Installing a doorbell cam is a quick, easy and low-cost way to add a security device to your front door. These wireless systems can alert you when someone approaches your home or rings the bell, and offer features like video downloads and voice communications, such as informing a delivery driver where to leave a parcel.
The issue, as with a lot of wireless equipment, is that doorbell cams are simply hung on a wall or fence and therefore are very easy to tamper with or obscure. Many homeowners have found that their reliance on a doorbell cam has left them unexpectedly vulnerable to break-ins, which is why we, as home security specialists, would caution against a false sense of safety.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of a wireless vs a wired home alarm system installation, how both options work, and some of the potential pitfalls to be conscious of.
Why Doorbell Cams Aren’t a Perfect Security Measure
Doorbell cams are undoubtedly popular. They often make life easier for people working away from home who want to monitor activity, those who don’t want to be interrupted by answering the door to cold callers, and for general peace of mind, as homeowners can check who is outside before responding.
However, one of the increasing issues we’re coming across is that doorbell cams are being perceived as a viable alternative to a properly installed home security system, which they are not. Some of the issues we’ve encountered include:
- Dependency on a doorbell cam that covers only one entrance, leaving garden gates, side returns and back doors unsupervised.
- The misconception that having a doorbell cam will deter intruders. The opposite is often true, with criminals seeing these cameras as a sign that valuables are inside.
- Using doorbell cams that rely on a stable Wi-Fi connection to function and stop working when batteries run low or malfunction in weather such as heavy rain.
While that doesn’t mean doorbell cams aren’t useful, they don’t offer the level of security you’d expect from a wired system.
There is also the risk of criminals using social engineering tactics, posing as delivery drivers or workers to gain entry to a home, or removing a doorbell cam from the wall or covering the lens, rendering the device redundant.
If you’re unsure whether your current security measures provide adequate protection, we offer a free home security check to identify any vulnerabilities and recommend the most appropriate solutions for your property.
The Differences Between Wired Home Alarm Systems and Doorbell Cams
Wired systems are much more complex than doorbell cams. Although they typically cost a little more, that’s due to the professional installation required and the advanced capabilities they offer homeowners.
One of the biggest contrasts is in the installation of burglar alarm systems and how they are integrated with your electrical supply. Unlike a doorbell cam, they don’t need regular battery changes or to be recharged every few weeks to stop the unit from running out of power.
Each sensor is linked with a wired connection. This not only means alarms are continuously powered but also that alerts can be transmitted without Wi-Fi, which may be ideal if your internet connection isn’t strong or tends to cut out.
Wired systems can’t simply be removed or covered, and they’re incredibly difficult to tamper with, especially when your alarms have been fitted by qualified engineers. Criminals cannot hack a wired system in the same way they can block the signal to a wireless connection, and would need to physically reach your control panel to deactivate your alarms.
Additionally, you can install as many sensors as you need to provide complete coverage of your property, with the option to programme individual zones according to your requirements.
How Professional Wired Alarm Systems Improve Home Security
The wired burglar alarms we supply are accredited to EN 50131 Grade 2, which is the standard for intruder alarm systems designed to protect properties and buildings with a moderate theft risk, ideal for residential homes and smaller businesses.
To achieve this rating, systems need to be able to reliably identify when an intruder may be attempting to gain entry, with features such as:
- Protection against tampering
- Accurate motion sensors and door contacts
- Back-up batteries in the event of a power cut
- Detailed time- and date-stamped event logs
Importantly, our alarm systems are fully programmable, allowing homeowners to choose which zones are activated and which are not, and to assign up to six remote keypads to each family member or regular visitor.
Homeowners can allocate codes to everyone who needs access to their properties, including relatives, friends, pet sitters, cleaners, and children, or let each person pick their own code to turn the alarms off or set them when entering or leaving, without a shared code that could be forgotten.
Key Functions Within Advanced Wired Burglar Alarms
Alongside the programmable capabilities we’ve mentioned, home alarm systems from Eydens incorporate various features that offer peace of mind that your home is protected, including:
- An 8-channel communicator interface, which is a built-in feature that enables your alarm panel to send signals and alerts to you, the police or a monitoring service. They could include notifications of movement, telling you where and when this occurred, and tamper alerts.
- Alarms that automatically activate if a wire is cut, a criminal attempts to bypass a sensor, or a cable is damaged.
- Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) compliance, which means alarms verify that an intrusion is genuine before notifying you or the police, reducing the risk of false alarms.
- Anti-code reset functions, which lock the system once an alarm is triggered. This safeguard requires homeowners to give a displayed random code to their security company to unlock the system, preventing intruders from deactivating the alarm even if they have accessed your code.
The major benefit is that your alarms are designed to withstand tampering attempts, remain active continuously, and can be customised to your home, whether you prefer to have only downstairs sensors live during the night or want specific rooms or entrances to be alarmed when you’re busy elsewhere.
If you’d like more guidance about home security, you’re welcome to get in touch with the Eydens Locksmiths and Security team to discuss wired home alarm systems and we’ll be able to advise on the most appropriate options for your property.
