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Shock & Glass Break Detectors

Shock, seismic and glass break detectors give early warning of an attempted intrusion. Shock sensors detect a forcible shock or vibration, seismic detectors sense the vibration of drilling or cutting, and acoustic glass break detectors listen for the sound of breaking glass. Brands include Texecom, Ajax, Aritech, Eaton and Acre.

Choosing Shock & Glass Break Detectors

Choose by what has to be protected: the glass itself, a door or window frame, or a safe.

Acoustic glass break detectors

The Aritech GS903N listens at 30 points across the glassbreak frequency spectrum, detects through blinds and light curtains, and is rated for plate, laminated, tempered and wired glass. The Aritech GS960 protects multiple windows in a room, with a coverage angle of 165°, provided it has line-of-sight to the window. The Texecom AEC-0001 has a 9m maximum range and glass type selection for plate, tempered, laminated and wired glass.

Wireless glass break detectors

The Ajax 130352.05.BL1 GlassProtect Jeweller is a wireless glass break detector with a microphone, and uses a DualTone digital algorithm to minimise false alarms. The Ajax 130353.06.WH1 CombiProtect is a wireless IR motion and glass break detector with two primary functions, motion detection and glass break detection. The Dahua DHI-ARD512-W2(868) recognises multiple low and high frequencies of breaking glass and has 2 zone inputs for wired devices.

Glass-mounted sensors

The Acre V54535-F102-A200 is pasted to the pane and watches a plane glass area within a maximum radius of 2m, and it is not for wired glass or security glass. With two additional sensors attached, the Acre N54535-Z131-A100 protects bulletproof and thermally toughened glass through the MAGS-S evaluation unit.

Shock and vibration sensors

The Texecom AEJ-0001 Impaq S uses VIBER accelerometer technology with 5 digital sensitivity settings, for use on materials such as window frames and concrete. The wireless Texecom GHC-0002 measures 57mm x 27.5mm x 8.2mm and gives a 3-year typical battery life from a CR2450 coin cell.

Seismic and safe protection

The Knight SEISMO-ADVANCEB is a shock/tilt sensor designed for Grade 3 installations, with a fault output terminal. The Elmdene LIMPET-E20 protects key-operated safes with sensors including vibration detection with an integral analyser, a thermal sensor and a proximity sensor.

ModelTypeDetectionNotes
Aritech GS903NAcoustic glassbreak detector30 points across the frequency spectrumPlate, laminated, tempered and wired glass
Texecom AEC-0001Glass break detector9 m, 170°EN 50131 Grade 2
Ajax 130352.05.BL1Wireless glass break detector9 m, 180°DualTone algorithm
Texecom AEJ-0001Wired shock sensorVIBER accelerometerEN50131-2-8 Grade 2
Ajax 117736.269.BL1Wired seismic detector4 m concrete, 2 m steelShock and tilt detection

Related categories

See more burglar alarm sensors, door contacts for opening detection, and alarm control panels.

Brands we stock in Shock & Glass Break Detectors

Acre, Ajax, Aritech, CQR, Dahua Technology, Eaton, Elmdene, Hikvision, Honeywell Commercial Security, Honeywell Home, Knight Fire & Security, Pyronix and Texecom.

Frequently asked questions

Can a vibration sensor detect attempted forced entry?

Yes, it senses the shock that an attempt to force a window frame, door or wall sends through the material, before entry is gained. The Texecom AEJ-0001, AEJ-0002 and AEJ-0003 use VIBER accelerometer technology, which is highly sensitive to sub-surface shock transmissions resulting from attempted forced entry. The AEJ-0001 has 5 digital sensitivity settings for materials such as window frames and concrete, and the Texecom AEA-0002 is a Veritas Impaq vibration detector with adjustable sensitivity.

What is a seismic detector used for?

A seismic detector protects valuables by sensing the vibrations caused by drilling, cutting or explosions on or near the protected object. The Ajax 117736.269.BL1 and 117737.269.WH1 are wired seismic detectors that also identify bending or pushing and temperature changes near the enclosure. The Aritech VV700 is a programmable seismic detector, and its VVK700 software adapts it to the type of object being protected.

How does an acoustic glass break sensor hear breaking glass?

It listens for the frequency pattern that breaking glass makes and analyses it, so a real break can be told apart from other sounds. The Aritech GS903N listens at 30 points across the glassbreak frequency spectrum instead of one or two characteristic frequencies. The Acre V54535-Z130-A300 uses Digital Room Compensation to distinguish glass breaking from general background noise.

How do I check that glass break protection works?

Use a handheld glass break tester that plays real breaking-glass sounds, or the simple test the detector's maker gives. The Aritech GS905 has real glass break sounds and settings for tempered, plated and laminated glass, so the effective range can be tested. The end user can test the Aritech GS903N or GS913N with a clap of the hands, and the Honeywell FG1625F can be verified using the FG-701 Glassbreak Simulator.

Which detectors also sense tilt?

Shock and tilt sensors detect a change in angle as well as an impact, using an accelerometer or a selectable tilt mode. The Ajax 117736.269.BL1 and 117737.269.WH1 detect shock and tilt with a built-in accelerometer, alongside seismic detection. The Knight SEISMO and SEISMO-ADVANCEB shock/tilt sensors have detection modes of Shock, Tilt, Either or Both, set on the PCB by shunt links.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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