Security Buzzer

Security Buzzer questions and answers

Learn more about Security Buzzer at Home Security Questions.

Q: If there are security doors on your apt's outside door does the landlord have to supply you with a buzzer?
I live in an apartment building with security doors which is great but the only problem is there isn't a doorbell or buzzer for my guests or deliveries (be it packages or pizza) to ring to let me know they are here and they can't get into the door without a key. Does anyone know if there are any laws about this? I live in Wisconsin and any help would be greatly appreciated!

A: If not, you can get a wireless buzzer for about $18.00 from Ace hardware but then, it can get stolen. Check with your county court house and the building codes section.

Q: will a UPS driver call me if I tell them the buzzer to my apartment doesn't work?
I am expecting a package and my security door buzzer doesn't work. If I leave a note on it asking that they call me will they do it? and how do I know if a signature is required? UPS said they won't leave it at the apartment clubhouse if a signature is required.

A: No, they never call If they cannot reach you they will leave a slip that they attempted delivery Alternately, call them an arrange to pick up at their depot

Q: What makes security buzzers go off at stores.?
My dad causes these buzzers to go off in almost every store he enters and exits. What could be causing this.

A: Thats due to RFID tags or strips (Radio Frequency Identification Data). These come in almost everything now adays. Does he carry around anything with him besides his keys/wallet/cellphone? Some products (Such as deodorant) have tags under the label that aren't always deactivated. All I can suggest is to go through all the items he carries around or wears (including the shoes!) and look for any small white or silver tags or stickers or indentations under labels to see if you can find them.

Q: Do you stop for the anti-theft buzzer in a retail store?
Whenever I am exiting a retail store and the security buzzer sounds I tend to keep walking because I know that I didnt steal anything and I have nothing to prove to anyone. But I see so many other people who will just stand there and WAIT for someone to come search their bags. Its one thing if a security guard is right there asking to search your bags but unless someone stops me I keep walking out the door. Even if the clerk is calling me to come back I will only stop if they chase me out to the parking lot.

A: With all the internal sensors they go off all the time. I don,t stop unless i'm asked. By the way I'm reporting the racist comment from above.

Q: Have you set the buzzer off at the airports security for wearing an underwire bra?


A: Oh my gosh that has never happened to me and I would be so embarrassed if it did! What do they do, strip search you?!

Q: How to make a home security electrical circuit.?
Hi, i'm trying to figure how to make a home security circuit. I can't figure how to make a buzzer go off if a door/window is opened. Am i right in thinking i'm going to need a parallel circuit with with 2 resistors with a higher resistor above the door (higher resistor meaning with more resistance) and a lower resistor on the door for when the door's closed. Thanks

A: Depends on how complex you want to get. The easy way is with magnetic switches. The switch is next to the magnet when the door or window is closed and in the open position. When the magnet is moved away from the switch because the door or window is opened, the switch closes and the buzzer sounds off. Each switch would be on it's own parallel circuit. For a little better security, wire the switch so it is closed when the door or window is closed. The switch opens when the door or window is opened, releasing a relay that then closes to activate the buzzer. This way, you get notified if the circuit is cut. There are many more ways, some actually measure the resistance of the circuit and alarm if it changes, etc.

Q: what are the security buzzers on clothing at department stores called?


A: Security Tags, or theft prevention devices.

Q: how do i change the setup on a 3 wire buzzer to a 2 wire buzzer?
i got a 3 wire buzzer from a smoke alarm and i was wondering how i could change it to a 2 wire buzzer so i can make a security system for my room

A: The other wire should be an option for loudness. Just do trial and error.

