Let’s take a moment and talk about a specific component that is often overlooked in the best security system, but is still immensely useful.  They’ve basically hopped-up versions of the safety devices found on your garage door, where if there is something in the way of the door at ground level the garage door stops and goes back up.

They’ve called photoelectric detectors, and they’re very common in the commercial security business.  All they do is tell you when something passes between them.  That’s it.  So simple, yet so useful!  Let’s look at a few examples.

Some people have long driveways that lead up to their homes, and they want to know when someone is driving up, for social and security reasons.  Placing two of these sensors at the base of the driveway (or anywhere along the way) will do just that.  Hooking them into your home security system allows you to program a response (a sound, a light, etc..) that tells you a vehicle has passed between the sensors, and you’re about to have visitors.

I’ve seen applications where someone has a shop in an exterior structure where they are often by themselves, and most of the time wearing ear protection.  No one likes getting startled, especially when using power tools.  A great application for these is across the door to enter the shop.  They had a very basic panel that the sensors were wired into, and when the plane was broken a red light bulb was turned on.  By this method they knew when someone had entered the workshop.

The applications are almost endless, and the price for these types of sensors is very reasonable.  Short distance detectors can be had for less than $50.  Longer distances, up to 500 feet, can be found for around $300.  If you’re looking to have the best security system in the neighborhood, you’ll want to add one of these for sure.