Plinth Alarms

The most commonly used product for alarming individual objects and items on pedestals are
our Plinth Alarms. These offer the most mobile, wireless solution and are commonly used for
items on open display, as it can form a part of the visual arrangement. A picture of some typical
plinths is shown below.

Some Typical Plinth Alarms

Plinth Alarms are manufactured to customer specification based upon a number of different
customisable options, which are described below.

Material and Thickness

Most of our Plinths are made from Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) because it is a low cost
and stable material and offers a number of different types of finish.

The most common type of Plinth is made from 25mm thick MDF. With the sensors installed
the total depth is approximately 30mm. These are powered by standard 9V PP3 type batteries
and can be fitted with a loud two-tone siren in addition to a low intensity single tone sounder.

By using lithium coin cells to power the unit instead of the PP3 type battery, we can make
plinths in 15mm thick or 18mm MDF with a total depth of approximately 20mm. In this case
the internal sounder is limited to a low intensity single tone.

The Underside and Internal Components of a Typical Plinth Alarm in 25mm thick MDF

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We can also have Plinths made in a good quality hardwood, such as walnut, oak, mahogany,
cherry and maple. As wood is a live material, these are usually made from thicker material,
normally around 35mm to 40mm to minimise the potential for warping.

A Plinth Alarm Manufactured in Walnut, Stained and Polished to an Ebony Finish

A wood effect can also be created using MDF with a hardwood veneer, which typically come
in material thicknesses of 19mm and 26mm.

A Plinth Alarm Manufactured in 19mm MDF with Cherry Veneer, Stained and
Polished to an Ebony Finish

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Plinth Shape
The standard options for shape are either square / rectangular or circular. Custom shapes are
possible, but are subject to discussion and assessment.

Oval Shaped Plinth Alarm Circular Plinth Alarm

Plinth Dimensions
The minimum dimensions for a Plinth are determined by the size of the parts of the alarm
system to be fitted. The typical Plinth will have four sensors, electronic control board, battery
and audible sounder device. As a guide, the minimum plinth size required to fit these items is
17cm x 16cm for a rectangular plinth and 20cm for a circular plinth. Requests for smaller
sizes would need to be assessed based upon the application.

Above these minimum dimensions, it is theoretically possible to have a plinth of any size. In
practice, the upper limits on size will be limited by issues such as weight and handling which
would be assessed on a case by case basis.

Plinth Edging
Plinths are made with straight edges and 90 degree corners as standard. However, some simple
decorative edging can be provided.

Plinth Colour and Finish

Plinths manufactured in MDF will normally have a paint finish. The simplest and most
economical is a roller painted matt emulsion or satin finish, but high quality sprayed lacquer,
or even special effect hand painted finishes are available .e.g. marble, bronze, Verdigris etc.

Bronze Spray Painted Lacquer Finish Hand Painted Marble Effect Finish

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The standard colours are white or black, but other standard off the shelf colour finishes or
standard RAL or BS colours can be requested. Customers can also choose the level of gloss –
matt, semi-matt, or gloss.

Customers can request that a MDF plinth is supplied without any paint finish so that it can be
painted by themselves.

Hardwoods or MDF with a wood veneer would normally be stained and polished / lacquered to
customer specification. The stain level would typically be light, medium or dark and the polish
level matt, semi-matt or gloss.

Plinth Alarm Sensitivity

The sensitivity of the alarm is defined as the threshold, in grams, for detecting a change in
weight on the Plinth to trigger an alarm, and is specified within a nominal range.

The sensitivity can be adjusted between upper and lower nominal limits by a trimmer device
on the electronic board. The actual upper and lower limits are determined by the type of
sensor fitted as the supporting feet of the Plinth:
 High sensitivity / low weight capacity sensors offer a lower limit of around 12g and
upper limit of around 200g
 Standard sensitivity / standard weight capacity sensors offer a lower limit of around
25g and upper limit of around 400g
 High sensitivity / low weight capacity sensors offer a lower limit of around 50g and
upper limit of around 1000g

To ensure maximum sensitivity can be achieved, the full weight of the plinth must be
supported by sensors. Therefore, the plinth will generally have at least four sensors / feet,
although that is no essential and it is possible to have Plinths with fewer sensors where there
are size limitations.

It is important to note that sensitivity is also related to the specified maximum weight capacity
of the plinth.
 High sensitivity sensors have a maximum weight capacity of 2.5kg per sensor
 Standard sensitivity sensors have a maximum weight capacity of 4kg per sensor
 Low sensitivity sensors have a maximum weight capacity of 7kg per sensor

To understand how sensitivity and weight capacity are considered in assessing the correct
application of a Plinth Alarm it is best to consider the following example.

For an application requiring a sensitivity level down to around 15g, a Plinth fitted with high
sensitivity / low weight capacity sensors is required. A simple four sensor Plinth Alarm unit,
fitted with the high sensitivity / low weight capacity sensors will offer a sensitivity range
adjustable between 12g to 200g. The weight capacity of the sensors is 2.5kg per sensor, so
the maximum weight capacity of the plinth is 10kg i.e. 10kg shared between four sensors.
Adding additional sensors will not reduce the sensitivity level below the nominal level of 12g.

However, if it is necessary to put a weight greater than 10kg on to the plinth and still maintain
the same sensitivity level capability, additional high sensitivity / low weight capacity sensors
would be needed so that the extra load is shared between more sensors and kept below the
limit of 2.5kg on each sensor.
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The same principles apply to the other two types of sensor.

If a sensitivity limit of less than 12g nominal is required, the electronic board can be especially
customised to achieve this, but the potential for false alarms must be considered.

Alarm Indications
The Plinth Alarm will go into alarm when it detects a change in weight on it above the alarm
threshold (see the section on sensitivity above). This will activate the in-built audible sounder
units, which will operate for a period of up to around 10 seconds, after which the unit will reset
automatically and re-adjust to the new weight level. The duration of the alarm can be set and
adjusted by the customer.

In addition to activating the in-built sounders, the Plinth Alarm unit can also provide an output
capable of triggering either a radio transmitter for a wireless security system, or directly
activating a security panel via a hard-wire link from the Plinth to the panel. The picture of the
internal components of a typical Plinth Alarm illustrates an example of a Plinth fitted with a
siren and showing a space for fitting a radio transmitter.

Other devices, such as indicator LEDs can also be fitted.

Disabling the Plinth Alarm

The Plinth Alarm is powered up and off via a switch that is only accessible from underneath
the Plinth. Where there is a requirement to be able to disable the alarm without lifting the Plinth
or removing an object from the Plinth, options such as key-operated switches and magnetic reed
switches can be added.

Example of a Plinth Alarm Fitted with an Key-Operated Switch and LED

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Plinth Alarm Cost Considerations

Plinth Alarms are built to a customer specification and the price will depend upon the options
chosen. The lowest cost Plinth Alarms are square / rectangular shapes made in 25mm thick
MDF, with a roller paint finish. These will typically be in the range of £150 - £200 depending
on Plinth size and type of audible sounder required.

Circular and special shapes, and units in 15mm / 18mm thick MDF add a small premium.

Additional items, such as key-operated switches and LEDs will also add a small premium.

Higher quality materials and finishes have the most impact on price, where the quantity of units
is also an important factor.

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