basic setup required

[rfdesq]

hi rfdesq, how do you plan to implement a residential security while making it cost effective and reliable? What type of sensors, in first floor in this case, are you thinking of recommending?

Thanks! [/QUOTE]
Just my opinion. The first way to make a residential system cost effective and reliable is to put a switch in every door and window (assuming you are doing the labor yourself). You can purchase 10 switches for the price of one cheap PIR. It is hard to get precise angles from the diagram, but, I would place the Kitchen/Breakfast/Family Room motion sensor in the Northwest corner of the Kitchen. A 50' throw should cover that area of the house, the family room, and possibly see part of the stairway landing. I would move the dining room motion sensor to the Southwest corner, it should see the dining room, front door, part of the den, and part of the stairway landing. It will be less obvious to a bad guy who enters the front door. Remember, you want the bad guy to walk across the path of the sensor, not towards it. If the stairway is a concern, perhaps a 360 degree lookdown motion sensor at the top of the stairs rather than one dedicated to just the bottom of the stairs. In a perfect world with no monetary restrictions, a motion sensor in the Den would be nice, depending on what you plan on keeping there. A motion sensor in the garage depending on what you will keep there besides cars. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Just my opinion.  The first way to make a residential system cost effective and reliable is to put a switch in every door and window (assuming you are doing the labor yourself).

Yes, I will be doing it all by myself.

I'm assuming that when you said switch, you meant the contact sensors for windows. Am I correct?

If putting the motion sensor in northwest kitchen, would the cabinet be a hindrance?

Can you send me a link that can do 360 degree monitoring?

 

[rfdesq]

Since you are doing it yourself, a $3.00 switch and some wire go a long way. I use the same switches for my windows and doors. I am partial to the Sentrol/GE 1055w 1/4" wide gap switch. I'm not sure where the cabinet is in the kitchen. I liked the angle better on the Northwest side of the room so it could possibly see the hallway. Here is the link for a ceiling mount 360 degree lookdown PIR http://www.optexamerica.com/products/specsheets/sx360z.cfm.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Ok guys. Here is a picture of a window in my house.

Since I'm putting contact sensors too, I would like to know if any of the wiring I added to the picture is correct. Should I wait for the window to be installed first before I put my wiring? Oh, I can only make a hole in the window once I move in. Right now, I can only put wires.

Ok guys, just let me know if the wires in the picture that I will be leaving is correct. I want to make sure because it's going to be covered by the drywallers.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Should I wait for the window to be installed first before I put my wiring? Oh, I can only make a hole in the window once I move in. Right now, I can only put wires.

Ok guys, just let me know if the wires in the picture that I will be leaving is correct. I want to make sure because it's going to be covered by the drywallers.

This is going to make if VERY difficult trying to fish the wire out after you drill your hole if all of the wiring is going to be covered with drywall.

Can you bargain/bribe/etc... your GC to let you put the sensors in place AFTER the windows are in and BEFORE the drywall goes up? It would be worth a try because the alternatives seem like a real pain to try and implement.

Can you at least drill though the stud(s), maybe with a hole larger than 3/8" and place the wire in it with a large "loop" before the stud. Then take careful measurments as to the location of this hole (say from the floor or window base) so when your window was in your could drill the hole according to those measurements, hit the hole in the stud, and fish out the wire?

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Should I wait for the window to be installed first before I put my wiring? Oh, I can only make a hole in the window once I move in. Right now, I can only put wires.

Ok guys, just let me know if the wires in the picture that I will be leaving is correct. I want to make sure because it's going to be covered by the drywallers.

This is going to make if VERY difficult trying to fish the wire out after you drill your hole if all of the wiring is going to be covered with drywall.

Can you bargain/bribe/etc... your GC to let you put the sensors in place AFTER the windows are in and BEFORE the drywall goes up? It would be worth a try because the alternatives seem like a real pain to try and implement.

Can you at least drill though the stud(s), maybe with a hole larger than 3/8" and place the wire in it with a large "loop" before the stud. Then take careful measurments as to the location of this hole (say from the floor or window base) so when your window was in your could drill the hole according to those measurements, hit the hole in the stud, and fish out the wire?

Hi BraveSirRobbin,

Quick question though. Are contact sensors holes in windows a problem when it rains? Or though we caulk it after?

Thanks!

 

[rfdesq]

Quick question though. Are contact sensors holes in windows a problem when it rains? Or though we caulk it after?

I'll take this one. Short answer, yes. Try to stay away from the bottom of the window frame. On some windows there is a channel that drains water to the outside through two little dams. Don't breach that channel. Stay above the bottom lip. If you use the Sentrol/GE 1055W switch, there is only a 1/4" hole. A little RTV silicone and the switch fits snugly in the hole.

 

[un-wired]

One of our clients installed two magnets on the window and one sensor on the frame.

The first magnet was located at the same height as the sensor (6 inches up from the windowsill), the second magnet was located in the base of the window. This allowed him to arm the panel with the window closed, or with the window open 6 inches. Just another reason to stay out of the windowsill and use the side frames.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Somewhere on my thread, there was a recommendation to me to put a camera. It was also mentioned to use CAT5 wires for the camera.

1.) Based from the diagrams I have in the previous pages, where is the very strategic locations for the camera?

2.) And also, how is the CAT5 installed for the camera since there is an aluminum sidings?

3.) Can you please post a brand/model of a camera that will work for ELK M1 Gold and that it is affordable but does its job?

4.) Finally for the wires this is my latest guide, please correct if something is wrong

window magnets/contact sensors - 22/2
door magnets - 22/2
heat sensors - 22/2
smoke sensors - 18/4
co sensors - 18/4
glass break sensors - 18/4
keypad - CAT5e
flood sensors - 22/4
strobe light - 18/2
camera - CAT5e

Thanks again!

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

I'm reading the Wiring 101 article, specifically for siren, it says there not to substitute the 18/4 wire. That means, my diagram for my first floor is partially correct since I only used 14/2 for the speaker/siren. I think I need some more explanation about speaker/siren. Is this speaker/siren a two separate device?

Please help guys!

EDIT: Regarding lighting control, I just want to confirm that there is no need for me to put more runs to where the sensors would be since lighting control uses powerlines.