Wired vs Wireless House alarm system

Amanda23

Hi,

I'm looking for a house alarm. I live in a new build property that has the alarm system wiring already included and most of the sensors. Because of this, should I choose the wired system ? Or is a wireless system still an option ?

Any pro's or cons between the two systems and advice much appreciated. I've never had an alarm so totally lost with it all ie whether to have panic alarms, ability for the system to dial phone numbers and outside boxes which light up etc etc.

Many Thanks

Myser

The preference is always to opt for wired over wireless. You won't have the added expense of replacing sensor batteries every couple of years and a wired system is less prone to false alarms.

You also won't have the issue of potential wireless jamming with a wired system.

Since you already have the wiring in place, it would make sense to just replace the control panel with something more modern.

What do you have at the moment - does it not work?

muckybutt

Wired all the way, far better than wireless.

Myser

Amanda23 wrote: »

I've never had an alarm so totally lost with it all ie whether to have panic alarms, ability for the system to dial phone numbers and outside boxes which light up etc etc.

Many Thanks

To add to the above and answer your other questions:

The box outside with a strobe light is called a siren/bell box. Having something visible with lights constantly flashing is a visual detterent. You may want to have one at the back/side of the property too or perhaps just a dummy one there.

If the siren keeps going off, neighbours become immune and just ignore them in the future!

There are three options when it comes to notifying you and others of an alarm when you are away from the property:

1) Using your telephone line to dial predefined contact numbers
2) Using an integrated GSM module (like a mobile phone) to dial predefined contact numbers - expensive
3) Using your existing Internet connection to send you a message/E-mail etc - again costly.

The advantage of option 2 is that if the burglar cuts your telephone line from outside, the system can still alert you of an alarm as it does not rely on your telephone line.

If you need a response to the alarm from the authorities, then you can pay for an ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre) service on an ongoing basis.

In terms of panic buttons, you would add these based on the risk of being under duress/attack. Usually you'd find them near entrances/exits to the property and sometimes in the bedrooms.

Also note that modern alarm systems allow you part-set the system according to defined zones e.g. downstairs only at night.

jellie

Amanda23 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking for a house alarm. I live in a new build property that has the alarm system wiring already included and most of the sensors. Because of this, should I choose the wired system ? Or is a wireless system still an option ?

Any pro's or cons between the two systems and advice much appreciated. I've never had an alarm so totally lost with it all ie whether to have panic alarms, ability for the system to dial phone numbers and outside boxes which light up etc etc.

Many Thanks

I've just gone from an old diy cobbled together wired system to wireless. I've had no problems with anything interfering with the wireless system as yet, and I have it serviced every year anyway so replacing batteries won't be an issue.

However, as you have the wiring already there, you might as well use it.

cyclonebri1

Wired everytime, my new system is wireless, yes easy to install but after 2 years I'm dam sick of battery replacements.
It's not the cost, just the hassle of dtermining which 1 is causing a continual sleep disturbing bleep from the main panel. And this happens about once per month as there must be 12 batteries involved.
Replace them all once per year would probably answer that issue, but this is MSE:money:

It's a no brainer, you have the wiring installed, go with that option.;);)