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Are Wireless Security Systems Better than Wired Systems?
There was a time when the question of whether wireless security systems are better than traditional wired systems was easy to answer. At the onset of their inception wireless security systems were just not up to par with wired systems. However the opposite is true today. Wireless home
security systems have been perfected to a point where most professional alarm installers agree they are more beneficial than hardwired security systems. The remainder of this article will serve as an overview of what makes wireless security systems a better choice for home security systems.
Security System Reliability
The first wireless security systems to hit the market some 30 years ago had one major flaw and that was reliability. Reliability in the sense that the house ID codes were very limited. A house ID code was the setting you would use to identify your system that would differentiate you from your neighbors system. Because it is very possible that several neighbors across from each other could potentially purchase the same type of wireless alarm system, a house ID code is necessary to individually identify each system. The problem with the first wireless security systems that hit the market is that they had a limited amount of house ID codes. And even worse than that was the problem that these first wireless alarm systems came preset with the same house ID code from the factory where they were manufactured. So as human nature would have it, most alarm installers would simply leave the house ID code the way it came set from factory. This would create a huge problem because you would then activate your neighbors alarm system and he would activate yours because both systems wer set to the same house ID code.
Today things are quite different in regards to this issue. All major manufacturers of wireless security systems have corrected this problem by assigning an individual serial number to every wireless sensor manufactured. Although the systems work on the same radio frequency, they each have an individual serial number that no other wireless sensor has. This feature ensures that no other wireless sensor will ever tie into your security system or vice versa. All major manufacturers of wireless security systems have also put in place the ability for alarm installers to determine if the signal strength is adequate for the wireless sensor transmission to properly reach the
alarm systems main control panel every time a wireless sensor is activated. While wired systems are vulnerable to having sensor wires damaged or disconnected, wireless security systems simply have no wires to contend with. This makes wireless security systems more reliable than traditional wired alarm systems.
Security System Zone Identification
One of the major advantages in using wireless security systems is perfect zone identification. Zone identification means being able to determine precisely what area of the security system such as protected door and widows are opened or closed at any given time. What all traditional wired alarm systems offer as far as zone identification is merely pin pointing a certain area rather than a particular door or window. In practical terms what this means is that if a window or door is open while you attempt top arm your security system a wired system will reveal what area is open but not what specific door or window. The zone will just say master bedroom for example but will not describe which window in the master bedroom. Although this may not seem to be a great concern it actually is a huge draw back in the event a service call to the system is performed. On wireless security systems this is not a concern because every single wireless sensor is it's own individual zone. Meaning that if there is ever a service issue you will know exactly which sensor is causing the problem. This benefit too makes it simple to conclude that wireless security systems are better than wired systems.
Security System Installation
Probably the greatest benefit of using a wireless security system is the ease of installation. In a traditional wired installation the first step is to take down any window treatments the customer may own. Next it requires drilling at the edge of the window utilizing a 36 inch drill bit to drill into the attic. This process leaves a huge mess including dust created by the actual drilling. The wires are then run through the attic and pulled down to each individual window. If there is no attic in the residence then the only way to achieve this process is by glueing wires around all the homes baseboards and then glueing them up each window. This of course is all avoided when using wireless security systems. Wireless sensors are simply fastened to each door or window using a combination of double sided adhesive tape and screws. This process looks much more appealing because all you see is the actual sensor and no wire exposure. The fact that wireless security systems require no wiring makes the time it takes to perform the installation a much quicker process. While most wired alarm systems require two men a minimum of one day to perform the installation, wireless security systems are usually performed by just one installer and usually takes no more than two hours to install. Wireless security systems can be concluded to be a better choice when it comes to installation.
Security System Maintenance
Although traditional wired security systems require no regular maintenance there are a couple of things to look out for. Here in the South Florida are we are very susceptible to power surges and lightning strikes. These power surges caused by lightning and thunderstorms cause extreme damage to wired alarm systems. As the high voltage travels through the home wiring, damage occurs to the wired sensors. More specifically door and window magnetic sensors become inoperable when this occurs. So wired alarm systems don not require regular maintenance but they do require that the door and window sensors be regularly checked especially during the rainy seasons. Wireless security systems will never need this regular maintenance check because lightning or power surges will never affect these wireless sensors for obvious reasons. If there is no wiring attached to the wireless sensors then there is no way for them to be affected by lightning and power surges. The only part that does require maintenance on wireless security systems are the actual wireless sensor batteries. These batteries do need to be replaced when they become discharged. The good news is that the actual batteries last at least 3 years. This maintenance requirement however is outweighed by the fact that the sensors will never be damaged by a power surge of any kind. This benefit also makes wireless security systems better than traditional wired alarm systems.
In conclusion, the facts definitely favor wireless security systems over wired alarm systems. If you would like more information on how wireless security systems can benefit you then just call us today at (786)325-7867 or (305)233-6044 or you can visit our website at
www.miamifloridahomesecurity.com