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How do I Choose the Best Wireless Driveway Alarm?

Troy Holmes
Troy Holmes

A motion detector alarm system is a good method of monitoring vehicle traffic coming into a driveway. This monitoring system can be configured to work with lights, radio alarms, and other home surveillance equipment. The best wireless driveway alarm is one that requires little maintenance and one that is not difficult to configure and setup.

A typical wireless driveway alarm includes two primary components. These are the sensors and the radio receiver. The sensor is a special unit that is placed an obscure location on the driveway, normally near the entrance. During setup, care should be taken to ensure the distance between the sensor and receiver is limited to the maximum suggested range. When an object crosses the beam of the sensor a radio transmission is sent to the receiver, which triggers the alarm.

Woman holding a book
Woman holding a book

Some of the best driveway alarms include an electromagnetic sensor, which only detects metal objects. This form of alarm helps to ensure the system does not receive false positives from trees or small animals. This alarm requires either solar power or small batteries to operate.

The wireless driveway alarm motion sensor is typically mounted to a building or a post. This device must be free from obstruction to properly detect moving objects. Most sensors can transmit radio alarm signals as far as 440 yards (400 meters).

A driveway alarm system will not prevent vehicles from entering property. These systems simply provide a notification of an approaching automobile. This is the same tool and technique that is used at fast-food drive-thrus.

A wireless driveway alarm is simple to install and only requires a few tools. These include a screwdriver, batteries, and a small hammer. The receiver should be located in the home, where it can be heard. This device is not water resistant and should be secured in an interior location. The receiver is typically plugged into a electric outlet for power.

There are multiple tones available with a wireless alarm system. These alert tones will chime when an object triggers the motion beam in the driveway. Popular sounds include bells, chimes, and short musical samples.

The wireless driveway alarm can also be connected to a home security system. This unit is only a small part of a full system package. Most advanced packages include intercoms, lights, videos, and alarms throughout the estate. When an object triggers the driveway motion sensor, lights can be automatically illuminated to provide additional security and lights for guest.

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