In an age where nearly everything can be networked without wire, wireless home security systems are growing in popularity, especially among the do-it-yourself crowd. Installing a complete system without the need to drill holes and run several thousand feet of wire to power battery-operated devices and several thousand more feet to connect the devices to the main alarm panel is very attractive to may installers.
Additionally, with the size of many alarm components shrinking and being used as for covert surveillance, some of the wires and connectors used in devices that need to be hard-wired are bigger than the newer, smaller cameras and sensors. Miniature transmitters built into the units can transmit their signals several hundred feet and are not slowed down by walls and floors and the receivers are equally as powerful and many are designed to isolate the signal so the controller can determine from which device the signal has emanated.
Security sensors can include door and window contacts that activate the alarm instantly as well as thermal and motion sensors that can invisibly detect the presence of a person in a room and send a signal to the main controller. The main controller of course, is going to require some wiring for power and a connection to an automatic dialer if applicable, but other than that and some short antenna wires, they can be installed in an average home in about a half day.
In most homes, wireless home security alarms will be installed on all entry doors and in place of window contacts or glass breakage sensors, floor pads can be used under carpets or motion sensors installed in rooms that trigger the alarm if any movement is detected. Thermal sensors can also be used that detect any significant change in the ambient temperature of an unoccupied room. These types of sensors work well with wireless home security systems, and can be attached to any wall or ceiling without needing to run any wires to the individual units.
The one drawback to many of the wireless home security components is their need for power. Most are battery operated and a few may require a connection to an electric outlet to keep their batteries charged. However, most use batteries that will need replacing about once every 30 days. Using rechargeable batteries can cut long-term expense as one set can be in the charger while a second set powers the unit. For those sensors that are placed outdoors, such as driveway alarm switches, they are available with solar power that charge the batteries and operate the unit during the day and operate on battery during the night.
In addition to the benefit of not having to run a lot of wire to connect everything with a wireless home security system, if at any time a homeowner decides they need to move a component, all they have to do is move it. There are no wire to move with it and no connections that may come loose rendering the device useless.
