Wired Vs Wireless Home Security Systems

Home security systems are gaining prominence with the rise in crime rates in most places. Many people have to leave their children alone at home or have to keep their homes locked when they go for work or are on a vacation. The assurance of a good home security system allows people to sleep peacefully at night and also work or enjoy their vacations without the thoughts of home security nagging them.

There are many home security systems available today to suit each individual's budget and requirements. However, people are usually confused when it comes to choosing between wired and wireless home security systems. Here we will discuss the nature, advantages and disadvantages of wired as well as wireless home security systems so as to help homeowners choose intelligently between them.

Modern home security systems of both the wired and wireless varieties consist of various component parts that have different functions. The security systems use a keypad that initiates security commands and observes the status of the system. It is usually installed at the entrance so that you can arm or disarm it while leaving or entering the house. Sensors are used to protect open spaces both within the home as well as outside it.

The various types of sensors used are magnetic door switches, space protection sensors, window acoustic and vibration detectors, motion detectors, etc. The security panel is at the heart of the home security system. It has multiple functions like monitoring the sensors, providing power, handling programmable options and connecting the system to the telephone line. The other optional equipments include cameras, monitors, switchers, baby monitors, personal, medical and smoke alarms, etc.

Although both wired and wireless systems use components having similar functions the major and most obvious difference between them is that the wired system components draw power from the main supply as well as communicate through wires whereas the wireless system components draw their power from individual batteries and communicate through radio waves. Both the systems have their inherent advantages and disadvantages although functionally they don't differ much in the level of security provided.

For installing wired systems you have to drill holes and install concealed wiring which requires a lot of modification work. Wired systems require more skill as they have to be concealed under rugs floorboards and walls. Therefore it becomes very inconvenient to install a wired system in a home that is already occupied. It is more convenient to install during construction or remodeling of the home. In case of molded structures, prefabricated and antique homes it may not be possible to installed wired systems at all and you are left with no choice but to install a wireless home security system.

On the other hand no physical or modification work is necessary for installing a wireless system. It takes little time to install and therefore it does not disrupt the lives of the occupants. You have to check the batteries of the wireless systems from time to time to make sure they don't need replacement. The wired home security systems are cheaper and are integrated into the home wiring during construction. Once installed, they are easier to monitor and maintain than wireless systems.

Usually wireless systems are more expensive than the wired ones, but they also usually incorporate the latest technological innovations. There is also the expense of replacing the lithium batteries to be considered. To send the signals between the sensors, cameras, panel and other components the wireless home security systems use radio transmitters. Signals from other electronic appliances can interfere with the radio signals of the wireless security system and give false alarms. This is not a problem with wired systems as the signals are sent through insulated wires.

As and when the homeowner's needs and security perceptions change, modifications can be easily done in the wireless security systems. This is an advantage as the technologies become obsolete very fast these days. Also with the increase in crime rates the security perceptions are bound to change. Therefore whether you will choose a wired or a wireless home security system will depend on several factors like the age and type of home, personal security requirements, crime rate of the area and of course how much money the homeowner is prepared to spend.