Home Security Systems Blog

The DSC Power 832 is an attractively priced home security system that includes a fixed icon LCD keypad as well as the DSC Bravo III digital motion detector and a single wall-mounted siren. There are four different keypads that can be used with the DSC Power 832, and the security system can be expanded from eight to as many as 32 zones. There are up to four high current outputs as well as a fully supervised output dedicated to the siren.

Communications capabilities include support for all formats including SIA and Contact ID as well as LINKS Cellular communication. The unit provides event initiated personal paging for those times that you are away from home; three telephone numbers and two account numbers can be stored. In addition, the DSC Power 832 supports central station two-way voice communication over a home intercom system.

The DSC Power 832 has received some mixed reviews from consumers. While many praise it’s low lost (around $170 MRSP) and its “sleek” appearance that blends in well with modern décor, many users complain about its relatively low level of user-friendliness. According to some homeowners who have purchased this particular model, learning how to program the DSC Power 832 effectively requires a great deal of effort. At least one consumer complained that it took him three days to understand the unit.

Another common complaint was a lack of updated features. According to some who have used earlier versions of this system, the current model is not a substantial improvement over the previous model. While the DSC Power 832 is capable of interfacing with a personal computer, this is accomplished via an outdated serial port. One consumer complained that he “had to look high and low for a computer old enough to support DSC’s outdated system to load their ‘newest’ software.” It is odd that the company failed to provide the unit with a USB port which standard for all modern PCs.

View the DSC Power 832 Owners Manual for additional information.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the number of fires in residential dwellings (one and two-family homes, apartment buildings, hotels and other boarding facilities) in 2007 was 414,000 - an increase of approximately 9.2% from 1998. During the same period, the direct dollar property losses   nearly doubled, going from $4.4 billion to over $7.5 billion.

It is worth noting however that the number of fire deaths and injuries over this same nine-year period have generally decreased; overall, these figures have declined by approximately 8.3%. Still, there were 2,895 deaths and 14,000 fire-related injuries during 2007.

The decline in the death and injury rate can be attributed to better fire alarm system monitoring technology, and points up the importance of such technology in your home. Although most of us use reasonable caution, home fires have been known to start from all sorts of causes - including short circuits in the defective wiring of the inferior appliances now manufactured in substandard facilities in China and Mexico. In fact, older televisions can be turned off and unplugged and still cause fires for up to 24 hours because of electrical energy stored in the transducer; in 2006, a number of Chinese-manufactured Dell laptops mysteriously exploded for no apparent reason.

When we are asleep, our senses are asleep as well; therefore, it is possible to burn alive (though asphyxiation usually occurs first - mercifully) without ever being aware of it.

Because heat, which rises and gathers toward the ceiling, is the first warning sign of a fire, a good fire alarm monitoring system should have heat detection sensors as well as smoke detection sensors. Ideally, these are mechanical and not electronic in nature, since a building fire can put the electrical system out of commission in short order. Otherwise, your heat and smoke detection systems, if hard-wired in to the home electrical system, must have battery backup; this battery should be replaced at least once every year.

Of course, heat sensors and smoke detectors are only one element of fire safety. Fire extinguishers should be kept charged and ready in the kitchen, the workshop and anywhere else a fire is likely to occur.  It’s also important to be familiar with all routes exiting the building as well as to have an escape plan. Be certain that you and all the members of the family are familiar with how to get out of the house and have a pre-arranged meeting place, should the worst happen.

The DSC Envoy home security system is a user-friendly wireless security system that also allows for family messaging and hands-free voice communication.   The perfect sized burglar alarm for an apartment or small to medium-sized house, the DSC Envoy security system offers quick installation as well as superior protection for you and your family.

DSC Envoy offers you the security of up to 32 wireless and 2 hardwired zones.  Sixteen wireless keyfobs are also possible with the flexible home security system.  Ease of use is a big part of why this security system is popular; it has 5 one-touch function keys, which can be programmed with up to 16 different options.  If you need help, the audio voice on the unit can prompt you through each feature that the system offers.  The backlit numeric keypad on the DSC Envoy makes it easy to read, and 3 LED indicators let you know when the security system is ready and armed.

For a family with pets, you can rest assured that your animals will not trigger the system:  the DSC Envoy security system is equipped with a wireless pet immune motion detector.  The system is set to let you know when changes occur; even if you are not at home, you can utilize the personal paging option so that you are paged the minute the system is disarmed or someone enters or exits the home.  We supervise your DSC Envoy security system continuously for radio frequency jamming, battery condition, system communication failures, tampering and zone faults, so that you know when there is a problem immediately. Our team will also dispatch rescue, police or fire emergency services to your home any time of the day or night as called for by the situation.

There are other convenient features that come with the DSC Envoy.  The security system comes with a family message center, alloying you to access your messages or change your message by using a touch-tone phone if you are away from home, or the console itself if you are at home.  The speaker has 3 adjustable volume levels, so you can make changes as needed.  Although there is a chime or voice message that will sound when doors and windows are opened and closed, it can be turned on or off with one button.  The ease of wireless keys allows you to set or disarm the system with the push of one button: other system functions can be added as you require. The system keeps track of the history of the 38 user access codes for you.

The DSC Envoy home security system provides you with the peace of mind that comes from the continual home alarm monitoring that is put in place with state of the art wireless security system technology.

View the DSC Envoy Owners Manual for additional information.