Serious question, why does everyone hate on those old wired systems so much?

Honestly, I was on a service call last week in a 90s house in Charlotte, and the owner wanted me to rip out their old hardwired setup for a new wireless one. I told them to hold up. That system was built like a tank, with a DSC panel and those thick 22-gauge runs. I see guys all the time saying wired is dead and a pain, but tbh, pulling wire through that old plaster and lathe wasn't even that bad once you know the tricks. Three years ago, I put a wired system in my own place, and I haven't had a single false alarm or dead battery chirp since. Everyone acts like wireless is the only way now, but I'd take a solid wired contact over a sensor that needs a new CR123 every year any day. Has anyone else had a client lately who was just too quick to trash a perfectly good wired install?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_andrew1mo ago

My buddy had a client who insisted on replacing a perfectly good wired system. The wireless sensors they installed started having signal issues within six months, something about interference from the new fridge. He spent more time going back to fix dropouts than he ever would have just leaving the old wires in place.

elizabeth_martin1mo ago

But is that interference really a common problem? Modern wireless gear is pretty good at handling stuff like appliances. Sounds like maybe they just got a bad install or some cheap parts.

morgan4101mo ago

Yeah modern gear helps but that "bad install" thing is real, you gotta check for interference sources before you even start mounting stuff.

the_shane1mo ago

My last retrofit in Austin cost the client over two grand just in drywall repair after running new wires. Most people don't want that mess and dust in their home now. Wireless systems get the job done without tearing up the walls.