Usually speaking, the detection antennas are installed at the store's exits; they create the system detection zone. The security tags are attached to the goods. The security tags on the goods which the customers select will be neutralized by the cashier when they check out. If the good with active tags past the detection antennas, the detection system alarm sounds.

The Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system consists of three components:
Detection antennas: consists of transmitting antennas and receiving antennas, they create the system detection zone.
Security tags: consists of hard tags and soft labels, they are attached to the goods. If active security tags past the detection antennas, the detection system alarm sounds.
Decoding Equipments: consists of detachers (hard tags) and deactivators (soft labels), they can make the security tags removed (hard tags) or deactivated (soft labels).