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Unlike wired systems, wireless alarms rely on cellular communication to transmit signals between sensors and the control panel. It also eliminates the need for a landline to communicate with the monitoring service.

While these benefits are great, there are some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Ensure you do your research and consider getting a professionally installed system.

No wires to cut

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to improve your home or business security, a wireless alarm system may be the answer. These systems can be installed without any cables running between the sensors and the master control panel, eliminating the need to cut walls or run wires. This allows them to be moved easily should you decide to move or for renovations. It also means that the sensors can be armed or disarmed using a key fob (similar to a car lock) which can include features such as night mode and duress signal.

The wireless systems use a secure cellular connection to communicate with the main control panel and outside services such as your alarm monitoring service. This means they are more reliable than traditional alarms as they don’t rely on the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for communication which is more vulnerable to breaches. Most alarms using a PSTN connection still offer back up paths but many are switching to GPRS or GSM for primary signalling to reduce costs and provide better reliability.

The devices on a wireless system are powered by batteries and each sensor has a transmitter and receiver, so they can send and receive signals, similar to a two-way conversation. This ability to talk back and forth makes them more reliable than one-way devices where the status of a device is unknown until the control panel sends out another test signal. Two-way systems also provide faster response times, allowing for detection and alerting of alarms in real-time rather than after the fact.

Easy to install

With wireless systems, the sensors and control panel communicate with each other over a cellular network. This means that a burglar can't cut the wires and render the system useless, as they could with a hardwired alarm system.

Most wireless home security systems are DIY, meaning you can buy the components and do the installation yourself without hiring a professional. However, if you want more bells and whistles, you will have to pay for a professional installation service.

The components that go into a typical wireless home alarm system include sensors for doors, windows, and motion, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices are usually placed in your home's interior or garage, and they connect to the control panel with wireless signals.

If one of these devices detects a break-in, it will send an alert signal to the control panel. The panel will then activate an audible alarm, which can be a siren or a strobe light. It can also call the monitoring company – either through a synthesized voice or, increasingly, via an encoded message string that the company decodes.

Some systems use two-way communication between the control panel and its sensors, allowing for more advanced detection. These are known as "smart" systems and are designed to integrate with other devices, such as your home automation systems or smart thermostats.

No need for a landline

Home security systems that work without landlines still do the same job, detecting threats with sensors and reporting them to a control panel. But instead of using a landline they communicate through other wireless means, like cellular and internet (internet alarms are usually connected to your internet via Wi-Fi).

personal safety gps trackers While these wireless options can have some issues like interference from outside radio frequencies, they’re still the safest and easiest to install. They also eliminate the risk of a burglar cutting wires to disable your alarm system and prevent it from sending a signal to the monitoring centre.

The technology behind these systems uses much lower frequency ranges than the 2.4 GHz used by WiFi devices, which allow signals to penetrate more solid building materials and furnishings. The result is a greater coverage area, fewer "dead spots" and longer battery life for the sensors.





In terms of cost, these systems are the best option for those wanting to avoid paying a landline phone bill. Rather than a traditional back-to-base system, these wireless systems connect with the monitoring station over cellular links, which means you can cut out your phone line rental and reduce monthly costs. Use our alarm cost calculator to see how much a professionally installed wireless alarm might cost. You can also choose to add voice activated monitoring and a speaker phone, which allows the central station to speak with the homeowner and/or intruders.

More reliable

Like wired systems, wireless alarms have back-up batteries to power the devices during a power cut. However, unlike wired systems where the back-up battery is usually located in the main control panel (which is a potential target for thieves), wireless systems have separate back-up batteries in each device – eliminating the risk of the burglars targeting your alarm system and cutting the signaling path. This is a key reason that they are more reliable than wired systems.

Additionally, wireless systems can be easily upgraded to include more sensors and cameras without having to run new wiring. This makes them more flexible and adaptable to your needs as you move, or if your security requirements change over time.

The wireless sensors communicate with the control panel via radio signals. They are also more sensitive and can detect even the slightest movement. Many of the more advanced systems have integrated smart home functionality so you can receive smartphone notifications when a sensor is activated, or if you arm and disarm your alarm.

Wired systems are dependent on a landline to send an alarm signal to your provider’s central monitoring station if the alarm goes off. This can be problematic in the event of a power cut or if a thief is smart enough to cut your phone line before they enter your property. Alternatively, some companies use broadband signaling over GPRS/GSM for alarm reporting. This can be significantly faster than PSTN and allows the cost of a monthly service plan to be reduced.