Q: Wanting to terminate our lease A.S.A.P - threats and personal security purposes.
When I was 6 months pregnant with my son, we moved to a new apartment complex, miles away from our hometown, to a place we know nothing about, for my husband's work. The neighboring town (Detroit, MI) has a bad rep, and so does the other neighboring town (Ypsilanti, MI). There are gang activities and several daily murders and shootings, child abductions, etc. When 8 months pregnant with my son, I had a male come to my door saying ' I want your baby. ' The police were contacted and did not find this man, but he came back again about an hour later saying the same. Since we have had several fires in the complex (2 within 4 days, plus 2 in the following weeks), a murder in the complexes, and several break-ins. In Detroit, about 20 minutes away, a pregnant woman was just cut open and the baby removed, her murdered and the baby barely made it but is now alive, they found the child and the mother after she had died. About 2 nights ago we had a rapid, loud beating on our door. My husband was home this time thankfully, and he went to the door to find no one there anymore. Someone else also went and opened there door across the hall. Now tonight, at 11:30 pm on a Monday, a male with the same tone of voice as the male who threatened me at my door rang our security buzzer to be let into the building. My husband didn't answer the first time, said 'hello' the second time and he responded 'Can you let me in?' obviously we did not, but 15 minutes later the buzzer was rang again. We contacted the police, as we were told to do with any suspicious activity, and this man had not tried to ring any other buzzers but ours! The police, again, did not find this man when they showed up. At first I tried to rationalize it was just a series of coincidence, but that's just TOO coincidental. I feel in danger of having this person, whoever they are, knowing where I live and would like to leave my lease. I realize my landlord cannot control the actions of these people, but legally I feel for my security and the security of my children (my son is 6 weeks old now) that I should move, and was wondering if I will still have to pay the 2 months rent to move out, plus let them keep the security deposit? It is stated as that in our lease, but I'm wondering if these reasons apply, or if we can leave considering it's for personal safety?

A: Unless the landlord is being neglectful in some way (e.g. broken windows, locks that don't work, etc.) OR if they're violating some specific thing in the lease (like if the lease mentions "well-lit parking lot" and the lights are broken)... you might be stuck paying what your lease says. Basically, you moved into a bad neighborhood, and that's not the landlord's fault. Do contact your local housing authority to find out what your rights are, because they may be different where you live. Most cities have a 2-1-1 or 3-1-1 hotline for this stuff. And talk to your landlord, and see if they will be decent and give you a break, because this really is a bad situation.

Q: Tesco's security guards stop searching customers under false pretences?
Hi Don't know if this is the right section. Yesterday as i was leaving Tesco, a security guard set the security buzzers off on purpose with a tag that is put on high value items, he dropped it accidentally and then searched the customer, and today as i was entering he went by the buzzers again and set them off again and searched the customer, neither of the customers where fount with anything and they're not the stereotypical ones that's security usually watches, they were both past their 50's. Is there anything wrong with this, as it can kinda be humiliating to the customer to be stopped under false pretences, its not like they have to have a set number of times for the buzzer to go off, as they're meant to be preventing theft. Isn't there some sort of law that stops people being searched under false pretences Is there a reason for this as i just find it weird. Thanks

A: Sue for defamation of character.

Q: How do I build a break beam sensor?
It's supposed to be similar to the sensor used in home security or the buzzers on convenience store doors. We have 10 ohm resistor connected to a brite LED on one circuit board, and a 1k resistor connected to a CdS photocell on the other. This setup gave a signal when connected to an oscilloscope. Now we can't figure out how to connect the CdS cell to a buzzer.

A: You need some sort of current buffer or relay between the photocell and buzzer. The buzzer operates at a much higher current than the photocell. A power FET might be useful here with the point which you monitored on the oscilloscope connected to the gate and the buzzer in series with the drain circuit. Many other devices could be used but all will essentially amplify the current available from the photocell circuit. Sorry I can't post a diagram! Also, if you need the buzzer to remain activated after the beam continuity is restored you will need to add some sort of timer or latch circuitry. WK

Q: Nice apartments in Downtown SF for Academy of Arts female student?
Hi, I'm looking for a nice apartment or studio up to $1200/month for my GF who is going to Academy or Arts in San Fransisco. We're looking for one close and in a safe area with a buzzer system and possibly security. Thanks! We've done Craigslist and it was so-so. Perhaps a apartment building owned by a management company we can call?

