Wired or Wireless Networking Must Be Professionally Built

Watchlight’s professional installers can protect your home with hardwired or wireless technology, for both your alarm system and communication path. Most alarm systems offer hardwired and wireless options when it comes to installing protection devices, and there are also some systems that are hybrid, and will support both hardwired and wireless components.

Hardwired vs Wireless

System Components

When your alarm system is hardwired, all of the devices protecting your location, such as the keypad, door and window sensors, motion detectors, etc. are connected via wire from the device to the main control panel. Our installers specialize in organized and clean wire runs, as well as conduit installation if necessary.

Pros

  • No interference in signaling from the device to the control panel
  • Work better for larger homes, multi-story buildings, and warehouses containing a lot of metal
  • No batteries to replace in the sensors

Cons

  • Take more time to install
  • Risk wires being cut, affecting performance

When your alarm system is wireless, all of your devices will contain batteries, and will transmit RF signals to a receiver, which transmits the signals to the main control panel, all within milliseconds!

Pros

  • Flexibility. Ability to move sensors easily.
  • No wires to cut

Cons

  • Sensors that are too far away from the receiver could have issues transmitting signals
  • Signal interference could from other devices emitting Radio Frequency (RF) can interrupt signals

Communication

Hardwired communication refers to your alarm system communicating to a Central Monitoring Station via POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), or landline. Your alarm system will contain a phone jack, and will require a phone cord connection from this jack to a phone jack installed at your location for phone service. Your alarm system can share a phone line / number with your main phone or fax machine, or it can have a dedicated phone line / number. Your alarm system, when an alarm signal is activated, will communicate with the Central Station by calling a specified phone number that is answered by the Central Stations receiver, and an automation system will transmit that signal to Dispatchers, telling them what kind of signal the alarm system in sending (door activation, window activation, motion activation, etc.), and which account / customer the signal is coming from.

Pros

  • No interference in communication

Cons

  • Risk of wire being cut, ceasing communication
  • System will not be compatible with smartphone applications

Wireless communication refers to your alarm system communicating to a Central Monitoring Station via cellular or network signaling. Your alarm system, if communicating via cellular signals will have a cellular communicator or chip built in, or a module hardwired to the control panel. The alarm signals are transmitted to the Central Monitoring Station via cell tower, and will involve a third party cellular communications provider, such as Verizon, AT&T, etc. If communicating via Network, your alarm system will also have a built in network communicator or chip, or hardwired module. In addition, you will connect this communicator to your location’s internet service via Ethernet or WiFi connection. The alarm signals are transmitted to the Central Monitoring Center via the internet service provided by your personal Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Pros

  • No risk of wires being cut
  • Compatible with smartphone applications to control your alarm system from anywhere

Cons

  • Communication / Signaling interference can occur

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