| With crime statistics rising, home security | | | | standard equipment in both wired and wireless |
| systems are a must have for modern homes. As | | | | security systems. Wireless systems rely on radio |
| burglaries become ever more common, | | | | frequencies to transmit the signals that are |
| homeowners are feeling the necessity of | | | | generated by the door contacts, window |
| protecting both loved ones and material | | | | contacts, and vibration and motion activated |
| possessions. There are several different types of | | | | sensors back to the master control panel. |
| wireless security systems on the market today. | | | | Even in a wireless security system, the master |
| For home security, both wired and wireless home | | | | control panel usually runs on standard A/C house |
| security systems are available. Each security | | | | current, and has a battery backup system so |
| system has its advantages and disadvantages, | | | | that it will continue to function in the event of a |
| which you need to understand. | | | | power failure or a burglar cutting off power to |
| The primary technology behind wired and wireless | | | | your home. This feature, as well as portability and |
| security systems is quite different. As the name | | | | ease of installation, are the two main advantages |
| implies, wireless security systems don't need to | | | | of wireless security systems, which otherwise |
| be hard wired; they send messages to the | | | | operate very much like their hard-wired cousins. |
| master control panel via radio signals. When they | | | | Both standard and wireless security systems |
| were first available, wireless home security | | | | allow you to install a variety of types of sensors, |
| systems were more expensive and less reliable | | | | including cameras and recording equipment, interior |
| than wired systems, but with improvements in | | | | motion sensors, interior and exterior |
| technology, wireless is now the home security | | | | motion-activated lights, door and window sensors, |
| system of choice for most homeowners. | | | | and even vibration-sensitive sensors that detect |
| Compared to wired systems, wireless home | | | | attempts to break glass or forcibly knock down |
| security systems offer much easier installation, | | | | doors. |
| since there are no wires involved. You need not | | | | Before you buy any home security system, |
| worry about an electrical power source nor a | | | | survey your home and determine the equipment |
| way of wiring to the master control panel, nor do | | | | that you need. Consider which areas you most |
| you have to tear up your walls or floors to run | | | | want to protect, and how you will do so. Be sure |
| wiring for the system. You do have to replace | | | | to buy a wireless security system that allows for |
| the batteries periodically in wireless home security | | | | eventual expansion, since you may decide to add |
| systems, which is not necessary in a hard-wired | | | | features such as driveway sensors, cameras, |
| system. | | | | smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors. |
| Wireless security systems use essentially the | | | | Wireless home security is now reliable and very |
| same components as do wired systems. The | | | | affordable, and if you are handy, a self-installed |
| touch pad, control panel, cameras, sensors, | | | | wireless security system requires minimal skill and |
| motion detectors, and alarm sirens are all | | | | not much time to complete the job. |