Alarm System Installation


Home security alarm systems offer fantastic protection against burglary, vandalism and any other unwanted intrusion. There are two main types of burglar alarm systems available and these are hardwired and wireless. Each requires a different approach to installation and both have their pros and cons.
A hardwired alarm system is more permanent, robust and will be more reliable. However, the permanency can be a disadvantage if you move house as you cannot then uninstall the system to take it with you without cost, time and effort. A wired alarm system is best left to the professionals to install, unless you really know what you are doing – so there will be a cost associated that will need to be taken into account when planning to purchase a wired alarm system.
A wireless alarm system however offers the flexibility of a self install by the keen DIY’er. The wireless sensor devices quite simply attached to a wall or ceiling then they talk wirelessly to the main control panel once programmed in. The install is very straightforward and requires very little wiring except to the main control panel and the siren/bell box. There is the added flexibility of moving the alarm sensors around your home if so desired. If you extend your property, additional sensors can be added to the existing system and can be up and running within minutes. The only slight disadvantage of a wireless security system is that batteries are required to power the alarm senor devices. These will need changing at least annually.
Both types and alarm system will usually have the capability of accommodating several different types of sensor device which monitor different situations. There are door and window sensors which are often magnetic in design and rely on the circuit breaking in order to trigger. PIR (passive infrared) motion detectors are designed to detect changes in heat so will sense a human walking in front of them. For your safety in the home, fire alarm detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can be added to some home security alarm systems. It is a good idea to be aware of the different types of alarm sensor as this could effect the planning of your alarm system installation.
Once you have installed your alarm system it is recommended to have your system monitored for your peace of mind. Monitored home security typically costs between $30-$40 dollars and contracts are usually 2-5 years. By having monitored security your home insurance premium could reduce so it’s worth investigating this before you choose a home alarm system. This will help offset the cost of the monitoring fees.