If you are considering securing your home or upgrading your home security system, then you have probably heard about wired and wireless alarm systems in Montreal. As a homeowner your only concern is to ensure that you install the most appropriate system that will guarantee you the convenience you need to keep your home secure.
However, most homeowners tend to not understand the clear difference between wired and wireless security systems, and this may sometimes be a challenge when choosing their home security options.
The basic understanding for the majority of people is that a wired system uses wires while a wireless system doesn’t use any cables. At the face of it, this may be the case, but in actuality it goes beyond wires.
Wired Security Systems
Wired systems were the very first home alarm systems in Montreal. Just as the name suggests, these security systems use ordinary cables for transmitting power, internet connection, and videos from the house where they are installed to the monitoring center. With these, a cable is used to connect the various components of the system. For example, a cable would be used to connect a sensor on the doors or window to the control panel, and another cable would be used to connect the control panel to the monitoring center. In case of an incident, or when the alarm was triggered, the signal was transmitted from the home to the control center via a telephone line. Back in the day, wired systems offered the best options for securing homes, but they also come with inherent challenges that made them vulnerable.
Advantages of wired home security systems
Here is a look at some of the advantages that wired alarm systems have:
They are reliable
This is one of the strongest benefits of wired alarm systems. Their reliability comes from the fact that they are not susceptible to signal interference as may sometimes be the case with wireless alarm systems. With a wired alarm system, so long as there is a connection between the various components, nothing will stop the signal from being submitted.
Supports large properties
One of the factors of consideration when choosing a security system is its ability to cover all the critical areas within a property. This is a task that wireless systems can easily do. For businesses or homes with large properties that require monitoring, a wired system is super effective because the quality of the monitoring will not depend on the availability of the signal or the signal strength at the preferred sections. Once the entire property is wired and connected to the primary control board, surveillance all over the property will be easy.
Adds value to the home
Wireless home alarm systems can be considered permanent security systems in the sense that when you move out to another home, you don’t have to dismantle it and carry it with you. As such, they add value to the home, which is a bonus when you are selling.
Less maintenance over time
Wired security systems may not be necessarily maintenance free, but over time, you will reap from the benefit of not having to care too much about the maintenance. The installed hardware is designed to last for long and provided that you replace the battery from time to time, you will have a great experience with the systems.
Disadvantages of wired systems
Here are some of the things you may not like about wired security systems:
- The installation process of a wired system is quite demanding and may take days or weeks, depending on the size of the property as well as the nature of the surveillance needed.
- Power outages are a constant threat to the effectiveness of the wired system. If there is a blackout and the system is not connected to backup power, then the entire home security system will be dead.
- Not ideal if you plan to change homes. This will mean that you will ditch the system after all the expenses of purchasing and installation.
Wireless Security Systems
Wireless systems were designed to address the shortcomings of their wired counterparts and have since become one of the most preferred security systems for businesses and homeowners in Montreal. With this system, the transmission of signals is not through cables, but wireless from the sensors to the control panel, and from the panel to the monitoring stations. It uses the same principle employed in mobile telephony.
Advantages
Here are some of the benefits that come with the installation of wireless security systems in Montreal:
Easy installation – wireless security systems are easy to install compared to a wired system. You won’t have to drill holes or make modifications in your home to have them installed. In some cases, if you are good at following instructions, you can install them on your own without the need of a technician.
Portable – if you think about moving to a new home or apartment, you can conveniently carry along the wireless system for installation in your new home. This is a convenience you couldn’t get with a wired system.
Mobile monitoring – with a wireless system, you can easily integrate it on your phone using a mobile app so that you can monitor your home on the go.
Cons
- Can easily suffer from signal interference and this can make them risk the security of the home.
- They require constant maintenance over time, which makes them expensive in the long run.
- They are more expensive than the traditional wired security systems, and for convenience, most homeowners will prefer to include add-ons, which increases the price.