Driveway sensor alarms

Information on Driveway Alarms

Driveway alarms are remote alarm systems that are triggered when someone enters your driveway or garden. Driveway alarms are relatively simple to install, and you can probably find one for less than $100. They are battery-operated and use motion detection technology to send a signal to the receiver, usually located inside your home, when somebody walks onto your driveway or the walkway leading up to your house. Inside, the alarm will issue chimes or some sort of audible signal when someone is approaching. The receiver is typically not battery-operated, relying instead on a nearby outlet, but some models have a battery backup in case of a power outage.

The range on driveway alarms will vary depending on which model you buy. Expect at least 100 feet; more expensive alarms will be able to send signals a greater distance. Before you go shopping, you may want to measure the distance between the location where you will place your alarm and the indoor location where your receiver will be placed.

Simple driveway alarms typically only come with one transmitter and one receiver. More complex models may come with multiple transmitters so you can put alarms on multiple driveways or walkways leading up to your house.

Sensors on driveway alarms are usually designed to withstand different kinds of weather, but should still be placed in a relatively protective area. Most driveway alarms will be designed to be waterproof, able to withstand snow and rain, but sunlight can sometimes disturb their effectiveness. Most driveway alarms are programmed not to be triggered when small animals (for example, under 40 pounds) fly or walk past. However, blowing branches and shrubs may trigger the alarm, so it is recommended that you place it where branches will not be blown into the detection zone on a windy day (or night--you don't want your alarm waking you up unless there's really an intruder in your driveway).

Make sure you read the user's manual that accompanies the driveway alarm you purchase; this will help you place your alarm in an optimal position.