What are the advantages and disadvantages of security metal detectors?

I am sure that there is no person who has never passed through a metal detector, be it in an airport, a shopping center, a cinema or similar. Detectors are used as a security measure, and walking to a secure area after going through a metal detector can be really overwhelming. Saying this in a few simple words: metal detectors make people feel safe!

The feeling of security can be created in an airport, university, office building or any other area where these detectors are used. People who use them can control who enters a specific area and what they bring inside.

There are different types and models of security detectors, but the most used are the hand-held models and the walk-through models. With the help of a handheld detector, security personnel can physically detect if someone is carrying a metallic object. On the other hand, walk-through metal detectors are much faster and alert security personnel of dangerous objects such as knives or weapons.

The operation of metal detectors is quite simple: they use the principles of electromagnetic induction to detect metallic objects. The detection of a dangerous object is notified with a simple alarm beep.

In case you need a metal detector, and you still don’t know which one to choose, here are some advantages of the two mentioned models. Firstly, hand-held detectors are more affordable and can identify the presence of metallic objects that are considered potentially dangerous in the same way as walk-through detectors. On the other hand, step models are more convenient and more efficient. In general, if you can’t decide, it is recommended that you go for both models, as this way you will surely maximize security in the area that requires security measures.

Detectors are able to deter would-be criminals because this way they will think twice after realizing that they have to go through a detector in order to enter a specific area.

As for the downsides of using security scanners, these are mainly privacy issues. Many people may find it uncomfortable to walk through a detector when trying to inspect for any potentially dangerous metal objects. In some cases, they may request to be manually registered when security regulations allow it.

Also, in this advantageous medical age, we can find many medical reasons why a person may have metal in their body. Sometimes metallic devices can be surgically installed inside the person’s body, which will cause the alarm to go off every time the person passes a metal detector. In many cases, security personnel may see on their computers that the metal object that caused the alarm is actually a harmless tool and not a weapon.

As already stated, metal detectors create electromagnetic fields. This can cause electrical interference to electronic devices that a person may have in their power. This includes medical devices such as pacemakers. Some metal detectors can damage pacemakers because they have a very strong electromagnetic field. In this case, such detectors can be fatal to such people, and it is strongly recommended that they avoid passing through them.

In many situations, metal detectors can give a false alarm if people are wearing some type of jewelry, watch, phone, loose change, or the like. This can make some people feel embarrassed and can cause panic for no reason. A false alarm caused by detectors can be inconvenient for both security personnel and the person who was triggered by the alarm.