How to Install a Door/Window Sensor
This brief instructional video demonstrates how to successfully install wireless door/window sensors:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Insert batteries in the sensor.
- Identify the alignment markings on the contact—the markings need to line up to close the circuit.
- Find a place on the door or window that is out of reach of children and pets.
- Clean the location on the door. Prepare to place the sensor on the side with the doorknob.
- Place a strip of double-sided tape directly on the back of the magnet and contact.
- Place the magnet (smaller piece) on the door and the contact (larger piece) on the frame. Make sure there's no more than a quarter-inch of space between the two pieces, approximately the width of a pencil.
- Allow 60 seconds for the double-sided tape to stick.
- Repeatedly open and close the door to make sure the pieces don't fall, hit one another, or shift positions.
Once the installation is complete, you will need to program the sensor. See below for links to the instructions, separated by panel type.
Programming a Door/Window Sensor
Select the image below that resembles your panel.
For additional panels not shown here, click here to search for directions by the panel name, or you can text a Support Representative any time at 469.513.8685.
Best Practices
Gather all materials required: the door/window sensor & magnet, batteries and double-sided tape.
Every door/window contact consists of a sensor (sometimes referred to as a contact) and a magnet. The contact should be installed on an unmovable frame of the door or window, while the magnet should be installed on the door or window itself. Installing them in the opposite position increases the chances of a broken contact as the door may slam and rattle the sensitive circuit board. When the door or window is closed the magnet is aligned with the contact and the zone is closed. When the window or door is opened, the magnet becomes unaligned and you have an open zone.
The first installation method will assume the door and the frame are flush with each other. Ideally, you will want to mount the larger part of the sensor along the top of the door frame, and the smaller piece will go on the door itself. When installing the sensor, be sure to mount it a few inches away from the side of the door frame so that the small piece does not get knocked off if the door closes harder than normal.
The second installation method will assume that the door and the frame are not flush with each other. If the door is only recessed in a little bit, you can use a few extra pieces of double sided tape (extras are typically included with your system in a small bag, but if you do not have extra, you can use 3M double sided tape from a local hardware store) to build up the small piece until it is flush with the larger piece. The rest of the installation will be the same as the method noted above for a flush door/frame situation.
If the door is recessed in several inches, you can place the larger part of the sensor on the door with the arrow facing up towards the frame. Then place the smaller piece on the frame with the top facing the arrow on the larger piece.
For other sensor installation instructions, find a guide for each device, organized by model, here. If your device is not represented, refer to instructions included with your device, or you can text a Support Representative any time at 469.513.8685.