How To Fit A Wireless Burglar Alarm System

In the past, it was necessary to hire professional technicians to install home security systems for you. These older wired systems needed to be drilled into walls and cables needed to be laid under carpets and floorboards, which meant that quick and easy DIY installation wasn’t really possible.

However, with wireless security systems, the power is in your hands. Instead of having to pay for professional installation and wait for someone else to set up your system for you, you now have the option of installing it yourself to save a bit of time and money. You may have to drill in a few components, but for the most part, installation is pretty painless. Overall, it only involves setting up the connection and placing your components with adhesive strips. Not only does this make installation a piece of cake, but this also makes wireless burglar alarm systems a great home security option for renters. 

But how exactly do you go about a DIY wireless burglar alarm system installation? We’ve got the answer for you here, so if you’ve just bought your brand new SimpliSafe wireless security system, you can follow the simple steps laid out below.

1. Choose your home security system package

Before you even think about installation, you need to pick the perfect security system for your property. Do you need to cover the many access points to your home with multiple Entry Sensors, or do you want to install Indoor Cameras to keep an eye on valuables that need to be hidden away and protected?

Here at SimpliSafe, you can build your own security system and only include the devices you really need. All security systems come with a Base Station, Keypad and Wired Indoor Camera, but beyond this, you can add advanced sensors, additional cameras, smoke detectors and more to truly personalise your system. Alternatively, you can choose from our pre-made systems if you’re new to the world of home security and want a tried and tested solution. 

2. Pre-installation

Once your new wireless burglar alarm system arrives, you’re onto the pre-installation stage. While it may be tempting to immediately get stuck in, it’s best to prepare beforehand with a few simple tasks that’ll make your life easier:

1. Read the instruction manual

No one likes reading instructions, but this step is necessary if you want to install everything correctly the first time. Read through everything once beforehand, and then read the manual again as you go through each step in the installation process.

2. Check your components

Everything should be in order, but it’s important to quickly check that you’ve got all the devices and parts you need before starting. If something is missing or damaged, contact customer support immediately for assistance. 

3. Plan out where to place everything

It’s a good idea to plan out where you’ll install everything to save time and reduce the risk of having to reorder it all if you change your mind. Plus, certain components will have to be placed in specific locations – we’ll discuss this in more detail later.

4. Install the SimpliSafe app

The SimpliSafe app offers interactive guidance for every step of the installation process, so you can follow along and get your new security system set up in minutes. Just click ‘Set Up New System’ to begin. 

5. Install your Base Station

Now you can finally get on to the installation itself. First, you need to install your SimpliSafe Base Station. This is the heart of your new security system – it communicates with all devices connected to the system, and if you have Professional Monitoring, it sends alerts to our Professional Monitoring centre if a break-in is detected. 

You should place your Base Station in a central location in your home so it can easily connect to all of your security devices. It shouldn’t be placed on the floor, so choose a convenient table or shelf that’s close to a plug socket. Try to place your Base Station at least three feet off the ground on a non-dense surface (such as glass or wood). You should ideally use a dedicated power outlet for your Base Station so that it’s not connected to a light switch, as this could make you accidentally turn off your home security system when you need it. The power cord should be included in your package.

The Base Station should be plugged in from the bottom of the device after you pull out the battery tab. Then, scan the QR code or enter the serial number at the bottom of the Base Station in your SimpliSafe app to connect the device. The app will then prompt you to add a Master PIN for arming and disarming the security system – its LED light will be blue when armed. 

4. Install your Keypad

After you’ve set up your Base Station, you need to install your Keypad. This is where you will type in your Master PIN to arm or disarm the system. You can also set a Duress PIN to secretly alert the authorities if someone forces you to disarm your security system. 

Your Keypad features three main settings: Away, Home and Off. Away and Home will both arm your security system, but your Motion Sensors will be off in the Home mode so that you don’t trigger an alarm by walking around. You should install your Keypad close to your front door so you can switch between Home and Away modes easily.

We would recommend installing your Keypad at least 10 feet away from your Base Station, so bear this in mind when choosing locations for your new security devices. Installing your Keypad is super easy – there are already adhesive strips on the back, so you just need to peel these off and stick the Keypad to the wall. You can then slide your Keypad off its bracket to take it around with you, which you’ll need to do to install the rest of your devices.

5. Install your devices

Now it’s time to install the devices you chose for your bespoke wireless security system. For each device, you need to remove its battery tab when prompted by your Keypad. Then, you should press the test button on the device to connect and test. You can choose from a list of names on the Keypad to name each device (e.g., living room, kitchen, bedroom), or you can name them through the app. Your SimpliSafe app will also walk you through the installation process for each device.

Here are the main devices you could install in your wireless burglar alarm system and a quick explanation of how to install them:

Motion Sensors

Our Motion Sensors look straight ahead with a 90° field of view, and they can also look downward at a 45° angle. As such, it’s best to place them up high in the corner of a room or hallway to ensure maximum coverage.

Mount your Motion Sensor to the wall or place it on a shelf between 1.5 and 2 metres off the ground, with the test button at the top. You can either use the adhesive backing included or use screws for a more permanent installation. Avoid placing your Motion Sensor too close to heaters, air conditioners or other electronics. 

