How To Install Home Security Window Contacts
Window contacts are an important part of your home security system. If you have a window that you would like to install a contact on, you can do it yourself. The most difficult part of installing a window contact is running the wire. You should plan how to route the wire first. Once you have the wire run, the rest of the project is easy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 22-gauge two-conductor security wire
- Wire cutter/stripper
- B-wire "Beanie" wire connectors
- Standard wire crimper or pliers
- Window contact and magnet
Instructions
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1
Call your monitoring facility and have your system placed on test (if your system is being monitored).
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2
Disconnect the power from the alarm system and disconnect the backup battery.
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3
Route the security wire from the control panel to the window. The easiest way to route the wire is along the baseboard. However, if you want to completely hide the wire you should route the wire up the wall from the control panel, through the attic and down the inside of the wall to the window.
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4
Remove the backing from the double-sided tape on the window contact and attach the contact to the frame of the window. When choosing a location, remember you will have to mount the magnet on the window within ¼ of an inch of the contact. Make sure the window is completely closed. Remove the backing from the magnet and mount it on the window.
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5
Strip and twist the two wires from the contact to the security wires (polarity does not matter) using the beanie and crimp one beanie on each of the wires.
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6
Go to the control panel and connect the wires from the new window contact in series to your other window contacts. Windows are usually wired in series; just find the other window contact wires and wire your new contact into that series circuit.
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7
Reconnect the backup battery and plug your system back in. Close your panel and test your new contact.
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8
Call your monitoring facility and have them take your system off of test.
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Tips & Warnings
The window contact is a tiny switch which closes when it is placed close to a magnet; when the magnet is moved away from the contact the switch opens. You must align the magnet 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch from the contact. A series circuit is like a long loop of wire which leaves the control panel and goes from window to window and returns to the panel. If one of the window contacts opens, it stops the current from flowing through the loop and your system alarms.
