Wireless Alarm Sirens Posts

One great thing about owning a PowerG Security System is that it is super easy to add a wireless siren. DSC manufactures an indoor model and an outdoor model for PowerG users. Whether you are looking for a DSC NEO Wireless Siren or a new siren for an IQ Panel 2 Plus, we have you covered!

The two (2) sirens in the PowerG lineup include the DSC PG9901 Indoor Alarm Siren and the DSC PG9911B Outdoor Alarm Siren w/ Strobe. Both will easily pair with any system that supports PowerG Sensors. These systems include the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, the DSC PowerSeries NEO w/ added PowerG Transceiver, and the DSC Iotega Security System. Both sirens work great, and they can make a nice addition to nearly any compatible alarm panel.

The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the DSC Iotega already include their own built-in sounders that will activate during alarm events. But if you are using the system in a larger home or business, or if you find that the internal sounder isn't loud enough, then you might consider adding an external siren as well. Meanwhile, the DSC PowerSeries NEO Systems are wired panels that are typically paired with hardwired sirens. But if you want to skip the process for wiring a siren, then adding a wireless PowerG Siren can be the perfect solution.

There are two (2) main benefits to adding an external siren with a security system. The first is that most external sirens are louder than the internal sounders built into alarm panels. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the DSC Iotega both have internal sounders rated at 85 dB. The DSC PG9901 and the DSC PG9911B are both rated at 110 dB. Remember that volume increases exponentially with the decibel (dB) rating, so you are certainly getting a major increase in volume output with a DSC PowerG Wireless Siren.

The other major benefit to adding an external siren is that it spreads the sound out during an alarm event. Just because you add an external siren to your wireless system does not mean that the system's internal siren will stop functioning. Instead, both the system's internal sounder and the added siren will activate during alarm events. If you have the external siren in a different area, then you can really spread the sound out. This can be crucial for making sure that everyone on the premises is alerted.

Sirens activate during intrusion, fire, and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on a system, unless the alarms are specifically set to silent. There are many purposes to alarm sirens, and every system should have one set up. First and foremost, a siren alerts building occupants to let them know that there is danger and that they need to evacuate immediately. A good alarm siren can mean the difference between life and death in many situations.

Sirens also provide assistance to emergency responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult for a responder to determine which home or business is experiencing an emergency. A siren helps eliminate this issue, as the emergency responder will know to go to the location where the siren is coming from. Lastly, sirens are useful during intrusion alarms, as they will often scare off an intruder and prevent them from sticking around to cause more property damage. This is why every security system should have a functional siren set up and configured. And if you have a larger home or business, then setting up multiple alarm sirens is probably in your best interest.

For basic indoor use, the DSC PG9901 is an ideal option. This DSC Indoor Siren produces sounds of up to 110 dB, which is roughly as loud as an industrial grade chainsaw or a live rock concert in a typical venue. If you need a siren for outdoor use, then you should go with the DSC PG9911B. This siren also operates at 110 dB, but it is built to withstand an outdoor environment with its IP55 protection rating. The DSC PG9911B also includes a built-in strobe light, which can be a nice visual indication of an alarm. Please note that some jurisdictions may have restrictions on the color of strobe lights you can use. Make sure to check local laws and see if blue strobe lights are allowed in your area.

Both the DSC PG9901 and the DSC PG9911B are available from Alarm Grid. We're happy to help you get started with a new PowerG Siren. If you have any questions about the DSC PG9901, the DSC PG9911B, or any of the other products on our site, please contact us at support@alarmgrid.com. We operate support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! As you may know, testing your equipment is an integral part of owning an alarm system. But your testing should go beyond just making sure your sensors work properly and that your panel communicates with the central station. Testing your sirens and sounders is also important.

When you activate your monitoring service with Alarm Grid, there will undoubtedly be some testing involved. Our team will be checking to see if your system sends out signals successfully. This is a vital part of receiving a certificate of alarm so that you can get a discount on your homeowner's insurance. And as a DIY installer, you will be checking to make sure that all your sensors work properly. This includes things like walking through a room to see if your motion sensor notices your presence and opening and closing your doors and windows to check that your contact sensors perform correctly. But what about your sirens?

Look, we know that testing your sirens isn't the most fun. They're loud. They scare pets. They make children cry. With that in mind, it's no surprise that some users decide to disconnect their sirens during system testing. This is perfectly fine in theory. After all, your system will still be able to communicate out, and its sensors will still work properly. You might think that you can just add your sirens later after testing. However, we're here to tell you that testing your sirens and having them activate is a step that every alarm system owner should take.

