Wired or Wireless? The Business and Home Security Question

The technology involved in business and home security systems have made them safer and easier to use than ever before, but that does not always mean that newer is better.

One of the most significant advancements in business and home security over the last few decades has been the advent of wireless technology. While alarms used to be hard-wired to a centralized control panel from all over a home or office, nowadays receivers can simply be located wherever necessary, and they will transmit and receive a signal from that box.

Of course, some people may think or contend that there is a higher possibility of a false alarm or some type of interference causing difficulties with a wireless system. At the same time, however, wired systems do not typically have the same capacity for running self diagnostics that those without wires do, and this may leave some customers concerned about their alarms failing when they need them most.

So in the end, which is the best type of system for your home or office? It's a choice only you can make, so long as you consider all of the right information.

The first thing to consider is the price. Typically, hard-wired systems cost significantly more to install and to maintain, simply because a wire must be run between every panel involved. This means accessing the area behind walls and in ceilings, which can certainly be costly and potentially troublesome in many homes.

At the same time, those without wires often include pieces of equipment that can cost more up front. In the end, the only way to determine the difference in the price is to compare quotes.

Both types of systems are known to be reliable, but how reliable they can be in your home depends a lot on specific factors that are unique to it. This starts with size, as many units without wires only have a range of up to a certain distance, after which they require additional components.

Those with wires can communicate directly with the control panel, but may not always offer the same features that other systems do, such as the self-diagnostic that helps to monitor for things such as bad connections and low batteries. Like with cost, determining what features are available with each type can only be laid out by the provider.

What other features may be included in a business and home security system can also be a deciding factor. Wireless models typically include monitoring for things like fire, floods and carbon monoxide, but it can sometimes be included with a wired unit as well.

Ultimately, the choice in business and home security comes down to the specifics of what your provider can offer you with each type. By keeping these basic points in mind, once you are armed with that information you will be able to make the right decision.