Why having an alarm system is critical
Having a working alarm system is critical to protect yourself and loved ones. It also protects your property and possessions while you are away.
How the system is installed and where the various detectors are is just as important. Outdoor beams and passives detect intruders before they gain access to the inside of the property and gives you and your armed response company precious time to act as early as possible. Maintaining your alarm system is another important part, this includes testing the system and detectors to confirm they are working optimally and ensuring that the backup battery is still is a good condition. Cleaning dirty outdoor detectors prevents false alarms and improves detection reliability.
Different types of alarm systems
There are 3 main types of alarm systems all with their respective pros and cons.
Wired Alarm System
With a wired alarm system everything is connected with comms cable, a specific cable for alarm systems.
With all detectors, keypads, sirens, and other devices wired there are no battery replacements needed for any of the devices except for the control panel which has a battery providing power to the entire system in case of a power outage.
The downside of this system is the cabling which requires protection of the elements when running it outside for outdoor beams and detectors. It could also potentially look aesthetically displeasing, unless the conduit is placed inside the wall, plastered and painted to conceal the conduit. There is another other option to run the cable on the inside of the property and then drill a hole through the wall where the outdoor detector will be placed.
Wireless Alarm System
With a wireless alarm system the control panel is connected to the main 220V supply, but all other devices are wireless.
All detectors, keypads, sirens and other devices are battery powered. The batteries last several years and the system will notify you when there is a low battery condition. The alarm control panel will also have a backup battery in case of a power outage.
The downside of this system is that there are several batteries that will need replacement as time goes on. Because of their long lifespan these are lithium batteries and they are quite expensive. Some wireless systems and devices can be susceptible to interference from other wireless devices and frequencies in the air resulting in loss or intermittent loss of connectivity to the alarm system.
Hybrid Alarm System
With a hybrid alarm system there can be a mix of wired and wireless devices depending on user and environmental choices.
As with both wired and wireless alarm systems the control panel requires a mains supply for power. All other devices can then be either wired or wireless for those out of reach places where cabling is no possible.
This system provides the flexibility of both wired and wireless systems. You can also configure this system to be wired or wireless only with the option of adding wired or wireless devices in future if needed. As such depending on the installation there will be batteries that need replacement or cables that must be run to the wired devices. There are many trusted alarm systems offering this option to customers.
Using a reputable brand for your alarm system is strongly recommended! These manufacturers provide a warranty on new systems, carry spare parts, and can provide support if needed.