Dahua Alarm Buying Guide
One hub, up to 150 wireless devices, and cameras to check what set it off.
Dahua AirShield is a wireless burglar alarm. A single control hub talks to detectors, sirens, keyfobs and expanders over 868MHz radio.
- One hub covers up to 150 devices across 32 areas.
- It connects by Ethernet, Wi-Fi or built-in dual-SIM mobile data.
- It takes up to 8 IP cameras, so you can see what caused an alarm.
Our complete AirShield kit has the usual starting set. This guide covers the hub, add-on devices and connections, for building or extending a system.
On this page: The hub · Detectors, sirens & expanders · Connectivity & monitoring · Kit or build your own? · AirShield products we stock · FAQs
What does the hub do?
Every AirShield system is built around one control hub. It supports up to 150 wireless and wired devices across 32 separate areas, including up to 64 keyfobs, 8 keypads and 6 sirens.
That one hub covers anything from a small flat to a multi-room commercial unit. As the system grows, you add devices, not a bigger panel.
It has a built-in 4,750mAh rechargeable battery for power cuts, and stores up to 50 alarm messages if the connection drops.
Which detectors, sirens and expanders are there?
The range covers the usual parts of a wireless alarm:
- PIR motion detectors
- Door and window contacts
- Indoor sirens
- Water leak detectors
- Wireless input expanders, to connect extra wired devices
Range in open space runs from around 900m for a keyfob up to 2000m for the hub itself, with detectors and contacts in between. That's plenty for a typical house or commercial unit, though walls and floors cut the real range, as with any wireless system.
How does it connect, and do I need monitoring?
The hub connects by Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or a built-in dual-SIM 4G/3G/2G mobile modem (one SIM active at a time). So it can run entirely on a SIM card if there's no broadband on site.
Devices talk to the hub over 868MHz with AES128 encryption and frequency hopping.
- Self-monitored (the default): alerts by app, SMS and phone call to up to 5 numbers, plus an SOS emergency-call function.
- Professionally monitored: it supports the SIA and SoftGuard alarm protocols. Monitoring is a separate contract with a monitoring company. We supply and advise on the equipment, not the monitoring contract.
Uniquely among the wireless alarms we stock, an AirShield hub also takes up to 8 onboard IP cameras with in-hub pre-recording. So you can check an alarm on video, not just trust a sensor.
Should I buy the kit or build my own?
Our AirShield starter kit has the hub, a PIR detector, a door/window contact and a keyfob. That secures one entry point and one room straight out of the box, and costs less than buying the same parts separately.
Add more detectors, sirens, keyfobs or expanders later, up to the hub's 150-device limit.
Which AirShield products do you stock?
- Dahua DHI-ARC3800H-FW2(868) — 4G wireless alarm hub
- Dahua DHI-ART-ARC3000H-03-GW2(868) — complete AirShield starter kit: hub, PIR, door contact and keyfob
- Dahua DHI-ARA12-W2(868) — wireless indoor siren with temperature measurement
- Dahua DHI-ARD912-W2(868) — wireless water leak detector
- Dahua DHI-ARM320-W2(868) — AirShield wireless input expander
Browse everything: complete alarm kits · all intruder alarms · all Dahua ranges.
Questions
What is Dahua AirShield?
AirShield is Dahua's wireless intruder alarm system: a control hub plus detectors, sirens, keyfobs and expanders communicating over 868MHz radio, with app, SMS and phone-call alerts.
How many devices can the hub support?
Up to 150 wireless and wired peripherals across 32 separate areas, including up to 64 keyfobs, 8 keypads and 6 sirens - enough for a house or a multi-room commercial unit from one hub.
Does the hub need broadband?
No - the hub connects via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or a built-in dual-SIM 4G/3G/2G cellular modem, so it can run entirely wirelessly with a SIM card if no fixed internet connection is available.
Can Dahua AirShield use cameras as well as alarm sensors?
Yes - the hub accepts up to 8 onboard IP cameras with in-hub pre-recording, so an alarm event can be reviewed visually rather than relying on a sensor trigger alone.
Does AirShield need professional monitoring?
No - it can run self-monitored with app, SMS and phone-call alerts to up to 5 numbers, including an SOS emergency call. It also supports SIA and SoftGuard alarm transmission for professional monitoring, which is a separate contracted service we do not provide directly.
Need help choosing? Contact us, visit our Wolverhampton trade counter, or call us on 01902 902251.
