What is the Difference between a Burglar Alarm and an Intruder Alarm?

Burglar Alarm vs. Intruder Alarm

‘Burglar alarm’ and ‘intruder alarm’ are terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are some distinctions between the two. Both are integral to enhancing security by detecting unauthorised entries, yet they differ slightly in their design and application.

What is a Burglar Alarm?

A burglar alarm focuses on preventing unauthorised entry through doors and windows specifically. These systems typically consist of sensors placed at entry points that set off an alarm when disturbed. The main aim is to deter potential burglars and notify homeowners or authorities of a break-in attempt.

Armour Security have burglar alarm options available for the comprehensive protection of your home or business premises. Our professional team of engineers are here to help protect your premises and will happily solicit advice around integrated systems including remote alarm systems, video alarm systems and access control systems.

What is an Intruder Alarm?

An intruder alarm has a broader application compared to a burglar alarm. While it detects unauthorised entry through windows and doors like a burglar alarm, its protection covers a wider area. These alarms can accurately monitor interior spaces, restricted areas within a property and even large outdoor perimeters. This alarm type also utilises a range of sensors like motion detectors, glass break detectors and more to identify criminals.

The Key Differences

Scope of Protection

A burglar alarm will solely focus on protecting a property from burglaries or break-ins. It primarily detects forced entry or unauthorised access through doors, windows, or other entry points.

An intruder alarm on the other hand covers a larger scale of intrusions. This entails not only detecting unauthorised access by burglars, but also other types of intrusion like vandalism, sabotage, or an illegal presence within a secured area.

Detection Mechanisms

Taking a look at the technical components, intruder alarms and burglar alarms employ similar detection mechanisms, such as motion sensors, door/window contacts, or glass break detectors.

These sensors are built to pick up on specific types of physical disturbances that indicate both attempted and actual property break-ins.

Notification and Response

Both systems function by triggering an audible or visual alarm when an intrusion is detected. Additionally, modern systems for both alarm types may have built-in features like sending notifications to the property owner’s smartphone or directly alerting a security company.

While both these alarms share some similarities, the core difference surrounds the scope of these alarm’s application. Burglar alarms are primarily concerned with entry points, whereas intruder alarms provide a more extensive monitoring solution.

Armour Security provides complete protection for homes and businesses, offering burglar and intruder alarm solutions to ensure the advanced safeguarding of your property and possessions. To arrange your free survey, please get in touch with our experts at Armour Security today by calling us on 020 8364 1717 or alternatively, fill in our online contact form.