Approximately 60% of convicted burglars stated the presence of a security system influenced their decision to target another home, according to a report by the University of North Carolina. Therefore, owners of residential or commercial property portfolios should invest in protecting them against theft. Here we look at the traditional and modern home security systems that are available to landlords and property managers – and examine their portable power requirements.
One of the earliest examples of home security is the peephole (“door viewer”) that was invented by George Winningham in 1932. Still used to this day, residents within a property can see who is on the other side of the door whilst remaining invisible. However, peepholes rely on the resident being at home and physically able to get to the door, so advancements in home security have focused on protecting the property where this is not possible, by detecting suspicious activity and raising the alarm.
Whilst alkaline 9V batteries are commonly used in wireless motion detectors, due to wide retail store availability, the service life is far less than can be offered by Lithium. Depending on use and device cut-off voltage, the Ultralife Lithium 9V battery can offer up to five times the capacity of a leading alkaline 9V. Therefore, property managers with a large portfolio to manage or maintain should not need to replace the batteries as frequently – saving time and money. Whilst investing in Lithium 9V for motion detectors, they can also be used in a wide range of other applications throughout the property, including smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.
Although reliably powered traditional security devices are useful for informing nearby residents of suspicious activity, in the digital age, property owners have a wealth of smart home technology at their fingertips that can send security alerts directly to smartphones. This is important because, contrary to popular belief, the majority of home burglaries take place during the day when most people are at work or school, so neighbors may not be around to prevent the intruder.
One of the downsides of motion detectors and smart cameras is that field of vision can be limited. According to Protect America, Inc., ‘95% of all home invasions require some sort of forceful entry, be that breaking a window, picking a lock, or kicking in a door’. If your property has a large number of windows, making it a vulnerable target, the use of a Glass Break Detector can be invaluable. These detectors listen for the sound of glass breaking (this can include tampered, wired, laminate, ordinary plate and more types) before triggering the alarm. In the past, the uptake of Glass Break Detectors was slowed by their tendency to trigger false alarms, but the technology has improved to minimize this. Now that the detectors are triggered less frequently, it is important to ensure that the batteries are designed for long periods of dormancy. Ultralife’s CR123A range are equipped to deal with infrequent and intense bursts of energy, without deteriorating quickly.
Finally, we come full circle, as there is now a successor to the peephole – the smart doorbell. Combining features of a traditional peephole and doorbell, when the smart doorbell is rung, or a motion sensor detects an approach to the door, it shows a live video feed to the property owner, allowing them to see who’s on the other side. However, as with most of the modern home security devices, the video feed may also be accessed from a smartphone app even when the resident is not at home.
With most smart home products, the batteries used vary between manufacturer. However, the considerations remain very similar. Choosing a power source that is reliable will reduce the likelihood of the device losing power as frequently. Furthermore, non-rechargeable batteries tend to offer a wider operating temperature, making them more suitable for use outdoors. If you own a large number of commercial or residential properties, speaking to a battery manufacturer can ensure that you get the best power products for home security devices, helping you to secure your assets and saving you money in the long-term.