How a Car Alarm Works

Author: dennis james

With this number of thefts each year, it is no wonder why car alarms are becoming a common item you get in new cars. There are sensors installed into the car that will set off the worst sounds you have ever heard in your life if someone tries to steal it. Most of the keys to start the car are now your remote control system to arm and disable your alarm. Your car will definitely be safe when you are away from it. 

The alarm systems of today work in a particular way and provide you with protection in about the same way. Some alarms are very complicated to understand because of the technical advancements of it and others are so simple you can put them in yourself. Either way, be prepared for the thief stealing the cars to be able to figure this out and stop the alarm before it goes off.  The basic alarm is a series of sensors installed that when triggered, will set off an alarm to deter whoever has malicious intent on taking your car. A simple alarm runs through the driver side door to sound off when it was opened. Simple installation of a switch, a few wires, and the siren part of the alarm is usually all that is required. 

The more complicated alarms have a more involved installation to them and are usually best left to professionals. This is because the amount of sensors installed are not only run by a simple switch but now added to the mix is pressure sensitive sensors, and motion detection pieces. Instead of one simple siren sound, your system has more than one so you can customize it for your needs, a battery for only use with the alarm so it can still operate even if your car battery is disabled, and a computer that watches all of the goings on with the alarm and causes it to go off when something is not right. The most important part of these systems is the computer. It is not a large unit like you would think but very compact. This computer shuts down certain switches to the lights, siren, or horn when you disable the alarm. The particular alarm you choose will be different from another brand because they each choose their own types of switches and components they attach to the computer itself.

It is so important to use another source of power for your alarm because some of the time, your car’s battery power may be cut by a thief. They think because they disable the regular battery connection to the alarm, it will be safe to steal. When there is another power battery hidden in the car, the alarm is still going to work. It would take them a few minutes to find the other source and thus it would take too long to be comfortable in knowing they will not get caught to steal the car. This extra power source also will set off the alarm if it is activated. This means when your primary battery source is cut or disabled, the alarm will sound. 

The choice is really up to you. The more expensive the car, the more you need a better alarm. Each will range in price from under a hundred dollars to upwards of a thousand or more. When you decide to buy a vehicle, see if there is a way you can have one already installed in it. This will not only give you protection, it will be covered under the car’s warranty. You might even get a break on your car insurance also.