Use Seco-Larm Photobeam Detectors to secure your home or business!
One of the best ways to secure something is to secure the perimeter around it. If such a system stops an intruder (or at least alerts someone) after the perimeter is broken, the problem can be dealt with before the intruder enters a building or dwelling. These devices can also be used in non-security applications, such as a manufacturing line, where the device detects an object arriving at a given location in the manufacturing process and triggers a device that picks up the object. Seco-Larm provides a variety of photobeam detectors for almost any budget, allowing you several options to secure your business or home.
Entry Level: The E-961-S90W
The Seco-Larm E-961-S90W is a single photobeam detector with a range of up to 90 feet. This range would not be good for protecting anything but the smallest of perimeters. More likely, you would use it across a short span, such as a roadway or door entrance. It would also be useful in a manufacturing environment to detect objects passing through a specific location. The weatherproof design of this model meets IP-66 standards for use in outdoor conditions ranging from -13° to 140°F (-25° to 60° C).
The Next Level: Twin Photobeam Detectors
If you want to secure a distance wider than 90 feet, then Seco-Larm photobeam detectors with twin beams are the way to go. One of the problems that they greatly reduce is the number of false alarms. Since the unit transmits two beams and both must be broken simultaneously to trip the alarm, you are less likely to have leaves, birds, rain, snow and other non-breaches trigger an alert.
Seco-Larm provides four models of twin photobeam detectors with ranges from 90 to 390 feet: E-960-D90Q, E-960-D190Q, E-960-D290Q and E-960-D390Q. All four models have an anti-frost system that can function outdoors in temperatures from from -13° to 131°F (-25° to 55° C) and have a case design that filters out sunlight. Installation is easy as the units come with a built-in laser alignment system and U-brackets for pole installation.
Top of the Line: Quad Photobeam Detectors
The quad series of Seco-Larm photobeam detectors provide superior range and more reliable detection than twin detector models. All four beams on a quad system must be tripped simultaneously to trigger an alarm event.
Statistically speaking, an installation where the units are 500 feet apart has more opportunity for false alarm events like birds and leaves than one where the units are 190 feet apart. This is why the two beam models only go up to 390 feet.
Seco-Larm provides four models of quad photobeam detectors with ranges from 165 to 660 feet: E-964-Q165Q, E-964-Q330Q, E-964-Q495Q and E-964-Q660Q. They feature an anti-frost system with a heater, allowing the unit to function in extreme temperatures from -13° to 131°F (-25° to 55° C). LEDs on the unit provide information about strength of signal, weak receivers, poor alignment or a broken beam. Installation is done with the help of a laser beam and audible alignment system.
What Should You Buy?
There is no quick and dirty answer to this question, since no two sites are alike when it comes to securing a perimeter. A site on a hilly terrain, for example, may require more units close together than a site on a flat terrain because of line of sight issues. If you have roadways leading to your site, you may want to use a combination of single beam units to alert when a car passes through, complemented with twin or quad units to secure the perimeter.
There is some overlap in the range of twin and quad models that also figures into the buying decision. A configuration in a rural location with windy conditions where false alarm events from birds and leaves are more likely may find a quad beam system preferable. On the other hand, an installation in a warehouse may do fine with a twin beam system.
This is not a decision to be taken likely as the quad beam model is considerable more expensive than twin beam model rated for the same distance. Suppose you had a span of 250 feet that you wanted to secure. Both the quad beam E-964-Q330Q and the twin beam E-960-D290Q are the lowest priced models in their respective categories rated to cover that distance, but the quad beam model ($290) costs twice as much as the twin beam model ($145) rated for the same distance. If you knew that the twin beam model met the needs of your site, you would have a hard time justifying the cost of a quad beam installation that wasn't necessary.
Seco-Larm photobeam detectors are a great solution for protecting perimeters or simply detecting the presence of an object or person. 'One size fits all' is not a good rule for buying detectors since no two installations are the same, and since it is easy to waste money if you don't do your homework before buying.