I was dead set against wireless sensors until a church job changed my mind

Had to wire up a 3 story church in Denver a couple of weeks back. Old stone walls, concrete everywhere. My usual wired route would have taken probably 4 days just running conduit and fishing lines. The customer wanted it done in 2 days for their weekend event. Grabbed a Honeywell wireless kit I had sitting in the van for 6 months. Slapped the sensors up in about 4 hours. Worked perfect, no signal drop issues. I always figured wireless was just for lazy installers but that job proved me wrong. Has anyone else had a job where wireless actually saved your butt?

3 comments

3 Comments

david_jones381mo ago

Did you read that one report from the security trade group last year? They tested a bunch of wireless systems in old buildings like churches and found most of them held up just as good as wired, which kinda surprised me too. I figure if it works in a stone box like that, it's probably fine for most houses.

hill.margaret1mo ago

Exactly. That old stone building test really proved a point for me. People get so hung up on the idea that wireless is flimsy but the technology has gotten way better than most realize. Even in houses with thick plaster and lath walls I have not seen wireless give me any real trouble. The key is getting a good mesh system or at least a strong central hub instead of just using those cheap stick-on sensors. Most of the complaints I hear come from people trying to use the bottom dollar equipment in a bad spot. Proper placement makes a huge difference too, you gotta think about where the signal has to travel.

violaramirez1mo ago

Totally agree @hill.margaret, that stone church story really shows how good wireless has gotten now.