But why should you test your sirens? The reason actually goes beyond the obvious answer of making sure the sounders and strobes work. It's also smart to have a good idea of exactly what your system's sirens sound like. That way if an emergency does occur, you will have a better chance of knowing immediately what is going on. Keep in mind that not all sirens are created equal. They can differ in terms of volume and pitch. By taking the time to listen to your siren, you are more likely to be ready if there ever is an emergency.

Another thing that many users don't realize is that there are usually different noises for different types of alarms. For example, an activated smoke detector will typically produce a temporal 3 sound (three consecutive tones, then a pause, repeated), while an activated carbon monoxide detector will typically produce a temporal 4 sound (four consecutive tones, plus a pause, repeated). There are also continuous tone alarms (one long, steady tone) that are commonly used for burglary and intrusion alarms. Knowing what each alarm sounds like can potentially save your life in an emergency. For example, how you respond to a break-in won't necessarily be how you respond to a fire!

At Alarm Grid, we want all our customers to be prepared when alarms occur. This includes knowing what sounds your equipment makes. If you're a monitored customer, we are happy to help you however we can. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com with your questions. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to helping you get the very most out of all your alarm system equipment. That includes your sirens, sounders and strobes!

If you're like many system owners, you're looking for a way to add a new noisemaker to your security setup. Maybe you need a louder sounder or you want audible alarms to occur in a second location. In any case, a wireless siren may provide the perfect solution, especially for DIY users.

External alarm system sirens aren't just for users with hardwired alarm control panels. These devices make a great addition to almost any setup. Adding an external sounder is now easier than ever before thanks to the rise of wireless sirens. Unlike their hardwired predecessors, wireless sirens do not need a relay module or a complicated power supply. Most can receive power through regular batteries and stay operational for years on end. Programming is generally very easy even for novice users. And we're not talking about a conventional hardwired siren that is operated using a wireless relay like a Honeywell 5800RL We're talking about true wireless sirens that communicate directly with the security panel.

There remains a common misconception that hardwired sirens are significantly louder than their wireless counterparts. While there are still industrial and commercial locations that need hardwired sounders, the reality is that there are some extremely loud wireless sirens available for almost any alarm system. Nearly every home can get the results they need using a wireless sounder. And if you're a DIY user installing your own home security system, there's practically no reason to even consider using a hardwired device when you can get great results using a wireless sounder.

At the end of the day, there are still louder wired siren options than wireless sirens. But the difference is not as big as you might expect. We have encountered wired sirens that produce sounds of up to 120-125 dB. Meanwhile, the most powerful wireless sirens tend to top out at the 105-110 dB rang. But there are almost no residential applications that need the power of a hardwired siren! A 105 dB wireless siren will still alert everyone in the building to an alarm event. Keep in mind that 105 dB is about as loud as a powerful table saw. You will certainly hear it!

Once you decide that a wireless siren is right for you, the question becomes which one to get. It can be difficult to decide with all the great options available. But we're here to break down the options and point you in the right direction. One of the easiest devices to recommend is the Qolsys IQ Siren. This is a Z-Wave siren that operates at 105 dB. Since it communicates as a Z-Wave device, it can successfully pair with almost any alarm system with a functional Z-Wave controller. This makes it one of the most versatile and easy to use wireless sirens available. All you have to do is enroll it with your system and keep it plugged into a wall outlet.

A very similar wireless siren is the Linear WA105DBZ-1. This is a 105 dB Z-Wave siren manufactured by Linear, a company well-known for its Z-Wave offerings. This device also plugs into a wall outlet using an included transformer, and it has a backup battery for situations when the power is out. A white LED strobe light with red plastic cover provides visual indication of any alarms that occur. Just like the Qolsys option, the Linear WA105DBZ-1 can pair successfully with virtually any alarm system that has a functional Z-Wave controller.

If you're looking for a louder siren, then you might consider the DSC PG9911B. This siren communicates using PowerG RF signal, making it compatible with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Systems and the DSC PowerSeries Neo Panels. Unfortunately, PowerG is not as widespread as Z-Wave, so there aren't as many panels that can use the PG9911B. But the upside to this device is that it offers an incredibly loud sound rating of 110 dB. PowerG sensors also boast a highly impressive signal range, making this siren perfect for spots like detached garages or barns located across the property. The PG9911B is also one of the few wireless outdoor sirens available, which only adds to its excellent versatility!

