Hi cwt,
I am a professional alarm installer with over 30years of experience. Let me first say that what you are doing is how I started in the business. I wanted to build my own alarm system way back when. We didn't have the internet to ask for assistance then.
Let me see if I can remember some of your questions.
Motion sensors: A pet immune motion sensor is a sensor with a microcontroller built into it. The controller has a library of know false alarm causes and every time it "sees" movement, aka temperature change, within its field of view it runs thru the library and makes a determination if it qualifies for an alarm condition. The curtain you refer to is not a curtain in the sense of a covering over windows. The curtain refers to the shape of the viewing pattern of the detector.
Glass break: The are several types of glass breakage sensors available today. Audio type which "listen" for the sounds (specific frequencies and time frames/durations of the sounds) of glass breakage. Another type is one that adhers to the glass with thin double stick tape and uses a piezo crystal flexing to detect the glass breaking. The last type that was always my favorite is the shock sensor that mounts on the frame of the window. Which type to use depends on several factors. If you have curtains or blinds between the glass and the audio type detector then it probably won't work because the window dressings will muffle the glass break sounds. The stick on type is fine but if there are multiple panes of glass then you need a sensor on each pane and then that looks like crap! The shock sensor type is great because it can cover up to 72 sq ft of window and multiple panes. This sensor also requires a separate processor. You can have up to 50 sensors on one processor. They are tricky to work with but like I said earlier they are my favorite.
If I had my choice today I would probably use window screens. They cost more but I like having my windows open and still having security.
There are alot of sensors available today. You have to look at each situation and decide what sensor would be better suited for your application. Every installer has their preferred brand of products. Manufacturer's trining on the proper use and installation is extremely critical to a false alarm free installation. I personnaly never recommend a person doing it themselves only because of the false alarm factor.
Hope all of this helps. you can PM me at
secser@ncweb.com if you need any further help.
BOBK
Added after 5 minutes:
Hi cwt,
I just went back to your previous posts. Are doing this for someone else or is it for yourself?
If you are doing it for someone else think first about one word>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> L I A B I L I T Y <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I think about it all the time. If there is a loss to the homeowner and you installed the alarm system for them and it is proven that the system was ON and it didn't work, guess what? Their insurance company will come after you for their loss.
Just some thoughts!
BobK