Avert Vehicle Theft & Damage - Car Alarms

Car alarms are electronic devices installed in vehicles for protection against theft. These are usually triggered by moving focal parts of the car. Subsequently, a high volume sound will emit from the car to warn the owner. Many car alarms nowadays are installed by car manufacturers as an important feature and are called OEM alarms. If your car is an older model, it is possible that it doesn’t have a car alarm. Aftermarket car alarms can then be purchased and installed in your car. How do car alarms work? This usually involves different parts and steps.

History of Car Alarms

Car alarms have been around since the early 20^th century when stealing cars became rampant. Car theft alarms invented in the 1920s can be considered as the ancestor for the modern car alarm. During this time, a Nebraskan inventor was able to devise an automobile-theft alarm that used the drive shaft to operate a bell or a horn signal if and when a car is improperly moved. Nowadays, car alarms are highly sophisticated and sensitive which involves emission of high volume sounds such as verbal warning, horns or sirens, notifying the car owner through a pager and even stopping the car from running altogether using electrical circuits.

OEM Car Alarms

Car alarms are categorized into OEMs or original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket. OEM car alarms are directly installed into the vehicles and are usually armed and disarmed using the vehicle’s keyless entry remote. However, old car models which do not have pre-installed car alarms have to use aftermarket alarms which function by overriding a switch mounted in a hidden location.

How Car Alarms Work

How do car alarms work? They usually work using one or more sensors connected to sirens. This is triggered when the door is opened without using a disarming device. Most modern alarm systems now consist of an array of sensors (switches, pressure sensors & motion detectors), sirens, radio receiver, auxiliary battery for the alarm, and a computer control unit. All of this work together to protect your car from theft and sound if somebody bumps into your car or is suspiciously near your vehicle.