A: I've had good luck with craigslist.org

Q: Security deposit INDIANA help?
I am getting ready to vacate my 2br apt after 3yrs here. My landlord installed the real cheap menards carpet when I moved in (and I am not kidding it is that real cheap tan one they sell for dirt cheap). When I moved in there was a broken window in my room that he promised to fix...took a year The vertical blinds were missing 5 panels and the wand I had to scrub the closet door in my room (looked like someone puked on it) I had to install door stoppers as there were none. My buzzer-entry system has been out for about 2-2.5 yrs and he says he cant find the parts for it anymore. My toiled had a baby toy in it that he had to have a plumber remove (not from me though, from previous tenant) The stove was not cleaned good and neither was the underneath (when I cleaned after moving in I found a picture of people I don't know, Refrigerator door had a huge bend in the metal bar thing. Oh and EVERY summer I have no air at first. The guy who fixed it the last 2 yrs said there is a slow leak in the outside part (I believe it cause they always come out for 10 min and then they leave and he said he recharged it and it works good now) The lease prohibits me from replacing furnace filters (he thinks I will break it...lol) and yet in 3 yrs he has only done it 2x (so I did it on my own instead of waiting). The wiring is awful (every time I plug in the computer, vacuum, etc... the lights in my place flicker. Last summer a neighbor kid threw a rock and cracked the outer pane of a double pane window. The landlord tried to get the money from the kid's mom but it was not happening so he promised to pay for it....still broke. These are just the main issues...there are more...lol Ok so I know my carpet is ruined (stains from my kids juice) but with the 30cent carpet it cant be expected to live too much longer (if at all) than that. The paint he used was cheap flat white on everything, now there are spots that look odd cause I am always wiping them. No other damage at all. Does this mean he can keep a lrage portion of the 750.00 I paid? I figure the paint is free since the lease provided a free repaint after 3 years. But how much can he really keep for the carpet? I already read the security deposit law but I was hoping to get a general opinion.... thanks

A: Regardless of your other issues, you can be held liable for the carpet since stains are not considered normal wear and tear. Since the carpet is so cheap...why not just replace it yourself?

Q: 2002 Dodge Dakota Computer Problem?
My Dakota has been acting strange lately and I think it is due to the computer failing. Symptoms: 1. Letting the truck sit overnight or for a period of an hour or 2, I will hear a buzzing sound coming from under the hood. The best I can tell it is the computer module buzzing. When this is happening I can not use the keyless entry to unlock the doors. 2. After turning the ignition on, the security buzzer sounds and flashes on the dash for a few seconds(even though I don't have the option installed) and everything goes back to normal. I tried disconnecting the battery for ~ 30 seconds to reset the computer and it seemed to help for a couple days. Then this morning I came out to hear the "ding ding ding" sound like you left your lights on when you take the keys out of the ignition. Starting the truck the headlights came on but the switch was off and you couldn't shut them off. Disconnecting the battery again put everything back to normal. Confused....

A: I have not seen this exact problem before. But I have seen a lot of very odd problems when ground wire / cables are not making good contact. the buzzing sound you heard is probably a relay chattering which can be caused by a poor ground. I would start by cleaning ground connection. If that does not help add more information about how your Dakota is equipped. ie alarm system AC engine power windows power locks. you can also e-mail me thru yahoo answers with more info if needed.

Q: Shouldn't you be able to sue if you go through a store's security system and it goes off?
and you have not stolen anything? We have one store in the area that the danged buzzer goes off almost every time a customer goes through it. I suspect a cell phone signal might set the danged thing off. It's embarassing when the store clerk comes running after you and checks your bags. I told them if it happens again, I was going to sue them for deflamation of character. Sometimes, if they are busy and the thing goes off, they just keep waving people to go through. I am half tempted to take a TV off the shelf and not pay for it and leave on those days. LOL! That'll teach them! But isn't it embarassing enough to sue them? (Not that I would, I am asking hypothetically) If the lady who spilled McDonald's coffee can sue and win, surely this case would make me rich. LOL! Think I should do it? My damages would be public humilation because everyone thinks I have stolen something whent hey see the employees going through my bags. They do it right at the front door.

A: No-you have no right to sue. This act is not intended to cause you embarrassment or single you out as an individual. The McDonald's coffee lawsuit has taken on the proportions of an urban legend. That happened in my state and I know the judge. The woman did not win millions of dollars--she won about $480,000 because Judge Robert Scott ordered a remittitur. McDonald's had over 800 written complaints about their coffee being too hot and they made a deliberate, corporate decision to ignore the complaints. The woman who spilled the coffee in her crouch was burned literally to the bone. The McDonalds's coffee was at least 20 degrees higher than any other restaurant's coffee. The jury was appalled at McDonald's callous attitude to the 81 year old plaintiff; they had settled over 700 previous lawsuits on the same issue and had never consulted a burn expert. The injured woman was in the hospital 7 days and required several skin grafts; the victim had never sued anyone before in her life and McDonald's refused to pay her medical expenses. McDonald's knew about the danger and had no plans to lower the heat or post a warning that McDonald's coffee is the hottest in the fast food industry.