Benefits of Wireless Alarms

Wireless burglar alarms can provide a reduced cost and effective answer to residential or commercial security monitoring requirements.  Wireless systems differ from the wired systems in that they do not require installation of electrical wiring between the sensors and the alarm panel thus reducing installation costs and complexity. Modest residential security wireless burglar alarm systems are capable of installation by the consumer with very little equipment or training. Conversely, wired systems require experience with electrical wiring installation and likely will necessitate hiring a trained professional electrician for a reliable installation.  This factor clearly renders wired alarm systems more expensive even to the point of placing such systems beyond the financial capability of the typical homeowner desiring security protection.

Wireless systems typically employ batteries to operate the sensors, which raises reliability issues as well as requires increased maintenance of the sensors. It is also easier to observe signs of tampering with wired as opposed to wireless systems.  Additionally, depending on variables such as distance and the thickness of construction material through which the wireless signal passes, one or more “repeaters” may be necessary to increase the wireless signal level transmitted to the alarm panel.  Purchasing and installing repeaters will increase the complexity and cost of setting up the alarm system.

There are many misconceptions with wireless burglar alarm technology.  For one, a common misunderstanding concerns the perceived cost of wireless alarm systems. While it is true that when they were initially introduced wireless alarm systems were comparatively expensive, however, as is the case frequently with electronic products, over time the cost has dropped dramatically rendering these systems very affordable.

Another common misconception is that “false alarms” will be set off by the system detecting family pets and small animals.  However, alarm manufacturers have developed sensors which can discern the size of the detected object and can be therefore be set to ignore undersized objects.

Another issue which detracted from wireless alarm systems at the outset was vulnerability to interference from close electronic devices like baby monitors, wireless phones, garage door openers, etc.  A significant area of improvement in wireless alarm technology is the reduction, if not elimination, of the effects of interference on performance of the alarm system.

Finally, perhaps the most significant misconception regarding wireless house alarm systems is the erroneous belief that a monitoring contract and payment of a monthly fee is a necessity with the installation of the alarm system.  Many wireless burglar alarm systems feature the ability to program the system to place the phone calls to local police and fire departments without a monitoring service contract and concurrent expense.  Moreover, even if a monitoring firm is desired, the fees charged for monitoring a wireless burglar alarm system can be negotiated at a significant cost savings.