[ksb]

Hi all.
I am interested in getting a home alarm professionally installed . I would like to know whether i should go for a hard wired alarm or wire-free one. Please can someone advise including a professional installer. I have had some quotes and have found that some installers only do hard-wired and one i found was only doing wire-free. Its very confusing to know which one to go for. Cost is not a real issue as i want the best alarm as i am going to install it only once.
Advice will be much appreciated.

[vex]

Wireless is easier and has been getting better over the years. We have a wireless system from British Gas and it works really well.

There are even pet friendly PIRs now which were not available when we had ours installed.

V.

[ukbaggio]

ive been in the security business for 20 years and yes wireless has got better but hard wired is much better where about are you? thanks Baggio

[ksb]

I am in Essex, South East area. I have looked at both types of systems. One of the installers advised he would always go for hard-wired even though the technology for wireless has improved. He said he installs both becuase alot of people are now askinh for wire-free.
I guess the thing that puts most people off wirefree is the fact that wires have to be run all around the house and damage to decor. With wirefree this is not an issue but you have the added hassle of changing batteries forever and the uncertainty of wireless signals. Hard-wired will be always on and are cheaper than wireless as the equipment is more expensive. I wonder if installers are moving toward wirefree as more people are demanding it and does not take them long to install. Maybe the passionate installers are sticking to hard-wired as they know how good it is in comparison to wire-free. I dont know...

One of the installers who provided me a quote said that as i dont have hard flooring, running cables will not be a problem, the only issue i have if i go with hard-wired is how they will bring down cable through the ceiling as i have coving.

If the wireless technology had not improved then i would have a problem deciding.

Please all continue to add comments to help me and others

regards
ksb

[JohnS]

I'm a pro installer of 12 years in the south east and have been doing wirefree installs for that long. I do do wired but generally only in commercial premises where cables are not an issue. Domestic installs are 95% wirefree or maybe hybrid where we use a mix of wiring if its easy and wirefree where its not, this helps lower the cost a little.

In my experience the installers that slate wirefree have little or no experience of it. If you do "wired" most of the time then "wireless" is a completley different skill set. The programming/learning of detectors and control panels is completely different and varies between manufacturers.

Yes wired systems are very reliable but wireless is too if installed correctly and the right equipment selected to suit the particular install. Wirefree can be put on police response if required the same as a wired system so it is reliable. Battery's give low warnings before they are exhausted but are normally changed at an annual check which is usually sufficient. We guarantee that they last between services.

Wirefree is reliable enough for us to give a "FREE" callout service to maintained systems and that includes the batteries.

Wirefree allows us to design a system with no regard to how easy it is to get a cable to a certain place. This means we can design it to suit without compromise. It also allows easy expansion a a later stage if required. You can also do remote garages/sheds etc with no problem within the range of the system.

[ksb]

Hi John

Thanks for your comments.

How long do the batteries really last in the wirefree components?
The cost of the batteries can mount up if you quite a few components cant they?, how much do the batteries cost?

Are batteries normally included in the annual maintenance or they charged for as an extra?

If batteries need replacing between services, can these be changed by anyone or does it require an engineer to do and re-programme? Is the extra cost of batteries still make it more feasible to go for wirefree compared to wired?

You stated that it depends on the right equipment, which equipment is good? I have been quoted for a wirefree system manufactured by Risco, are they any good? In my house i will have about 9 PIR's and the quote given also included 3 wirefree vibration detectors. ( in total 12 components not including the keypad/siren which is better wired).

What issues are generally common to wirefree systems if any?

regards
ksb

[JohnS]

How long do the batteries really last in the wirefree components?
The cost of the batteries can mount up if you quite a few components cant they?, how much do the batteries cost?

Are batteries normally included in the annual maintenance or they charged for as an extra?

The detector battery's vary between systems. Some use alakaline AA or AAA size which are cheap to replace, others use lithium 3v batteries like a CR2 which seem to be about £4 each. But often last longer than a year so it averages out to a similar annual/monthly fee. I charge on average £20 per year extra for a wireless system but obviously this depends on the size of the system to get an exact figure.

If batteries need replacing between services, can these be changed by anyone or does it require an engineer to do and re-programme? Is the extra cost of batteries still make it more feasible to go for wirefree compared to wired?

If we install and maintain a system we guarantee that the detector batteries last until the next service. If they need changing in between that would class as a free callout from us although other companies may differ. Most systems these days require an engineer reset following a tamper fault. A tamper fault would occur if you tried to change the batteries (including the rechargeable control panel battery) on all systems including wired ones.

If you intend to have a system professionally installed, expect to have a maintinence plan. This will often be a small print clause in your home insurance policy anyway.

