--- title: "How Burglar Alarms Work: Sensors, Panel & Siren | Qyvea Kenya" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/how-burglar-alarms-work-kenya description: "How burglar alarms work: control panel, door contacts, motion sensors, sirens, panic buttons, arming modes and phone alerts, explained simply." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/how-burglar-alarms-work-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. 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An alarm only protects you if it makes noise before the intruder is inside. Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - Panel + sensors + siren + alerts. - Door/window contacts protect the perimeter. - Motion sensors cover rooms. Quick answer A burglar alarm is a control panel connected to sensors. When the system is armed and a door contact opens or a motion sensor detects movement, the panel sounds the siren and sends an alert to your phone (and to anyone else you choose). Panic buttons trigger it manually even when the system is off. [Photo: Yosuke Ota / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/y2eGi21ySKs) Why this matters now ## Each unprotected night is a night the first warning is the damage. ### If you wait - Intruders move through the house unheard - You find out in the morning - Valuables in reach for as long as they like ### What you get - Sensors on the doors and windows that matter - A siren that sounds at once - Alerts to the people who can act [Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome](/products/dahua-hdcvi-2mp-dome-camera-14357 "Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome Camera")[Electric Fence Alarm Siren](/products/electric-fence-alarm-siren-120db-outdoor-96 "Electric Fence Alarm Siren 120dB Outdoor")[Nemtek Merlin 1 Zone](/products/nemtek-merlin-1-zone-keypad-3694 "Nemtek Merlin 1 Zone Keypad") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20How%20Burglar%20Alarms%20Work.%20I%20want%20a%20burglar%20alarm%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - Panel + sensors + siren + alerts. - Door/window contacts protect the perimeter. - Motion sensors cover rooms. - Arm fully when away, partly at night. - Backup battery keeps it working in power cuts. ## The parts Burglar alarm Door contactswindows ~ motion sensors ~ panic buttons Control panel / hubwith backup battery Sirenphone app alerts ~ GSM ## Arming modes | Mode | What's active | | --- | --- | | Away | All sensors | | Stay / night | Doors and windows; motion off where people sleep | | Disarmed | Only panic buttons and 24-hour zones | See [types of burglar alarms](https://qyvea.co.ke/types-of-burglar-alarms-kenya) and [burglar alarm installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/burglar-alarm-system-installation-kenya). ## Frequently asked questions Does a burglar alarm call the police? The alarm alerts you and anyone you set up; police or a response company are contacted separately unless you subscribe to a monitoring service. Do alarms work in a power cut? Yes, panels have backup batteries and wireless sensors have their own batteries. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [Alarm Systems · Technology Explained Types of Burglar and Intruder Alarms Wired, wireless, GSM and smart alarms compared for homes and businesses. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/types-of-burglar-alarms-kenya)[Alarm Systems · Buying Guide Best Burglar Alarm in Kenya: Comparing the Systems We Supply Hikvision AX Pro, Risco, Texecom, Secolink and GSM smart alarms side by side. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/best-burglar-alarm-kenya)[Alarm Systems · Troubleshooting Burglar Alarm Not Working or Won't Turn Off Silence the siren safely, then find out why: false alarms, beeping, faults and arming problems. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/burglar-alarm-not-working-kenya) ### Related services [Burglar Alarm Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/burglar-alarm-system-installation-kenya) ### Related products [Browse the Qyvea shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) ### Related projects [Real Qyvea case studies](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#case-studies) [← Previous**Burglar Alarm for Diaspora-Owned Homes**](https://qyvea.co.ke/burglar-alarm-for-diaspora-owned-homes-kenya)[Next →**: How Burglars Break In (and How to Stop Them)**](https://qyvea.co.ke/how-burglars-break-in-kenya-and-how-to-stop-them) ## Need this system installed? Talk to Qyvea. We design, install and maintain it. Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)