Q1: I need a security system for my premises. Shall I choose a wireless or a wired system? What is the best choice for me?

A: Wireless Intruder Alarm Vs Wired Intruder Alarms. What shall I choose? This is the first question customers ask when facing the dilemma of which system to choose and which the best technology is to protect their 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 before 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 outlined below:

a. Installation Cost: Whilst wireless systems components are noticeably more expensive in comparison to wired ones, labor and infrastructure that is required to build a wired system will add a significant cost to the wired system. If the premises have already been built with the required infrastructure (the customer that is, has already paid for the infrastructure) and the infrastructure was designed and built 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. If otherwise, the decision will swing in favor of the wireless system.
b. 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 two years, where some newer technology wireless systems will guarantee that the batteries life will span to more than four years. Replacing faulty/defective equipment will also be a hassle as most of the systems will come with a two-year warranty; hence, the owner will need to cover the cost of the replacement of system components after the warranty has expired. 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.
c. 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, even though there is still a lot to be done. For this reason, the decision will fall in favor of the wired intruder alarms.
d. Disruption and Aesthetics: This factor will fall in favor of the Wireless system. The reason is very obvious as the installation of wireless systems will need no cables, conduits, boxes and other hardware components. The installation is much easier; it is usually completed in a day or less and the customer will merely notice the disruption of dust and drilling.
e. Flexibility of the system: The wireless system is by far the winner in this category. Wireless components can be moved and relocated easily, in case the already held position is inconvenient for the customer or not optimized for the operation of the system. A wireless system can be upgraded 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.

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