I still run wire in new builds even though everyone says to go wireless

Last week in a Denver suburb, I pulled Cat6 for a full system in a house where the builder had already put in wireless sensors. The owner called me back a month later because their Wi-Fi router died and the whole alarm went down. How do you guys handle the push for all wireless from builders who don't get the risk?

3 comments

3 Comments

holly_brown2mo ago

But how often do routers actually die? I've had the same one for years with no issues, so maybe the risk is a bit overblown. A lot of systems are cloud-based now anyway, so a quick internet outage wouldn't matter if the monitoring center gets a cellular signal.

caseypalmer2mo ago

My old router lasted a decade, so I'm with you on this one.

smith.blair1mo ago

Read a study a while back that said the average lifespan of a consumer router is about 3 to 5 years. After that the components start wearing down and it can drop connections or overheat. So yours lasting years is lucky, not typical. The cloud stuff helps, but if your power goes out and the router dies when it comes back, cellular backup on the alarm won't matter because your local network is dead.