A Wireless Home Security Alarm System can be Installed Easily

Depending on a house's style and size, a home security alarm system could be quickly installed using the older wired security devices. However, in many homes using a wireless home security alarm system will make installation much simpler. Installation of a wired home security system requires drilling holes and pulling wires through walls or into basement and attic areas. That can be difficult, time consuming and dirty work. Typically, the installation of this type of system is better left to the professional while a wireless home security alarm system can normally be done by the homeowner with little effort.

Unlike wired systems, the components of a wireless home security alarm system can be easily moved from one location to another to provide protection where it is needed without messing with wiring. Naturally, adding on to this type of system is also easy although every receiver will have limitations on how many devices it can handle effectively. Staying under the maximum number of supported devices will insure that your security system functions properly.

Every device which is connected to your wireless home security alarm system has a built in transmitter which sends a wireless signal to the receiver. In the case of the less expensive systems, the receiver will simply sound the alarm when a device is activated. More costly setups will not only sound the alarm, but also indicate which device caused it to activate. This can be a most helpful feature when you're troubleshooting a false alarm or want to quickly identify where the potential danger is.

Wireless Systems Have Some Limitations

While the ease of installation makes a wireless home security alarm system an attractive option, there are some disadvantages. Since the transmitters used in wireless devices operate on batteries, you need to monitor the batteries charge and they will need to be replaced regularly. With cameras, choosing motion sensor cameras can save power when the cameras are not operating, but the batteries will still drain periodically and need to be changed. One reason why close monitoring of battery status is important is because as the battery weakens, the strength of the transmitted signal falls and it may not trigger the receiver or could lead to a false alarm.

The construction of your home can also limit the distance a signal travels. While most wireless home security alarm system devices will send out a signal reaching 200 to 300 feet, wood, brick and metal walls can weaken the signal strength substantially. With high quality, thick walls - particularly if there is much intervening metal, signal strength could be cut in half, or more. The unit may still function properly, but if the signal cannot reach the receiver, then obviously the alarm is not going to work. The location of the receiving unit should generally be in a location which minimizes the distances to all the transmitters. 

Testing can help you determine if there are any potential problems with signal loss. Be sure to continue your testing through at least the first set of batteries so that you can catch any signal loss that occurs as battery strength diminishes.

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