COmbined glass break and window sensor?

[felixrosbergen]

They guy that was going to do the pre-wire for alarm in my new house sais he recommends a sensor that functions like a window/door sensor but also trips on vibration so if the window is smashed but not broken it would still trigger.

Has anybody heard of this? I have not so far except from this guy. Trying to get a name and model number out of him but no luck yet.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

To me, I think quality components are very important inside the sensors, so if I were you, I'd go seperate.

Otherwise, does the combined sensor device have two pairs of wires? One for glass break and one for shock sensor? That way, I think this helps determine whether if a glass breaks or if there's an attempted smash of the window.

 

[Sandpiper]

They guy that was going to do the pre-wire for alarm in my new house sais he recommends a sensor that functions like a window/door sensor but also trips on vibration so if the window is smashed but not broken it would still trigger.

Has anybody heard of this? I have not so far except from this guy. Trying to get a name and model number out of him but no luck yet.

Honeywell makes a combined glass break and contact detector. Here is a picture: LINK

I don't recommend them. The only advantage is that there is one wire instead of two wires for the same coverage. The main disadvantage is that the sensor itself is bulky and is mounted in a place that is prone to damage. It is difficult to get a good sturdy mount with them. After installing a few, and recognizing the problems, I started installing separate sensors for the same price for customers who wanted both glass break and contacts. The cost difference is not much, the installation is much easier with separate sensors, and the quality of the finished look is better with separate.

 

[marcheck]

Sandpiper,

What do you use for sensors in this case?

My situation is that I have ground level windows, but I have heavy pulldown shades that I try to keep closed so that nobody can peak in. They also are insulated so they help with heating and cooling. The problem is a room glass break detector will not be set off if the shades are drawn, so I need something on each window, along with a window/door sensor.

We've actually been broken into, the thief broke the window, but didn't open it, just crawled in through the window (leaving blood everywhere too), so we need to cover this case.

Thanks,


Bill

They guy that was going to do the pre-wire for alarm in my new house sais he recommends a sensor that functions like a window/door sensor but also trips on vibration so if the window is smashed but not broken it would still trigger.

Has anybody heard of this? I have not so far except from this guy. Trying to get a name and model number out of him but no luck yet.

Honeywell makes a combined glass break and contact detector. Here is a picture: LINK

I don't recommend them. The only advantage is that there is one wire instead of two wires for the same coverage. The main disadvantage is that the sensor itself is bulky and is mounted in a place that is prone to damage. It is difficult to get a good sturdy mount with them. After installing a few, and recognizing the problems, I started installing separate sensors for the same price for customers who wanted both glass break and contacts. The cost difference is not much, the installation is much easier with separate sensors, and the quality of the finished look is better with separate.

 

[Sandpiper]

What do you use for sensors in this case?

My situation is that I have ground level windows, but I have heavy pulldown shades that I try to keep closed so that nobody can peak in. They also are insulated so they help with heating and cooling. The problem is a room glass break detector will not be set off if the shades are drawn, so I need something on each window, along with a window/door sensor.

The case you describe here is not the normal case such as for bedroom, living room, or kitchen windows. There the combined glass break/window contact sensor is too bulky (in my opinion) and is prone to damage. This is because the required mounting location makes them vulnerable.
In your case, the sensor would be mounted behind a heavy curtain wich is not normally accessed (I assume), and thus would not be so vulnerable. I think the combined sensor would be a good choice here. It will detect when the glass is broken or if the window is opened. The combined sensors allow the wiring of a remote contact so sometimes it is easier to do this instead of using the included contact sensor.
Other choices include installing burglar bars or window bugs (vibration sensor).

 

[Ranger Digital]

So if you have curtains or shades a glassbreak sensor wont work?? That is hard to believe. I assume it is assumed that the material deadens the sound thus no detection? There is not a sensor that would still hear a glass break behind a heavy curtain? Well there should be, lol.

 

[marcheck]

I don't know about normal curtains. What we have are fairly unique roll down "quilts". They are rated at R4, they seal well at the bottom of the window sill and they run in tracks on the sides. I've tested a room mounted glass break sensor using a glass break simulator from behind these shades. No luck.

Bill

So if you have curtains or shades a glassbreak sensor wont work?? That is hard to believe. I assume it is assumed that the material deadens the sound thus no detection? There is not a sensor that would still hear a glass break behind a heavy curtain? Well there should be, lol.

 

[Sandpiper]

So if you have curtains or shades a glassbreak sensor wont work?? That is hard to believe. I assume it is assumed that the material deadens the sound thus no detection? There is not a sensor that would still hear a glass break behind a heavy curtain? Well there should be, lol.

Acoustic glass break sensors work by "listening" to sound. They trip when they "hear" sounds which have the characteristics of glass breaking. Now it so happens that curtains absorb sound, making the sound not quite as loud and absorbing some frequencies while passing others. This change in the glass break sound may or may not be enough to cause the sensor not to detect the glass breaking sound.

Vendors state in their installation manuals that the sensor must be installed within a certain distance of the window. The sensor has been tested and guaranteed to work under typical installations when installed this way. However, they usually caution that the range may be reduced in the case of heavy curtains or blinds.

In case you have curtains, the best way to determine for sure if the sensor is in range is by testing it with an acoustic glass break simulator.