How to Keep a Home Alarm System Running During Power Outages

One of the primary benefits of having a home alarm and security system at your property is that it provides you with round-the-clock security and peace of mind. But what happens if the power goes out? Do you suddenly lose that 24-hour protection, or are there ways to keep your alarm systems intact?

In these situations, security system functionality depends primarily on the kind of system you have installed in your home. Here’s an overview of what happens to home alarm systems during a power outage based on the different system types.

• Alarms over phone lines: If you have an alarm system that operates via phone lines, the system will still communicate with the monitoring center so long as phone lines remain operational. Just because the power goes out does not mean your phones go out, even if they are landlines. In addition, your home’s main security control panel will usually operate on backup power for a certain amount of time. Of course, if the outage was caused by a storm that also knocked over phone lines, you might have difficulties with operation.
• Alarms over cellular radio: This type of home security system works during power outages to draw power from a backup battery for at least a few hours. Because it works over cellular radio, you don’t have to worry about communication being affected by power outages in your area.
• Alarms over internet: Alarm systems that run over the internet are most likely to go out during power outages, because the loss of power will result in a loss of internet access. No internet connection means the system will stop communicating with the monitoring center until power is restored in your area and you once again have an internet connection.
• Alarms over VoIP: Wireless home security systems using voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) take power from home phone lines and have battery backups. However, if power outages result in an internet outage, this type of system will likely stop communicating with monitoring centers. Some security companies offer methods for VoIP systems to stay connected to those centers in an outage.

With all this in mind, the most helpful step you can take to protect your home alarm system during a power outage in Houston, TX, is to select a system that isn’t as vulnerable to those outages in the first place. Each type of home security system will be capable of producing high-quality results to give your home the protection you need.

If you have a system that runs using backup power or batteries, it is important to make sure you have batteries that are charged and prepared for use. Some of the components that might take batteries include keypads, control panels, door locks, thermostats, smoke alarms, wireless cameras and door and window sensors.

If you are interested in learning more about security system options and how you can provide them with the backup power they need in the event of an outage, contact our battery store in Houston, TX.

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This post was written by Writer