You stated that it depends on the right equipment, which equipment is good? I have been quoted for a wirefree system manufactured by Risco, are they any good? In my house i will have about 9 PIR's and the quote given also included 3 wirefree vibration detectors. ( in total 12 components not including the keypad/siren which is better wired).

What issues are generally common to wirefree systems if any?

Risco is okay, not my favourite but acceptable/good in some instances, it depends more on which Risco product as they have 4 or 5 different ways of doing wireless and one I wouldn't touch.

Keypad and siren being wired is quite common even on a wireless system. Wireless siren's have recently become available and are a good problem solver for difficult installs but not essential. Wireless keypads are also available as are remote setting devices (keyfobs).

I always try to sit down with my customers and prompt them with ideas of what we can achieve to suit them best (and conform with standards) and then pick the most suitable wired/wirefree/hybrid option for the property and the requirement.

What issues are generally common to wirefree systems if any?

The systems are pretty reliable if installed correctly. There are many installation pitfallls for the uninitiated/inexperienced (I have learn't the hard way). Things like foil coated plasterboard and metal studwork in modern houses can catch you out or thick walls in older property's. I once had to use 4 radio receivers on a large system because there were walls the radio couldn't get through (it was a big system, 40 zones, and the walls were upto a metre thick.) Definitely need to site survey to quote for all wireless installs.

[ksb]

Thanks for the info John.

The Risco product is Risco GT595 control panel, with wireless immune PIRs (RWT92P), Wireless hybrid shock detectors (RWT6SW) , door contact (RWT72MIQ)

[JohnS]

Risco use the same range of wireless detectors no matter which control panel they go with.

Its hard for me to comment on the choice of control panel without having seen the property but its probably not the one I would pick.

[Big Ells]

Sorry to jump in on another thread but i also have been looking at wireless alarms and have been getting the same mixed comment by installers, none of which i have felt overly comfortable with.

What areas do you cover John?

[ksb]

No problem, thread is to invite as many people as possible and share views and experiences for benefit of all.

Yeah i had the same thing. I think you cant go wrong with hard-wired as there is no tweaking required and is always 'on' and dont ever have to worry about batteries.
Hower if it dificult to conceal cabling then wire free is the better option.

I spoke to an installer who has been doing alarms for 30yrs and installs both types of systems. He said he would always recommend hard wired even though wire free had improved over the years.

[ksb]

John
Based on your experience which make/combination of wirefree would you normally go for? i have asked 5 people for quotes and they all seem to be using different manufacturers?

[JohnS]

What areas do you cover John?

South East mainly but ease of access off of the motorways helps the more distant ones. Regulations state that we need to offer a 4 hour call out facility so that is the governing issue although remote diagnostics help a great deal with that.

[Big Ells]

I live in Hertfordshire fella, just off Junction 25 on the M25.

[D4RK1]

Im an installer and would also go for wired over wire free. granted its not always possible to run cables to every device, but wired panels can run wireless kit too. Id confidently say i could wire most houses completely concealing all cables, but you get what you pay for with installers.

Mark

[Big Ells]

The main issue i have is its a 70 year old house and i dont really want the wires showing around the edge, i really only need 3 in the house and i would like one in the garage that is at the bottom of the garden, hince wireless. So many decisions lol

Sorry to jump in but this is just the thread I have been looking for!

Basically I'm in the same postion RE alarm for the house, and had been considering wired until most of the comapnies I contacted suggested wireless.

I have had quotes for two systems - Risco and Honeywell 'Galaxy' series which are very similar but just wondered if one manufacture was more respected than another??

Thnaks for any advice

Dave

[JohnS]

The Galaxy is tried and tested in the wired arena but I have personally tried it, it'son my list of things to do.

Risco have a number of wireless products, are they taking about the Wisdom or Agility? Both use the same detectors but different control panels.

My preference is for the Scantronic hybrid range but then I've done hundreds of them. Nice and stable long term.

[ksb]

i finally had my system installed a hard-wired one is what i went for. The installer had 30yrs experience and recommended a hard-wired one even though he installs both. Although the wirefree ones have improved alot , he said you will never be able to beat the hard-wired one.
I was very concerned about the cabling being seen, but there is not a single wire that is visible, everything was concealed and very professional;y done. They have clever ways of getting the wiring through. Its only when you have a lot of hard flooring is it very difficult. With carpet its very easy.

Most wirefee systems are actually hybrid because most installers dont like using wifree control panels, keypads or bells as this is the core and they like to hard wire these anyway. Its just the detectors that are wirefee most of the time.

Ive got a Scantronic panel with Risco detectors.
Im glad i went for hardwired now. No worrying about signals problems or batterry replacements forever.