Installation - Professional or DIY?
Ok, you’ve decided a wireless system is for you but what’s the next stage? Well, one of the first things to consider is do you want to install it yourself or do you need some professional help?
Now, don’t let your pride get in the way, because there are some fundamental differences depending on what you choose. If you decide to opt for the DIY route, then you are slightly limited in the benefits your system can provide.
The main thing is that it won’t be monitored all day (unless you’re going to pay someone to sit at the monitors, or feel like doing it yourself!). Some do not come with the ability to alert the necessary authorities either (police, fire services etc), so if this is important to you, check out the specification of the kit you choose carefully. Some people install very simple systems for reasons other than protecting their home from burglars, (e.g. to keep watch over their baby’s bedroom), so perhaps it’s not so important to you have the ability to send an alarm.
A professionally installed alarm, however, has none of these problems. There is 24 hr monitoring, and the relevant people are notified instantly there is a problem. The main control unit is hard wired into your home, and that includes the telephone line. Some of the DIY kits that do have the ability to communicate to the authorities will normally use your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to do this.
Don’t forget to consider the types of alarm that you’re going to need. Apart form the obvious fire alarm and intruder alarm, there’s also panic buttons (perhaps you have an elderly relative in the house?) that can be instructed to contact the relevant medical authorities should the alarm be raised.
The main control panel co-ordinates everything. It’s usually connected to the main electricity supply, but some can run off of batteries. When an alarm is tripped, it sends a signal to the main control panel via radio waves – which have no trouble traveling through walls, hence no need for wires. The control unit then does whatever you’ve told it to – it will call your mobile, a friend or spouse, maybe, and you can then decide whether to call the police or not – and avoiding a large fine for a false call out in the process. If you decide it needs more investigating, or don’t answer your phone, the system notifies the authorities. You have control over this sequence, so if you want it to call the police straight away, it can do that too.
Don’t forget that if you’ve opted for having cameras installed, these can send their signal to a VCR so you can have everything recorded for the benefit of the police. Remember, the camera never lies!