Select ‘Motion’ under ‘Devices’ in your SimpliSafe app, remove the battery tab, and press the test button before installing your Motion Sensor. You can then name your sensor on your Keypad or app, and follow the setup instructions to complete the installation.

But what do you do if you have pets? Our sensors are designed to recognise the unique heat signature of humans and animals, so your pets shouldn’t trigger any alarms. However, for dog owners with dogs heavier than 2 stone, we would recommend installing your sensor button-side down about 1.2 metres off the ground. For cat owners, we would recommend installing your sensor button-side up between 2 and 3 metres off the ground, so that your cats can’t get near it.

Glassbreak Sensors

Our Glassbreak Sensors are designed to recognise the unique frequency of glass breaking to detect intruders. Therefore, you should place yours on a shelf or adhere it to a wall less than 6 metres from your chosen window. If you’ve got curtains that could muffle the sound of glass breaking, place your sensor 2-3 metres away from the window. Avoid installing your Glassbreak Sensor in your kitchen as it can be falsely triggered by the sound of glasses clinking.

Entry Sensors

Your Entry Sensors have two parts: the magnet and sensor. You need to line up these parts so that they’re less than 5 cm apart when the window, door or cabinet is closed. Check the alignment before adhering them with strips. The blue light should flash once when the door or window opens and twice when it closes.

Wireless Sirens

You can install your Wireless Siren anywhere you want, but we would recommend installing it near your front door to help deter intruders. Simply press and hold your Siren to the wall to adhere it with the adhesive strips. Once you’ve added this device using your Keypad or app, you can configure the settings and volume through either one.

Cameras

You should install your cameras after you’ve installed the rest of your wireless security system. For your Indoor Cameras, all you need to do is slide the stand off the camera, insert the micro-USB into the port on the back of the camera, replace the stand, and plug the cord into a plug socket. You can then either place your Indoor Camera on a surface or mount it on the wall with screws or adhesive strips. Press the test button as normal to complete the setup.

Outdoor Cameras should be mounted 8 feet high on an external wall and should point down at a 30° angle. You’ll need to use a drill and screws for a more long-lasting installation. Other outdoor devices like our Video Doorbell can be trickier to install, so it may be worth it to opt for professional installation to ensure that everything is handled safely and correctly. However, if you’re choosing a fully wireless system, this won’t include these wired outdoor devices.

Other devices

If you want your home security system to also include general safety features like smoke detectors, temperature sensors, carbon monoxide detectors and water sensors, you can install these devices and add them via the app in the same way. This will help you prevent issues like flooding, frozen pipes and house fires. You can also potentially get a discount on your home insurance if you install these security and safety-focused devices.

6. Set up Professional Monitoring

During the installation process, your SimpliSafe app will prompt you to set up Professional Monitoring, which you can either purchase or try for free for 30 days. With Professional Monitoring, your Base Station will send an alert to our 24/7 Professional Monitoring centre in the event of an emergency. Our security specialists will then call you and check video footage to confirm the emergency, and they’ll immediately contact the authorities for you. 

You can activate your monitoring via the app or by visiting simplisafe.co.uk/activate. You’ll need to enter your Base Station serial number to activate your subscription.  

7. Connect to Wi-Fi

Your wireless SimpliSafe security system will automatically use cellular data to keep its devices connected and running, but if you connect your system to Wi-Fi, it’ll be even faster and more secure. To connect to Wi-Fi, just click ‘Menu’ on your Keypad, enter your Master PIN, go to ‘System Settings’ and then click ‘Wi-Fi’. From here, you can select your home network. Our devices don’t work with 5G, so make sure you choose the 2.4 GHz option. 

8. Test your system

Finally, once everything is complete, you can test your wireless burglar alarm system. Click ‘Done Installing’ and select ‘Test Mode’ in your Keypad menu. You can then test each device to ensure that they can pick up the right signals. For example, you can walk in front of your Motion Sensor to test that it can detect you properly. If the device receives the signal properly, your Base Station will announce the sensor type. You can find more information about testing and using your wireless security system in our full instruction manual.

Frequently asked questions about wireless burglar alarm systems

Are wireless alarms easy to install?

Wireless security systems are much easier to install than wired systems because there’s minimal drilling involved. Most of the time, you can simply mount each device with adhesive strips and press a test button to connect to the app and Base Station. The whole process should only take a few minutes.

Can I install a burglar alarm myself?

Absolutely! Wireless alarms, sensors and sirens are extremely easy to install by yourself, even if you don’t have a lot of DIY experience. Just use some adhesive tape to stick them to a wall or place them on a shelf.

How much does it cost to install a wireless alarm system?

When you order a security system from SimpliSafe, you can add professional installation to your cart starting at £125. Or, you can install it yourself at no extra cost!

Do wireless burglar alarms need the internet?

Our wireless systems automatically connect using cellular data, which means your security system won’t be disarmed if your Wi-Fi goes down. However, you can choose to connect your system to your Wi-Fi to benefit from a faster and more secure connection.

Can I get someone to install SimpliSafe?

If you don’t want to install your home security system yourself, you can add professional installation to your order. Our experts will install your system and make sure you’re connected to Professional Monitoring, so you can just sit back and relax. Plus, you’ll learn all about how your new system works directly from your installer.

Visit the SimpliSafe website to learn more about our installation process. You can also visit our blog for more home security and safety tips, including how to keep your home safe whilst moving house and how to secure your home during the school summer holidays.