How to Disconnect a Home Alarm System Without Setting It Off
Removing an outdated alarm system is simple but requires a lot of care
- Rubber-insulated work gloves
- Voltage tester or multimeter
- Screwdrivers
- Wire caps
You may want to know how to disconnect a home alarm system if you're planning an upgrade or simply have a bunch of old components installed that no longer work. Removing these electronics can seem daunting, but all you need is a little time and a few tools. Take care around the electrical components, and you'll have that old alarm system disconnected in no time.
Prepping to Disconnect a Home Alarm System
Before you make any changes to your home alarm system, notify the provider who installed it. Even if the alarm seems inactive or you've already canceled your contract, there’s a chance that the system is still functional or the company is still monitoring it on some level. Most home monitoring services will automatically dispatch local police if your system loses power.
Disconnecting wiring or causing the old system to lose power may set off a false alarm, resulting in an unnecessary emergency response that could land you with a fine. Warn your old security system provider to let them know that no one is tampering with your system. They may offer specific instructions for disconnecting your system.
Decide Which Components to Remove
If you're planning to choose a new home security system to replace your old one, sometimes you can keep parts of your setup to reuse. Before dismantling anything, decide if any parts can stay. Generally, you want to remove parts if:
They would interfere with the function of the new system
They're no longer required
They're unsightly or create clutter
In most cases, current wiring can stay in place as long as it isn't severely damaged. If any of your wiring is outdated, it's best to contact an electrician near you unless you have the specific electrical knowledge and experience required to remove it.
Disable the Alarm or Put It In Maintenance Mode
Find the system’s main control panel or control box. This is separate from the keypad and may be installed by the front door, by another entry point, or in an attic, loft, garage, or basement. Disable the alarm or put it in maintenance mode. Maintenance mode is designed to make it clear to your security provider that you're doing work on the alarm and not tampering with it.
Remove the Power Supply
Photo: Jasmin Merdan / Moment / Getty ImagesMost security systems have sirens wired to a separate circuit or connected to backup batteries in the control panel. This is so they're still able to sound even if a would-be intruder cuts your power. Flip the breaker connected to your system’s control box to the off position to disconnect the circuit to which the sirens are wired.
Your alarm may sound at this point. Don your insulated rubber gloves and unscrew the faceplate from the control box. Remove the black and red wires feeding into the backup battery pack. If the alarm was sounding, it should stop once the battery pack is removed. Cap the wires for safety.
Test the Power Supply
Before you remove any other components, use your voltage tester or multimeter to ensure that no power is running to the control panel.
Remove the Control Panel
Remove the screws keeping the control panel attached to the wall. If there are no screws or other visible fasteners, it may be attached with glue. Gentle pry the device off the wall or use rubbing alcohol to dissolve the adhesive.
If you remove the box and see that it's wired directly into the wall, stop and check the power supply again with your voltage tester or multimeter. If there is any charge still left in the wires, you'll want to stop and hire an electrician to remove them. Otherwise, you're free to disconnect the wires and cap them off.
Remove All Other Components
Photo: ZeynepKaya / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesWith the main control panel removed, it's safe to dismantle all other system components. Before you remove each part, use your voltage tester to ensure there is no power still running to it. These components may all be removed in similar ways to the control panel, with screws to remove and wires to cap. Components may include:
Motion detectors
Fire alarms
Glass break alarms
Keypads
Door or window sensors
With everything removed, you can flip the circuit breaker back to the on position.
Should You Install a New Home Security System?
It makes sense to disconnect and remove a home alarm system if it is no longer in use or does not work, but you should at least consider installing a new home security system to replace the old system. In fact, there are a number of benefits to installing a new home security system.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Newer systems are often wireless and easier to install: Wireless systems mean that some homeowners are able to install their own security systems, especially if it’s a cobbled-together system of cameras. However, if you want a comprehensive home security system with cameras, alarms, and other features, you should still have a pro handle the install. Even so, the work should be relatively fast, meaning labor costs will be lower than you might expect.
Homeowners insurance costs could go down: Installing a comprehensive home security system could lower your homeowners insurance costs. The amount will vary by policy terms and insurer, but homeowners often save between 5% and 20% a year on home insurance costs after installing a home security system.
Security systems protect your family: Last, but certainly not least, adding a home security system can give you peace of mind that your family is safe. Privacy fences and landscaping, outdoor lighting and lights on timers inside, additional backyard security features, and even basic locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows go a long way at protecting your home, but a home security system takes it to another level.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Disconnecting a home alarm system on your own won’t cost you anything. However, not every homeowner has the time or skills to remove a system safely. If your system is hardwired into your home, or you simply want to ensure that every component is found and removed, you can hire an alarm company near you to disconnect your system.
If you’re installing a new home security system to replace your existing system, the cost of removal may be included in the installation cost. The cost to install a home security system is about $700 on average, but you may save if the installer is able to reuse existing wiring and other components from the old system.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're wondering what you should do with your old security alarm system after installing a new one, one option is to properly dispose of it at an electronics collection facility. Otherwise, if your old system is still in good shape, you can also donate it for someone else to use in their home.
When removing an old security alarm system, you likely won't need to remove any of the wiring. Wiring can either be left in place for a replacement system or capped off for safety and pushed into the wall. If you're uncomfortable with the wiring, or if it's badly damaged, contact a professional electrician for assistance with safe removal.
