How to Protect Your Home with a Wireless Security System

By: Alastair Lydeard

Have you ever watched a horror film where the villain snips the wires to a telephone or home alarm? The scariest part is realizing that, despite your home's security system, it could happen to you. In order to truly protect your home and family against the threat of break-ins, you need to invest in a wireless security system.

A wireless home security system is a burglar alarm that does not use wires to transmit messages; instead it uses radio waves to communicate. This leaves the burglar or the intruder clueless, unable to know which wires to cut to deactivate the alarm.

There are two kinds of wireless burglar alarms on the market. The first type is activated when the alarm is tripped, but only the homeowner or neighbors can hear the alarm. This kind of system doesn't make a whole lot of sense if you live in a rural area and are away from home when a break-in occurs. Another kind of wireless security system uses a monitoring device that will communicate a forced entry to a security company. When the alarm is triggered, the security company will check to see if it's a genuine break-in; if it is, they will call immediately to dispatch the local police.

The central brains of a wireless security system is the control panel, which can usually be located in the basement or a closet. Here, all the wireless signal data from the various magnetic switches and motion detectors in the home is sent. If the control panel detects a suspicious movement or door or window entry, it will sound the alarm or place a phone call to the monitoring staff at the security company.

Throughout the home, inconspicuous magnetic contacts and switches are attached to doors and windows. These consist of two parts: a magnet on the door or window, and a switch placed on the door jam or window sill. They simply detect movement by noting an increase in the distance between the switch and the magnet, which only occurs if a door or window is opened or forced open. The switch sends a wireless signal to the control panel, which sets off the alarm.

Large open spaces such as hallways can be equipped with wireless body sensors or motion detectors. Infrared motion or body heat changes are detected and a signal is sent to the main control panel. The panel gauges whether the movement is a person, and then sounds the alarm or alerts the monitoring station staff.

Every wireless security system comes equipped with a keypad, which is used by the homeowner to activate or deactivate the system. The keypad is normally installed next to the entry door, allowing the owner easy access to arm the system when leaving home, and disarm the system upon returning. Remote keys, much like a car alarm, can also be used to operate a wireless alarm system. The homeowner can also use the remote controller to switch lights on from a distance, giving the illusion that someone is occupying the house.

Some wireless security systems also have hidden or wall-mounted cameras, which connect to a video unit and recorder, such as a VCR. When movement is detected, the cameras record the scene onto the VCR. For extra fees, the cameras could also be monitored by staff of the security service.

There is no doubt that any home security system can offer a certain degree of protection for your property, or even your life. However, for the highest level of protection, a wireless security system is your best choice.