October 2023
A shock sensor – also sometimes referred to as a vibration sensor – can be incorporated into an intruder alarm system design to detect a full or attempted break-in. In this blog, we cover how shock sensors work, and the potential applications of these in both domestic and commercial settings.
How do they work?
Typically, a shock sensor works by detecting the shockwaves that are associated with a window or door being smashed or broken. When a large shockwave (or smaller repeated vibrations) is detected, the sensor sends a signal to your intruder alarm panel, causing it to sound the alarm that an intruder has attempted to gain access.
What application do they have in a domestic home environment?
At home, shock sensors can be beneficial when:
- Lots of windows/doors share the same framework (such as bay window or patio doors). A single shock sensor can give you coverage spanning more windows, whereas traditional window contacts would be needed on each opening window).
Burglars might attempt to break through a door and window and avoid activating the alarm with contacts on alone (particularly if no other method of intruder detection such as room PIRs are included in the system design).
Considerations should be made if your home has pets – we all like to think that our animals are as good-as-gold when we are not there, but shock sensors will likely activate if pets jump up at doors or windows with shock sensors – the postman is likely experienced in dogs getting excited when they visit, but alarms going off might be a bit more than they bargained for!
What application do they have in a commercial business environment?
Although the same uses as in a house can be applied, in a business set-up, there are more uses and considerations for shock sensors such as:
- Installations to vulnerable structures – e.g. buildings that may be at risk of being ram-raided might consider including some shock sensors for extra detection coverage.
Considerations should be made when using shock sensors at business premises. If your site experiences heavy vehicle activity, shock sensors might need the sensitivity altering to avoid unwanted activations from the movement of heavy vehicles outside. Factories that include machinery that create vibrations would likely not benefit from these for obvious reasons.
In all settings, it’s important to be aware that due to the nature of the device, situations outside of everyone’s control (such as earthquakes) have the potential totrigger the alarm when these types of devices are incorporated.
How Lynx can help
Here at Lynx, we offer bespoke system design and free-of-charge Surveyor visits. If you are unsure of what is right for you or what coverage you may require for your property, feel free to contact us via email on [email protected], or give us a call on 0800 998 1303. Alternatively, get in touch using our website form by scrolling down.
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