Wireless or a Wired Home Security System - Which One to Choose ?

If you are thinking of alarming your home, you have two specific types of systems available. There is the wired home security system and the wireless security system.

In addition, in some cases you can get a combination of both types of alarm system installed in your home. Of course, there are both pros and cons of both types of systems as well.

Let's take a look at each option, which will provide you with the information you need to determine which type of security alarm setup you may be inclined to purchase for your home.

With a wired home security system, wires are connected from the keypad and control panel to sensors throughout the home such as windows, doors, cameras and motion detectors.

The wires are usually hidden from view behind walls, baseboards and under flooring or carpeting. As you can imagine, there can be quite a bit of installation when choosing this form of alarm system. One of the benefits over the wireless system is that a wired setup is not prone to interference.

Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Home Alarm Setup

The setup around a wired home security system is such that it is either a closed-loop or an open-loop setup. Let's look at the closed-loop setup first. When a door or window is opened a magnet is separated from the magnetic switch, this causes the alarm to sound. This is the setup most homes use.

With the open-loop setup, when a window or door is opened a magnetic connection closes which causes the alarm to sound.

Most security professionals believe that the closed-loop configuration is the best due to the fact that if an intruder tries to cut any wiring it will break the circuit and trigger the alarm.

The wireless alarm system uses radio signals instead of wires to communicate with the control panel and security devices.

A wireless system is much easier to install since there are no wires to hide. There can be a limit to how far the signal transmits in the home though. In addition, there can be interference with other devices in the home.

Before you make your final decision on which type of system to install, the home you live in may play a part in your choice. If you are having a home built, then you can have the wires installed behind the walls before they are completed, which could cut down on your costs.

Whether you choose a wireless or wired home security system, either choice is better than none at all.