An IoT-based home security system is a necessity for modern-day houses, as it is considered a great tool for safeguarding properties.
Gone are the days to double- or triple-check the door locks and windows before going out of your home.
Live in a world full of convenience and advantages.
With only a few IoT devices, you can confirm all-around home security and take one step forward towards becoming a smart citizen by adopting the Internet of Things.
As a part of a smart home, an IoT security system gives complete control of everything inside and outside the house to the owner.
At present, the home automation market is undergoing a full-scale transformation. As an IoT development company, we also wanted to share our insights on the same.
At PsiBorg, we believe that IoT has answers for all industries, and the home security system is a part of IoT.
So let’s discuss everything about the smart home and IoT home security system.
WHAT IS A SMART HOME?
The smart home is a setup where all the appliances and devices are connected through the internet and can be controlled remotely. It allows the users to control devices around their house from their smartphones or tablets. Also, the IoT-based home security system could be triggered automatically based on the output of the sensor system embedded in the house.
WHY IS IOT BASED HOME SECURITY SYSTEM REQUIRED?
A home is a place where we feel the most secure. But with the rise in crime, it has become immensely important to guard our homes at all times, especially when asleep or away. Not just the external factors, but our house remains vulnerable to mishaps that can happen due to gas leakage or fire breakout, or flooding due to pipe leakage when we are absent. With the advent of IoT in home automation, IoT home security has also become a very important feature, probably the most crucial one.
SENSORS USED IN IOT-BASED HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS ARE
There are various sensors that are used for the detection of various parameters to provide you with a secure home. From Motion detection to LPG gas detection, your house can provide all necessary alerts even when you are not around on a smartphone app. The home automation app lets you monitor and control lights, Fans, scheduling of AC or Geyser, and send alerts when required.
MOTION SENSORS IN AUTOMATED HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS
Motion sensor, as the name suggests, detects motion and movement in the area. These sensors act as your extra pair of eyes and alert you when there is movement in and around your home. This can be especially helpful when you’re not around the house. You can be immediately alerted in case of any suspicious activities and if you see a known face and want to let them in, you can immediately send a signal to let them in.
There are various kinds of motion sensors being used, like-
PASSIVE INFRARED (PIR) SENSORS
The most widely used sensors for home security with IoT, these sensors detect the infrared radiations that are emitted from the bodies of humans and animals. When the temperature in the sensor’s field of view rises from room temperature to body temperature and then goes back again to room temperature multiple times, the sensor is tripped.
MICROWAVE (MW) SENSORS
This sensor sends out microwave pulses that reflect back in the same phase normally but when it bounces off a moving body a phase shift occurs when it reflects.
DUAL TECHNOLOGY MOTION SENSOR
This motion sensor makes use of multiple technologies. It generally has two sensors and both the sensors need to be triggered in order to detect movement. This helps reduce instances of false alarms.
GAS SENSOR (MQ-2 GAS SENSOR)
This sensor is suitable for gas leakage detection. It can detect hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, propane, alcohol, smoke, and LPG concentrations anywhere between 200 and 10,000ppm. It is a highly sensitive sensor and has a fast response time. The sensitivity of this sensor can be adjusted using the potentiometer. A change in resistor when gas comes in contact with it is what enables the sensor to detect these gases in the air.
FLAME SENSOR (IR FLAME SENSOR)
This sensor is used to respond in case of a fire. The response can include activating the fire alarm, fire suppression system, and deactivating fuel lines. IR-based sensors are highly sensitive and can detect infrared light with a wavelength ranging from 700 nm to 1000nm. The sensitivity can be varied on the potentiometer board.
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
Generally used in the kitchen, these sensors are triggered when a certain threshold temperature is reached. If the temperature goes above the temperature, the fan is switched on automatically. This sensor can also work as a smart thermostat that gives the user control over the heating and cooling of the room from any location. The temperature sensor is a must-have in an IoT based home security system and is also a great way to conserve energy as well.
WATER SENSOR (MOISTURE DETECTION SENSOR)
Extreme moisture and temperature levels can cause leaks and risk the freezing of pipes. So, these moisture detection sensors are placed inside sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc to detect water leakage. If the sensor detects unwanted water, it sends a notification immediately.
