How to Build a Low Cost Home Security System with Raspberry Pi That Stops Burglars Dead in Their Tracks

I want to secure my home from burglars without spending a lot of money. A great option is to build a home security system using a Raspberry Pi. This allows me to customize the system to my needs and budget. Here is how I built an effective low-cost Raspberry Pi home security system that stops burglars in their tracks.

Selecting the Right Raspberry Pi Model

The first step is choosing the right Raspberry Pi model. The Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable computer that runs Linux. There are several different models to choose from:

• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ - This is the model I recommend. It has good processing power, built-in wireless networking, and Bluetooth. It's powerful enough to run a home security system.

• Raspberry Pi Zero W - The cheapest option but less powerful. Limited to running one application at a time.

• Raspberry Pi 4 - The newest and most powerful Raspberry Pi. More expensive than the 3 B+ and overkill for this project.

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ strikes the right balance of price and performance for a home security system. It costs around $35.

Installing the Operating System

Once I had the Raspberry Pi, I needed to install the operating system. For this project, I recommend Raspbian, the official Linux-based OS for Raspberry Pi.

The steps to install Raspbian are:

1. Download the Raspbian image file from www.raspberrypi.org.

2. Flash the image onto a microSD card using balenaEtcher or Raspberry Pi Imager.

3. Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi and power it on. Raspbian will boot up.

With Raspbian installed, I was ready to configure my Raspberry Pi into a security system.

Setting Up the Camera Module

A key component of my home security system is the camera module. This allows me to monitor my home entrance and capture video/images of any intruders.

The steps I followed to set up the camera module:

• Enable the camera interface - I opened the Raspberry Pi configuration tool and enabled the camera interface under Interfaces. This activates the CSI camera port.

• Connect the camera module - I plugged the ribbon cable from the camera module into the CSI port on the Raspberry Pi.

• Test the camera - I opened a terminal and entered raspistill -o test.jpg to take a test photo and confirm the camera works properly.

With the camera functional, I could integrate it into my security system software.

Installing and Setting Up MotionEyeOS

There are different software options for running a Raspberry Pi home security system. I chose MotionEyeOS since it is purpose-built for surveillance and easy to configure.

Here are the steps I followed to install and set up MotionEyeOS:

• Download the MotionEyeOS image - I downloaded the latest image from https://github.com/ccrisan/motioneyeos/releases.

• Flash the image onto my microSD card, replacing the Raspbian image.

• Configure MotionEyeOS - On first boot, I was prompted to configure settings like my wifi network credentials and password. I also set a static IP address.

• Enable the camera - In the MotionEyeOS admin panel, I enabled my camera and adjusted settings like resolution and frame rate.

With MotionEyeOS running, I could access my security cameras from any web browser.

Setting Up Motion Detection and Notifications

Now it was time to configure my security system to detect motion and send me notifications. Here are the key steps:

• Adjust motion detection zones - I customized the areas of the camera image where motion would be detected using the admin panel.

• Set up email/push alerts - I configured MotionEyeOS to email me and send push notifications to my phone when motion is detected.

• Enable recording - I set the system to record 10-second video clips when motion triggers the camera. This captures footage of potential intruders.

• Adjust sensitivity - To reduce false alarms, I tweaked the motion detection sensitivity. Lower sensitivity triggers fewer motion events.

With notifications and recording enabled, I could see when my home security system was triggered and view footage.

Expanding the System with Security Devices

For enhanced security, I integrated additional devices with my Raspberry Pi system:

• Magnetic door/window sensors - I placed affordable magnetic sensors on entry doors and windows. When they are opened, the sensor triggers the Raspberry Pi.

• PIR motion sensors - Passive infrared sensors detect motion in a room. I connected them to the Raspberry Pi to monitor room activity when the camera can't see.

• Panic button - I set up a wireless panic button that triggers the security system if I'm in danger.

By connecting all these devices, my home is comprehensively monitored. The Raspberry Pi reacts to sensor triggers the same way it reacts to camera motion detection.

Automating Lights and Alarms

For added burglary deterrence, I automated lights and alarms to activate when motion is detected:

• Smart bulbs - I connected smart light bulbs to the Raspberry Pi and programmed them to turn on when the security system triggers after dark. Lights deterring burglars.

• Audible siren - I wired a loud siren to the Raspberry Pi and set it to sound for 30 seconds when the system detects an intruder. This frightens burglars away.

By automatically activating lights and sound, my system provides visible and audible deterrence against home invasions.

The end result is an inexpensive but powerful Raspberry Pi home security system tailored to my needs. With cameras, sensors, alerts, video recording, and automatic alarms, I can rest easy knowing my home is protected from burglars. This system leverages the Raspberry Pi's capabilities for an effective security deterrence, without paying for an expensive proprietary system. With some DIY effort, I was able to secure my home on a budget.