The popularity of the home burglar alarm continues to grow in the US as more and more Americans install alarms to ensure the safety and security of their family and property.

Many Americans go for the simple do-it-yourself system, which can be wireless or hard-wired. The alarm, in this system, goes off when an intruder breaks the electrical circuit. This triggers a siren that is loud enough to wake up the entire neighborhood.

The buyer can choose an alarm system that uses an open circuit or a closed circuit. In an open circuit system, the circuit is completed when a window or door is opened, and the alarm is triggered. In a closed circuit system, the exact opposite happens. When a window or door is opened, the circuit's connection is broken and the alarm goes off.

The more sophisticated burglar alarms are using motion sensors. These sensors use infra-red rays to sense any movement. Any changes are transmitted to a control panel, which analyzes the signal. If the signal is above the "high suspicion" levels, the alarm is triggered.

Several Americans prefer to install both motion sensors and electric circuit-based alarms, to have the added protection for their homes. The advantage of such a system is that large, open spaces (like halls) can be better guarded with sensors.

A lot of home burglar alarm systems use video cameras. These cameras are mounted at strategic places around the house. Their job is to transmit any images to a central monitor in the house for screening.

Several home security companies also offer centralized monitoring of the premises. The home owner, in this case, need not worry about security but can leave it to the security company. When the alarm is triggered, the security company informs the local police. In some cases, the company also rushes its own emergency team to help the customer.

Some of the more popular burglar alarm systems are:

1. Single premises alarm systems. These are meant to warn customers of specific dangers. These alarms include battery operated door wedge alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, smoke detectors, etc.

2. Local alarm systems. These are designed to sound a siren to warn the homeowners about the presence of an intruder.

3. Telephone dialer systems. These are designed to dial a pre-programmed number if a particular alarm is triggered. Usually these systems can be programmed to call up to four numbers, and play a recorded message requesting help.

4. Continuously monitored security systems. These are definitely the most hi-tech and effective systems. They are also the most expensive systems. When an alarm is triggered, the monitoring team of the security company that installed the alarm alerts the police.