As the computer world steams headlong into using Wi-Fi to wirelessly connect just about everything on networks, our industry is following suit. As a 42-year veteran of this business I remember the trials and tribulations and just plain hard work that was required to pull low-voltage cables to all security devices such as door contacts and motion detectors. Now by using Wi-Fi, installers only have to be concerned with a power connection, potentially eliminating the “home run” wiring back to the alarm control panel. Installations are faster, and Wi-Fi can provide device location flexibility. This is particularly important with the explosion of Wi-Fi video cameras, some of which are designed to be mounted outside to watch front doors, delivery people etc.
While Wi-Fi is great and wonderful, being wireless it doesn’t provide a visual indication of signal quality or strength. With some installations technicians can mount Wi-Fi devices, check them for functionality, and move on to the next phase of the job without testing the Wi-Fi. What isn’t often tested is the bandwidth and quality of the Wi-Fi signals between the device and the related Wi-Fi access point.