Not long ago, home security customers had one option when it came to transmitting their alarm's signal: a standard, land-based telephone line. This method worked quite well for many years. But then the rumors began to spread about burglars cutting phone lines, to prevent communication between alarms and central stations. It also didn't help that many consumers were dropping land based phone lines, in favor of cell phones and/or VOIP. The industry had to come up with alternative methods of sending an alarm's signal, or the public may have lost confidence in security systems altogether.
Alarm Signal Transmission Methods: Standard Phone Line & Dedicated
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Besides your landline (aka POTS -- Plain Old Telephone System) the most common transmission methods are Cellular (also known as GSM -- Global System for Mobile communications), Broadband/IP (Internet Protocol), Long range radio, and Dedicated alarm line. We've listed all of these methods here, along with their advantages/disadvantages, costs and reliability:
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Telephone (POTS):
Sending alarm signals across telephone lines is, of course, one of the oldest and most reliable methods. It is also the least expensive. Virtually every monitoring station is set up to use this method, and the only equipment needed (besides the alarm itself) is a special phone jack designed for alarm systems. A digital dialer built into most control panels does the rest.
When an alarm condition occurs, the special jack "seizes" the phone line (cuts anyone off who is currently on the phone and takes control of the line so it can call the monitoring station). Either a voice recording or data is sent to the monitoring station, with information about the signal (e.g. which device set off the alarm). The monitoring station will typically call the home to determine if the alarm is real, asking for a special passcode previously agreed upon. If an incorrect passcode is given, the appropriate authorities are dispatched.
Unfortunately, having been around so long, burglars are well-aware of this method's vulnerabilities. If this is the only communication avenue you have, cutting the phone line effectively disables the system. This is one of the reasons this type of primary communication method usually has a backup method installed.
If you have a land line and don't wish to pay extra for a radio or cellular backup, there are several simple methods you can use to protect your exterior phone line (right). There is also the possibility that your phone line physically enters your home underground. This can make it impossible for an intruder to disable your alarm before it sends its signal, provided your control panel is well protected.
Some consumers have the mistaken belief that with regular landline monitoring, their alarm is constantly communicating with the monitoring station. They are told that if the phone line is cut, their monitoring station will instantly know about it. This is not true. The truth is, your alarm will most likely be programmed to "report in" periodically, usually once per month. It could be more or less often, depending on your alarm company. All the more reason to test your alarm at least once per month, at a minimum!
Bottom Line On Landline Monitoring:
Pros: Other than a dedicated line, land line monitoring is by far the most reliable method of sending your alarm's signal; No additional modules or equipment required; Most economical way to transmit your alarm's signal; Phone line still active during power failure.
Cons: Possibility of line being cut; If you are not using a backup (radio, cellular, etc), you will need to protect your exposed phone line (i.e. metal conduit).
Sending alarm signals across telephone lines is, of course, one of the oldest and most reliable methods. It is also the least expensive. Virtually every monitoring station is set up to use this method, and the only equipment needed (besides the alarm itself) is a special phone jack designed for alarm systems. A digital dialer built into most control panels does the rest.
When an alarm condition occurs, the special jack "seizes" the phone line (cuts anyone off who is currently on the phone and takes control of the line so it can call the monitoring station). Either a voice recording or data is sent to the monitoring station, with information about the signal (e.g. which device set off the alarm). The monitoring station will typically call the home to determine if the alarm is real, asking for a special passcode previously agreed upon. If an incorrect passcode is given, the appropriate authorities are dispatched.
Unfortunately, having been around so long, burglars are well-aware of this method's vulnerabilities. If this is the only communication avenue you have, cutting the phone line effectively disables the system. This is one of the reasons this type of primary communication method usually has a backup method installed.
If you have a land line and don't wish to pay extra for a radio or cellular backup, there are several simple methods you can use to protect your exterior phone line (right). There is also the possibility that your phone line physically enters your home underground. This can make it impossible for an intruder to disable your alarm before it sends its signal, provided your control panel is well protected.
Some consumers have the mistaken belief that with regular landline monitoring, their alarm is constantly communicating with the monitoring station. They are told that if the phone line is cut, their monitoring station will instantly know about it. This is not true. The truth is, your alarm will most likely be programmed to "report in" periodically, usually once per month. It could be more or less often, depending on your alarm company. All the more reason to test your alarm at least once per month, at a minimum!
Bottom Line On Landline Monitoring:
Pros: Other than a dedicated line, land line monitoring is by far the most reliable method of sending your alarm's signal; No additional modules or equipment required; Most economical way to transmit your alarm's signal; Phone line still active during power failure.
Cons: Possibility of line being cut; If you are not using a backup (radio, cellular, etc), you will need to protect your exposed phone line (i.e. metal conduit).
Dedicated Alarm Line:
For relatively constant communication, there are dedicated telephone lines that can be leased from the phone company, in addition to any existing phone lines. The monitoring company can detect when one of these dedicated lines (also known as a "supervised" system) has been cut or tampered with, but the cost is considerable and this method is usually reserved for high-end facilities, such as banks and jewellery stores. Some dedicated lines are only used to monitor fire alarm panels in apartment buildings or office towers, for example. In our area, the DVACS (Digital Voice Access Control System) standard takes this a step further by sending a short signal or heartbeat across the dedicated line to the monitoring station every 90 seconds. When an expected signal doesn't show up, it's interpreted as a line cut or tampering.
If you want a dedicated alarm line for your home, here are some ballpark figures regarding cost (we are using figures from a DVAC intallation):
Alarm panel that is DVAC capable: Appr $900 more than a regular household alarm panel.
DVAC module (alarm company): $300
DVAC module (phone company): $400
Monitoring: $90 per month (including the charge for the extra phone line)
Installation charges
These are ballpark figures, the amount for a comparable system in your area may be higher or lower. You should also know that with new technologies emerging and maturing, both dedicated phone lines and the DVACS standard are being used and supported less and less.
For relatively constant communication, there are dedicated telephone lines that can be leased from the phone company, in addition to any existing phone lines. The monitoring company can detect when one of these dedicated lines (also known as a "supervised" system) has been cut or tampered with, but the cost is considerable and this method is usually reserved for high-end facilities, such as banks and jewellery stores. Some dedicated lines are only used to monitor fire alarm panels in apartment buildings or office towers, for example. In our area, the DVACS (Digital Voice Access Control System) standard takes this a step further by sending a short signal or heartbeat across the dedicated line to the monitoring station every 90 seconds. When an expected signal doesn't show up, it's interpreted as a line cut or tampering.
If you want a dedicated alarm line for your home, here are some ballpark figures regarding cost (we are using figures from a DVAC intallation):
Alarm panel that is DVAC capable: Appr $900 more than a regular household alarm panel.
DVAC module (alarm company): $300
DVAC module (phone company): $400
Monitoring: $90 per month (including the charge for the extra phone line)
Installation charges
These are ballpark figures, the amount for a comparable system in your area may be higher or lower. You should also know that with new technologies emerging and maturing, both dedicated phone lines and the DVACS standard are being used and supported less and less.
Above:
Linesafe.Net offers an economical way to protect your exterior phone line with metal conduit and junction box. You can install it yourself, or hire a professional.
Linesafe.Net offers an economical way to protect your exterior phone line with metal conduit and junction box. You can install it yourself, or hire a professional.
Transmitting Your Alarm Signal: Standard and Dedicated Phone Line Cellular Long Range Radio IP, Broadband, Voip