis
© 2005 by Sams Technical Publishing, LLC, under the Indy-Tech Publishing imprint.
Indy-Tech Publishing is an imprint of Sams Technical Publishing, LLC, 9850 E. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN
46229.
All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the pub-
lisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained within. While every
precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author, the publisher, or seller assumes no responsi-
bility for errors and omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages or injuries resulting from the use of
information contained herein. The advice and strategies contained within may not be suitable for every situation.
This book is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other
professional services. The fact that an organization or website is referred to in this work as a citation or potential
source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher endorses the information the organi-
zation or website may provide or recommendations a third party may make. Please be aware that websites refer-
enced in this text may have changed or disappeared between the time the book was written and the time at which
you read it.
As this book may be technical in nature, we recommend that a professional be consulted if you feel you have
gone too far. Electronics involve electricity, which should be dealt with very carefully.
International Standard Book Number: 0-7906- 1315-8
Chief Executive Officer: Alan Symons
President: Scott Weaver
Chief Operating Officer: Richard White
Acquisitions Editor: Brad Schepp
Editorial Assistant: Dana Eaton
Copy Editor: Cheryl Hoffman
Technical Editor: Richard White
Typesetter: Cheryl Hoffman
Cover Design: Robin Roberts
Cover Photos: Provided by Andrew Gordon
Interior Illustrations: Provided by the author
Interior Photos: Provided by the author
Drawings: Provided by the author
Trademark acknowledgments: Where the names of companies, brands, etc are used, the registered trademarks
have generally been noted. The companies mentioned in this text in no way endorse the contents of this book,
nor have they participated in the publication of this book. All product illustrations, names, and logos are trade-
marks of their respective manufacturers, including all terms in this book that are known or suspected to be trade-
marks or service marks. Use of an illustration, term, or logo in this book should not be regarded as affecting the
validity of any trademark or service mark, or regarded as an association with or endorsement from the respective
trademark holder.
Manufactured in the USA, at Ripon Community Printers, Ripon, WI
To the instructors at Milwaukee Technical High School
who gave me my start in electronics.
I have always viewed my four years there
as time well spent.
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CONTENTS
SS
Acknowledgments
Introduction i
Why I Wrote This Book, 12 - What This Book Can Offer You, 13 - How This Book Is
Organized, 13 - Who Should Read This Book? 16 - Icons Used in This Book, 17
Hi Understanding Your Home Security Needs 19
Defining Home Security, 20 - Deciding What You Want to Protect, 23 - Determining
What Kind of System You Need, 27 - Interview with Doug Bentley, 34 . Setting a
Security System Price Goal, 43 - Physical Security versus Alarms and Monitoring, 44 -
Understanding Home Security Risks, 44 . Creating an Escape Route Plan, 48 - Let’s
Start Securing, 48
2 Choosing a Preconfigured Solution 51
Determining Whether a Custom Solution Makes Sense, 52 . Considering Security
Vendor Services, 54 - Interview with Jamie Goldsmith, 58 . Monitoring Home System
Alarms, 68 - Let’s Start Securing, 70
3 Designing a Hybrid System 73
Defining a Hybrid System, 74 . Considering Your Capabilities, 79 - Interview
with Tom Peters, 80 - Defining the System, 85 - Contracting the Hybrid System
Work, 89 - Let’s Start Securing, 90
Contents
4 Considering Custom Solutions 93
Defining Custom Solution Requirements, 94 - Considering Security Sensors, 100 -
Interview with Eric Gagnon, 102 - Developing Physical Security Elements, 117 -
Enabling Those with Special Needs, 119 - Let's Start Securing, 120
5 Installing the Hardware BAL
Understanding the Security System Types, 122 - Installing the Security System,
125 - Security Camera Components, 131 - Running Cables, 138 . Adding Physical
Security, 141 - Securing Wireless and Hardwired Systems, 142 - Considering Power
Requirements, 144 - Configuring the Software, 146 - Let's Start Securing, 148
6 Testing the Setup 158
Validating the System, 152 - Interview with Mark Mueller, 154 - Performing a
Preplanned Security Test, 161 - Checking the Monitoring System, 165 - Conducting
Physical System Checks, 167 - Using an Outside Testing Company, 175 - Conducting
a Power-Off Test, 176 - Let's Start Securing, 178
7 Adding Automation as Needed 181
Understanding Automation Basics, 183 . Considering the Types of Automation,
189 - Interview with Muhammad and Marilyn Kharbush, 190 . Relying on Simple
Automation Whenever Possible, 199 . Adding Timers, 200 . Using a Personal
Computer, 201 - Working with Remote Connections, 203 . Understanding When
Automation is Counterproductive, 204 - Keeping the Automation Secure, 205 - Let’s
Start Securing, 205
8 Maintaining Your System 200
Good, Better, and Best Maintenance Practices, 208 - Cleaning the System, 213 -
Interview with Greg Hahn, 214 - Performing Random Testing, 222 . Updating Your
Equipment, 223 . Diagnosing Potential Problems, 227 - Let’s Start Securing, 228
Appendix A: Home Security Vendors 229
Appendix B: Fifty-two Savvy Tips for Better Home Security 249
Appendix C: An Overview of Home Security Standards 257
Glossary 267
Index 281
About the Author 287