Wireless Systems and How to Install Them

Due to reduction in costs, setting up a wireless security system is now more affordable for a lot of folks. There are a lot of reasons why this is so. Some people use wireless security cameras for their ease of installation. Other people use them because running wires is impossible or not cost effective. It does not matter why but the fact remains that a wireless system is very much preferred by a lot of homeowners.

Wireless security cameras are so popular because users can literally put them almost everywhere they feel that protection is needed -- and you do not have to worry about snaking wires inside the walls. The placement of a wireless security system is very flexible and easy to install, as long as the installer does his or her homework. Wireless security cameras have a very high failure rate on initial install if precautions are not taken.

What can possibly go wrong? Say you install the camera and give it power, but there is no signal picking up on the receiver side. Luckily, this problem can be solved with some due diligence. If you are thinking of doing the install on your own or with help from a friend, there are three frequencies that are on the market for the general public.

Frequencies that are Available: 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz
Remember that the lower the frequency, the more walls your system can get through

* 900MHz wireless security cameras can be used in installs where the signal has to go through trees or dry wall in order to reach the wireless receiver. At the same time, this bandwidth will have minimal issues with other devices, which means that the signal can be transmitted strongly. The drawback is that right now there are only two channels available on this frequency, making its use very limited.
* 2.4GHz wireless security cameras are the most common on the market. So are 2.4GHz phones, wireless routers, keyboards, and mice that we all use. That means all these devices are competing for the same bandwidth. As a result, a lot of the wireless 2.4GHz security cameras fail. There are up to 12 channels available on 2.4GHz frequency that you can select for transmission, but unfortunately, it's hard to find one channel that is not already being used, especially if you live in a big city.

This is where the 5.8GHz transmitters and receivers come in. The signal is clean and the probability of success in installing a wireless camera system is much higher. The nice thing about this frequency is you can connect more than eight wireless cameras to it. But the 5.8GHz frequency has an issue. It does not go through walls as effectively as the 900MHz or 2.4GHz frequency. This is a huge disadvantage.

So right now, we have 900MHz, where you can only have two cameras on it (not very practical), and 2.4GHz, which has almost every device known to man on it, and 5.8GHz, which is relatively clean, but fails when you try to send the signal through walls. To get around these problems, the 5.8GHz systems are now being improved with better antennas and more powerful transmitters. As a result of this addition, 5.8GHz wireless security cameras can now send a camera signal through a wall.

If you find a 5.8GHz camera and receiver on the market for under $200, chances are it has a 10 milliwatt transmitter in it, which is the lowest power transmitter on the market. In ideal conditions with line of sight, you can stretch it to 300 feet (in theory). In reality though, that is never the case. The signal strength is reduced by interference and walls. If you are looking for a camera that can transmit video up to 500 feet away, you need a camera with at least a 100mw transmitter. For a distance greater than that, let's say 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet, you need a system with a one watt transmitter.

These are very general numbers and can change based on the distance, weather, and availability of a clear line of sight. A good way to increase the odds of success is to put the security camera and receiver antenna as high as possible so that they have a clear line of sight. Before you buy any system however, ensure that you identify your own specific needs for a security system so that you receive the appropriate protection for your home or business. And if you still are not comfortable choosing the right system for your needs, just consult a professional!

Article Source: http://gamblingarticlessite.com

Mario is a retiree who is now into IM, promoting a really varied collection of sites, from toilet bowl cleaners to discounted baby halloween costumes , so come check out his sites.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated