Home Automation - Security systems

How can I make a home made security system from scratch?

hello Dannnnnn,
i would recomend u buy a home security kit and install it yourself, the cost will more then likley be cheaper useing the kit verces buying each component.

This is for a school project. What materials would I need to build an alarm system?

Well, that depends. You can certainly buy the magnetic switches and such easily enough at Radio Shack or Lowe's. The central controller part could be built up out of relays for a very basic system, or if a bit more advanced you could use some TTL logic chips. How much "from scratch" does this need to be? Will you be able to buy IR motion sensors off the shelf and use them, or would you have to actually build up the sensor from parts? I doubt we can help much unless you've got much more specific questions.

We are hoping to build a fairly simple optical switch to begin with. We want to put main components together.
What components or other materials do we need to construct the system?
Where else might I find information about building a security system?

Best thing I can recommend is go to a library and check out some books. I think Radio Shack used to have some basic books on how to set up an alarm system also, don't know if they still have those.

Good luck.

Thank you very much for your help. I am sure we will be back later to ask more questions.