[Philkotse guide] Understanding how your car alarm works

A vehicle is being stolen or broken into every 44 seconds in the United States while in the Philippines, car theft cases have dropped by almost 50 percent this year. Although good news for us Filipinos, car theft is still an ongoing problem and the daily dilemma of securing one’s car is one reason why now, more than ever, car owners need to be vigilant in securing their cars. One easy solution would be with car alarms.

A car alarm is designed to prevent theft of your actual car and whatever valuables you have inside it. Car alarms are meant to send a warning to the car owner and stop the thief from progressing their malicious actions. Car alarms are triggered differently and are now equipped with additional features.

A car alarm is designed to prevent theft of your actual car and whatever valuables you have inside it

>>> Check out: Protect your car with car security systems - What's your answer?

At its modest form, a car alarm is a sensor or a network of sensors joint to some sort of a siren. A simple alarm would usually have a switch located on the driver’s door and wired in a manner that if someone attempts to open the door, that siren would be triggered and ear-piercing wailing will commence attracting attention to the unknowing public.

Today, car alarms have gone more sophisticated and complicated but more user-friendly. The alarms today are more than the wires and the triggers but are now composed of:

• Sensors in a combination of pressure sensors, motion detectors, and switches
• Radio receivers that enable wireless control from the key fob
• Sirens that can produce a variety of sounds with one unique to your car
• An auxiliary battery so even if the main battery is disconnected, the alarm would still be operating
• A computer control unit serving as the brain of the system where the constant monitoring happens and triggers the alarm as needed

Today, car alarms have gone more sophisticated and complicated but more user-friendly

>>> Also check: Car alarm in the Philippines: Installation guide, How it works, How to stop it & What to buy.

Focusing on the brain or the computer control unit since it is the most advanced component, its main function is to close the switches that can activate the alarm devices. These can be the headlights, the horn, the installed siren – any certain switch that power sensing devices that can be opened or closed.

In essence, the main difference between security systems is the sensor being used and the devices that are wired to it and into the computer control unit. The computer system and the main alarm are usually wired in the car’s primary battery pack but for convenience and practicality, there is also an identified backup power source as well.

This secondary battery source comes into action when the main power source is cut off. This usually happens when the battery cables are intentionally clipped. This is a very obvious indication of a possible intrusion thus it will trigger the brain and in a matter of seconds, the alarm will kick-off.

This secondary battery source comes into action when the main power source is cut off

Triggers for a car alarm can come in various shapes and sources. As car alarms are designed to alert, its filtering and validation of a legitimate threat are considered low in the ranking. There is a lot that can set off a car alarm. It can be because of a stray cat, sudden loud noises to even you as the car owner neglecting to disarm it before you open the door.  

Triggers for a car alarm can come in various shapes and sources

>>> You also want to know: 6 steps to disable your car's anti-theft alarming system.

It will be a good idea to get to know your car alarm and what are its possible set offs so you don’t become your neighborhood nuisance but an advocate of domestic tranquility and safety.

As shared above, the brain, the sensor, and the switch or remote works together in arming and disarming the alarm, there are more advanced alarms nowadays that can function as immobilizers as well. This would mean that the car will not be able to start all the while, the car’s paging system providing a quick notification to the owner that the alarm is triggered and activated.  

Your car alarm and what are its possible set offs so you don’t become your neighborhood nuisance

Here are other kinds of sensors usually being incorporated in our modern-day cars:

• Voltage sensors meanwhile is another form of a car alarm that utilizes single voltage sensors to identify if there is a theft or break-in crack.
• Shock sensors are a little bit common in car alarm systems. This sensor is triggered by vibration or shock when a foreign entity is showing signs of moving in or gaining access to the car. These small movements are likely to trigger the alarm. Shock sensors can either be single or dual in form. The single ones are only able to detect obvious and heavy impact like on the door being forced open or the glass breaking. The dual-stage form shock sensor is definitely more sensitive and can trigger the alarm upon light impact with the alarm increasing in decibels once it meets a heavier blow. This kind is more prone to false alarms coming from animals jumping on the car or possibly the vibrations coming from heavier vehicles or sudden loud noises.
• Hand and door sensors are simple shifts strategically placed on your car’s hood, trunk, and doors. When opened, the alarm kicks in and triggers that loud siren.

Shock sensor is triggered by vibration or shock when a foreign entity is showing signs of moving in or gaining access to the car

>>>Tips for you: 3 effective ways to enhance your car safety.

With so many available car alarms in the market, it is best to do thorough research first and see one that would best suit you. It is also very critical to note that car alarms will not completely eradicate intrusion and theft.

It adds another layer of security for you so you can be alerted in real-time if something is going on but with the advancing skills of thieves right now, it will really be against time as you activate a possible car theft.

For more useful tips and advice, don't forget to visit Philkotse.com for more!