AUTOMATED DOOR AND WINDOW ALONG WITH VIDEO DOORBELL
A video doorbell is basically a camera attached near your doorbell so that you can see who is trying to get into your house, if it is someone you want to let in then the door and window sensors let you give access to them remotely. These sensors can alert against potential intruders as they can detect a break-in attempt.
Automated garage doors are another variation of this sensor. Why keep wondering if you left the garage door open when you can control it from your phone, from anywhere.
Automated doors and windows combined with motion sensors can make an adequate anti-burglar system. With motion sensors detecting movement outside the house and door and window sensors sensing break-in attempts, an alarm can be set off to caution the people in and around the house. It will also send you alerts to your mobile phone so that you can immediately call the police.
HOW DOES THE AUTOMATED HOME SECURITY SYSTEM WORK?
IoT based Home security systems have 3 major components-
- Hardware
- Software
- Communication protocols
All three parts need to work in harmony for the automation system to work properly. Appropriate hardware has to be chosen keeping in mind the requirements of the homeowner, along with proper software and communication protocols.
All these components are connected through a Control Panel. The Control panel is a computer that controls the security systems, communicates with all the different devices, is responsible for triggering alarms in case of any emergency, and communicates with an alarm monitoring system.
All the above-mentioned sensors, through adequate communication protocols, connect with the control panel to send out alerts in case of any anomaly. It is also responsible for storing the data in the cloud.
TYPES OF SMART HOME SECURITY IOT DEVICES
Various devices can be part of smart home solutions, but they do not help you monitor your place. Thus, below are the devices that are essential for an IoT-based home security system.
1. SMART CAMERA’S
The first thing that comes to mind while talking about security is security cameras. But irrespective of the old security cameras, the “smart cameras” are wirelessly connected and so are accessible from anywhere. These cameras can be gate cameras, CCTV cameras, in-house cameras, or child monitors.
2. BIOMETRIC LOCKS
Biometric locks have become mainstream these days and are widely used in smart offices and smart buildings. These biometric locks are an essential part of smart home security, and with them, users can enter the house with a fingerprint/facial scan. These biometric locks will soon eliminate physical keys.
3. VIDEO DOOR ENTRY SYSTEMS
One very recent entry in the smart home security market is the video door entry system, through which the house owner can interact through video. This allows the users to control access to their homes on-site and even when they are away from them through their smartphones. These video door entry systems can also be integrated with IoT voice control by connecting with voice assistants like Alexa and Siri.
4. MANAGEMENT PANEL
As the name suggests, the management panels are usually IoT dashboards for overall home security management. Smart panels, in the form of smart tablets, allow users to access any device connected to the Internet of Things. These management panels are an important part of the IoT surveillance system.
Therefore, with a management panel, the users will have access to and can control all smart devices through the internet.
WHY YOU NEED SMART HOME SECURITY: BENEFITS
Home security is an essential part of our lives, and making it “smart” will bring more convenience to our lives. After all, we cannot leave our houses unguarded.
So, some significant benefits that an IoT-based home security system offers are:
– Security (Builds a digital fortress for peace of mind and protection)
– Comfort (offers personalized one-click luxury for ultimate comfort)
– Energy Savings (A smart and sustainable solution for cost-effective living)
– Assisted Living (Offers independency with modern technical support)
To Conclude,
IoT has not only made our homes more secure but has also given homeowners more access to their houses. It has them covered on all fronts, from a house break-in to a fire mishap. This automation system is not only restricted to homes. Today, most offices and commercial buildings also make use of this technology to keep their infrastructure safe.
Want to get your home automated to enhance security? Reach out to us at PsiBorg, an end-to-end IoT solution provider company, and we’ll help you out with IoT products and services to keep you and your home safe.
FAQ
The term “home automation” simply means having automatic and electronic control of house devices and features. Thus, a home automation and home security system will allow you to easily control the features of the home through the Internet and make your life more convenient.
IoT based home automation system allows one to use smart devices like thermostats, light bulbs, and security cameras and monitor and control these devices through a centralized control panel.
