Wireless Security Systems


Whether you live in a house, condominium, or apartment complex, a wireless security system is an excellent approach to protecting your dwelling-especially for older building where running wiring can be costly.  There are several design elements that must be considered before undertaking the installation of a wireless security system, the size of your unit, the type of security protection that is needed, and your working budget. 

There is a wide range of wireless security systems on the market, to understand what will work best for you it will be helpful to become familiar with the various components that make up a wireless security system, and how they work.


  • Keypads: Keypads are used to arm and disarm the system and check the security system's status.

 

  • Main Security Panel: This is the brain of the wireless security system and can have a built-in radio receiver and a transmitter, or in some systems, it is wired to separate modules that take care of each of those functions.  Traditionally, the panel is also used to interface with a telephone line, or in some cases a long-range radio link is used instead.  This feature requires wiring for an external antenna.

 

The technological advances of recent years have allowed Internet- friendly interfaces.  This allows for the system operator to interact with the system form a remote location using a computer or mobile device.

 

  • Perimeter Sensors: The most common way to use sensors is to install them on every window and door that can be easily accessed from the outside.  Entrance sensors that can detect an open or closed state for a door or window are used the most.  A magnetic reed switch or a mechanical plunger switch that opens from a close-switch state when the door is opened protects doorways.

 

  • Window sensors operate in the same way, and there are many products on the market where the device can actually be embedded within the window frame making them virtually invisible.

  • Wireless Motion Sensors:  This type of sensor is used for internal protection, and can detect an intruder moving about the dwelling.  If there is an intrusion attempt, the alarm immediately sounds and sends a message to a monitoring station that will notify local police or the designated contact person.  Keep in mind that response time may not be immediate.

 

After a pre-determined time has elapse, the siren will stop, and that entry point will be ignored if it has not been closed.  However, as with any wireless security system, the internal motion sensors will detect if the intrusion is ongoing or has even reoccurred, and will re-trigger the alarm.

 

Motion sensors use a passive infrared technology; this means that they can be triggered by body heat that is emitted by the intruder as they are crossing the passive infrared beams of the sensor.

Some other components that are frequently added to wireless security systems are smoke detectors, heat sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices can be easily connected to a wireless module that is activated when a switch contact is opening or closing.

Going wireless to secure your dwelling can prove to be the most cost-effective solution to protecting your home, apartment, or condo. Now that you are somewhat familiar with the main components of a wireless security system you will have a good working knowledge of what to look for in a system for your home or apartment.