Wireless vrs Hardwire Alarm Systems

Often an alarm company will push for one style of alarm system over the other. There are advantages and disadvantages to each style (wireless or hardwired) and often there is the need for both in a completed system. Most modern burglar alarm panels are capable of doing both wireless and hard wire but there are certain things you should look out for when a company is suggesting a particular brand.

Wireless Alarm Maintenance

One of the biggest problems with wireless systems is the need to batteries. If you have designed a complete system for a home or business where all devices are wireless you are going to have a huge maintenance headache. Each device will require its own battery, this battery needs to be changed regularly, how often is determined by how often a device is used.

Each time a wireless device is used it must send out a signal, that signal requires battery power. For a frequently used door that can mean going through the battery rather quickly, sometimes in a matter of a month or months. If the device uses a specialty battery this can be relatively expensive and will require someone knowing how to put the panel in test mode to check the battery, change the battery and the take the panel out of test.

Some of the better wireless alarm panels monitor the condition of the devices batteries and will produce a trouble signal to alert you when a device needs to have its battery changed.

Wireless signal problems

Wireless devices and also be affected by various conditions that may hamper or even block the devices ability to communicate with the alarm panel. For this reason most wireless panels are not UL rated. These conditions can cause frequent trouble conditions and even false alarms. In low end panels without device monitoring it is possible for a device to lose power or signal and no longer be able to communicate with the panel that the door or window has been opened.

Wireless Alarm Device Advantages

There are often times where it is impossible or impractical to use wired devices. In my opinion this is the only time you should used wireless devices. Common uses for wireless devices are for personal panic devices and arm disarm controls (kind of like your car alarm) and when because of the construction of the house or business it is too expensive or impractical to try running wire from the control panel to the device to be monitored.

Most alarm panels have the capability to add expansion boards that add wireless signal capability. Often a single receiver can communicate with a very large number of devices. The wireless receiver is normally installed in a higher location so that it can receive a clear signal from a greater distance.

Hard Wired Alarm Disadvantages

Among the other disadvantages to hard wiring is the possibility of the wire being damaged. Mice and rats often like to chew on cables. Repair and maintenance personnel moving through the attic often give little consideration the wires that get stepped on, stretched, nailed through and otherwise damaged. Improperly installed cables can eventually be rubbed my machinery until copper is exposed, stretched so that contact becomes intermittent, run across sources of interference or hear like florescent lighting.

When trying to adjoin to buildings (like a garage) it is often impossible to run wire between the two. It is also often very difficult to get a cable to certain location in a house due to construction materials or methods, lack of room in the attic of basement and other obstacles. For this reason sometimes Wireless is necessary.

Hard Wired Alarm Advantages

Cable is less susceptible to radio and other interference. Wired systems usually require very little maintenance; often a hard wired system can go trouble free without any maintenance except for the batteries for many, many years.

My Opinion

Whenever possible try to use hard wire on your alarm system. Only use wireless when there is no practical way to use cable between the alarm panel and the device.