Not every user will need an external siren in the 105-110 dB range. Some users just want a second sounder to install in the second area of the property. Honeywell offers a couple of wireless sirens that fit this bill. These are the Honeywell 5800WAVE and the Honeywell SiXSIREN. Both devices operate at 85 dB, which is about as loud as the integrated sounder inside most wireless alarm panels. They are great for users with larger properties who need sounders in multiple areas. The 5800WAVE will work with LYNX Touch Systems, as well as VISTA Systems that have an added wireless transceiver. Meanwhile, the SiXSIREN works exclusively with the Lyric Controller. DSC also offers a similar siren, the DSC WT4901, which works with their 433 MHz systems.

If you're an Alarm Grid monitored customer looking for a wireless siren, our team is here to help. We invite you to email us at support@alarmgrid.com with any questions you might have. We also offer phone support for monitored customers at (888) 818-7728 during our regular business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to assisting you and helping you find the perfect wireless alarm siren for your needs!

Hi DIYers! Today we're highlighting the Qolsys IQ Siren. This easy-to-use system add-on is great for IQ Panel 2 users who want to increase the siren volume for their system. The device communicates using Z-Wave Plus technology, and it is offers exceptional functionality and versatility.

There are many advantages to using a Qolsys IQ Siren. The most obvious is that it will increase the siren volume for the IQ Panel 2 Security System. The internal siren for the IQ Panel 2 is 85 dB, the minimum volume level for an alarm system. But the IQ Siren is rated at an astounding 105 dB. This is the volume equivalent to a jackhammer or a helicopter. Once the IQ Siren has been activated, everyone in the building will be made immediately aware of the emergency.

The great thing about the IQ Siren is its ease-of-use. Wired sirens can be tricky to install with wireless alarm panels, and extra equipment is usually required. But the IQ Siren can be installed by simply plugging it into a standard wall outlet. From there, it can be programmed with the IQ Panel 2 System in the same manner as any standard Z-Wave smart home device. Should the power go out, the IQ Siren will still be able to activate thanks to its 430 mAh rechargeable lithium backup battery.

In addition to the 105 dB sounder, the IQ Siren also includes a built-in strobe light for providing a visual indication of an alarm. This can be good for hearing-challenged or deaf users. Since the IQ Siren is a certified Z-Wave Plus device, it will serve as a viable repeater for other Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus devices. Remember, it's always smart to add new Z-Wave devices to strengthen your Z-Wave mesh network!

At just 3.25" tall and 1" deep, the siren is unobtrusive, and it will only require a single wall outlet. And of course, it's compatible with the brand-new IQ Panel 2 Plus Systems! This makes the siren an exceptional add-on for any Qolsys user who wants to easily and effectively increase their system's siren volume.

The IQ Siren is available for purchase right now from Alarm Grid. Get yours today!

Alarm Grid is happy to announce that we now stock the Honeywell 719 self contained siren. As a self contained siren, you can wire the 719 directly to any VISTA Series alarm control panel without needing a separate power supply or siren driver. Another great feature of the 719 alarm siren is that it is made of highly durable weatherproof plastic so that you can install it inside or outside. Many people like to install a siren outside so that their neighbors can be alerted to any alarms that may occur when the family is not home. The Honeywell 719 is extremely loud with a sound output of 115dB at 10' so you can be sure that your neighbors hear your alarms.

We are proud to announce the addition of the Honeywell 702 and the Honeywell 5899 to Alarm Grid's product offering.

The Honeywell 702 is a self-contained alarm siren that can be used with any wired alarm control panel. Of course, as it is a Honeywell siren, it is recommended that you use it with a Honeywell wired alarm control panel such as any of the VISTA Series alarm control panels. The siren has dual channels so that it can sound a steady alarm and/or a warble alarm. It is also weatherproof which makes it ideal for anyone looking to install a siren outside their home.

The Honeywell 5899 is a replacement magnet designed for the Honeywell 5816 wireless contacts, however you can use the 5899 magnets with nearly any door or window sensor. If you have lost a magnet from your door and window sensor, the 5899 is a great option. Also, the 5899 are great for venting windows which require (2) magnets for each window sensor. To vent the window you simply mount one magnet at the bottom of the window and another magnet a few inches up the window. You then mount the window sensor on the frame across from the top magnet. When the window is closed, the top magnet and the window contact are aligned and when the window is open a few inches, the window contact is aligned with the bottom contact. Now you can have your security system armed and still get a nice breeze flowing throughout your home.