I need a security system for my premises. Shall I choose a wireless or a wired system? What is the best to choose?
Wireless Intruder Alarm vs Wired Intruder Alarm. What shall I choose? This is the first question a customer is asking when he comes into the dilemma, to choose the best technology to protect his premises. There is no easy or straight answer to this dilemma. The decision is governed by certain factors that the owner will need to clarify prior a final decision is taken. Our job, being professionals in this domain is to reveal these factors and lead our customers towards the correct selection of an intruder system. The most important factors are laid below:
- Installation Cost: Whilst wireless systems components are noticeably more expensive in comparison to wired, labor and infrastructure that is required to build a wired system will add a significant cost to the wired system. If the premises are already build with the required infrastructure (the customer that is, has already paid for the infrastructure) and the infrastructure was designed and build correctly, it will be a waste to pay for a wireless system. In this case cost wise the decision will fall in favor of the wired system, otherwise the decision will swing in favor of the wireless.
- Running Cost: Wireless systems run on batteries whilst wired systems will solely use batteries for the main panel and the siren. Old technology wireless systems will require the replacement of the batteries every 2 years where some newer technology wireless systems will promise a life of the batteries of more than 4 years. Replacing faulty/defective equipment will also be a hassle as most of the systems will come with 2 years of warranty; hence the owner will need to cover the cost of the replacement of system components after the warranty expires. Considering this, the cost of replacing wireless components will be significantly higher. For this factor the decision will fall in favor of the wired intruder alarms.
- Reliability: Wireless alarms were notorious for false activations whilst wired intruder alarms were adequately immune to false alarms. However after more than 10 years of research and development wireless alarms have more than caught up with their wired counterparts but still a lot has to be done. For this factor the decision will fall in favor of the wired intruder alarms.
- Disruption and Aesthetics: This factor will fall in favor of Wireless. The reason is very obvious as the installation of wireless will need no cables, conduits, boxes and other hardware components. The installation is much easier; usually will complete in a day or less and the customer will merely notice the disruption of dust and drilling.
- Flexibility of the system: Wireless is a winner for this factor by far. Wireless components can be moved and relocated easily, in the case the already held position is inconvenient for the customer or not optimized for the operation of the system. A wireless system can upgrade easily. All you need is to install the new components and program; hence you do not need to worry about having a complete infrastructure from the start.