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