Where to hide/install main controller

[zzazzles]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie here so please pardon any stupid questions =)

I just got an HAI OmniPro II, and I'm going to install it myself. I've pretty much decided that it should go in the garage, but I'm having trouble pinpointing where exactly to place it. On one hand, I want to make it accessible; but on the other hand, wouldn't I want to hide it so that burglars can't get to it?

I searched for this, and found plenty of ideas of where/how to hide sirens and such. But, wouldn't a seasoned burglar know to go find the main panel and just trash it? Or they could power it off, disconnect it from the battery if they're "nice." Am I missing something? Or is it in fact what people do--hide it in a place that burglars can't easily access?

 

[tmbrown97]

The main panel is usually pretty easy to find - depends on the area and age of the home; aftermarket installers in my area put it in the hall closet or the master - most actually are in the master, and new homes are built with dedicated outlets up high in the closet for the box. The point is, the alarm should go off and dial into the central station before the burglar reaches the panel - and at that point all they can do is silence the alarm, not stop the cops from being called. In a limited-time situation, if a burglar enters a home and the alarm sounds, rarely are they going to worry about getting up and disabling the sirens - they usually will grab what they can and run.

 

[video321]

Mine is in my laundry closet. The panels have an additional set screw keeping them from easily being pryed open. To make sure they aren't too concerned about disabling the panel, a screamer is there to make the point

 

[project_x]

Mine is under the stairs, but you need to move the sliding book case and swing out the hinged, wall mounted 4 post av-rack for my centralized matrix, sat receivers, server....I can get to it easily, but it would be a hassle for a burglar, and if I ever finish it, I'll have a sensor on the bookcase to immediately go off....

 

[tmbrown97]

Mine is in my laundry closet. The panels have an additional set screw keeping them from easily being pryed open. To make sure they aren't too concerned about disabling the panel, a screamer is there to make the point

I've considered throwing an extra screamer inside hooked to a tamper switch - that way if they open the door, they get another blast...

 

[video321]

My "to do list" includes adding a contact on the enclosure... just in case. That way as soon as the pry the door away just enough the zone will trip and the fun begins!

 

[Del91574]

The key isn't to booby trap the enclosure...it's not going to perform anything on a monitored system. Tampering an enclosure is usually to keep unwanted persons from accessing the hardware without someone knowing, same with back tampering an enclosure (keeping someone from prying a panel from a wall).

System design criteria should be placing the panel in a location that can't be accessed easily without triggering a zone. The goal is to get the signal out before the panel can be compromised. I don't get why everyone is hung up on piezo screamers as a deterrent.

Screws and locks on the can only keep the honest guys out.

 

[tmbrown97]

All I can say - because it's fun! It's one more way to screw with the guy who's trying to screw with you... that's all there is to it at the end of the day.