ARE ALARMS WORTH CONSIDERING?

▶ With so many intelligent Wifi security solutions available – also often referred to as IP (Internet Protocol) Cameras or Lights – are traditional alarms a thing of the past? The short answer is no. Remember that the excellent security fog systems need an alarm system to trigger them. And even if most of us wouldn’t go to such extreme lengths as installing fog machines, sound blasters and strobe lights are cheap, easily available, and can be integrated into most alarms. Even without smoke, the environment they create is damned unpleasant and enough to make all but the most determined villains run.

Well designed alarms also make extensive use of “border security”.

This means that the sensors chosen tend to trigger the alarm before the intruder gains entry – such as when they’re trying to lever a window open. Psychologically this works in two ways. First, the villain will be aware that the noise will draw attention to their obviously dodgy, and very visible, activities, and most will quit. Second, if a thief gets inside before triggering the alarm, they almost certainly won’t leave empty handed.

Alarms can either be wired or wireless, and wireless seems like the easier option. But, other than simpler installation, wired systems are superior in all other ways.

All six wire (industry standard) systems work in the same way, so there’s a massive selection of compatible sensors and accessories available for them.

These accessories are much cheaper, too, because they don’t require radio transmitters and receivers. Wired sensors obviously don’t need replacement batteries periodically either.

Should part of the system die, it’s normally easy to source a compatible replacement. That’s not always true with wireless systems, where different manufacturers and models utilise different radio frequencies and signal coding.