Alarm panels: wired, wireless or hybrid, how to choose?

The panel is the heart of the intrusion system: it receives the detector signals, manages zones, triggers sounders and warns the user. Poor sizing is paid for over the whole life of the installation. Here are the questions to ask before choosing.

1. How many zones today, and in three years?

Count every point to monitor: doors, windows, volumes, garage, outbuildings. Add a 30 % margin for extensions. A K4 panel (4 expandable zones) suits a flat or a small shop; a K8 covers a villa or a business; the X412, X824 and X864 ranges go up to 64 zones for commercial premises, warehouses and buildings.

2. Wired, wireless or hybrid?

• Wired: the most reliable and cheapest to run (no batteries), to be preferred in new builds or major renovations when conduits are accessible.
• Wireless: essential in occupied buildings, rented premises or listed buildings. Check the real range through load-bearing walls and plan battery replacement every two to three years.
• Hybrid: the best compromise for most sites. The VITA 24 and VITA 64 panels accept wired zones and radio devices on the same board, and include a LAN port.

3. How will the user be warned?

A sounder alone is no longer enough. Depending on the site, plan a GSM or PSTN telephone dialler, or an IP-connected panel with a mobile app. For commercial premises, remote monitoring by an alarm receiving centre remains the safest option.

4. The keypad, the everyday interface

This is what the customer handles every day: choose it legible and simple. An LCD keypad with proximity tags avoids typing codes and reduces false alarms in the morning.

5. Power supply and standby

Size the backup battery for at least 12 hours of standby, sounders included. On sites where power cuts are frequent, plan a higher-capacity battery and a suitable enclosure.

In summary

Unsure about a configuration? Send us the site plan: we will propose the equipment list and a quote.