ElkM1-G with GE Crystal Door Contacts, Having Issues

[VodunAutomation]

Hey all,
 
This is my first post, although I'm sure it won't be the last.
 
I've recently installed a Elk M1 Gold system making use of both wired and wireless devices. One such device is GE's Crystal Wireless recessed door contacts.
 
I'm experiencing issues that are not making much sense to me however. One of the door contacts (main door) keeps triggering the alarm at night when the system is armed. It works fine when the system is not armed (does not have any "phantom" openings), but randomly during the night the contact will "open" causing the alarm to go off (in stay mode or away).
 
Right now I'm travelling for work, so can't really troubleshoot as such. I plan on bypassing the front door when I get home to see if it is indeed an issue with the contact/programming or something internal in the system (maybe even the wireless receiver), and hope that it is not.
 
I was thinking it could be the battery (small chance, new contact and battery), but then the signal would be randomly dropping when the system was unarmed as well (and it is not). I thought maybe there is a large enough gap between the magnet/sensor that when wind blows it opens the contact, but the contact is perfectly lined up and the door doesn't budge if I push on or pull the door,
 
So that has me thinking it "may" be with how the point is set up via the RP2 software. Currently it is configured as being "EOL Supervised/RF", I'm curious if this is right or should I have it configured as "Normally closed"?
 
Any other suggestions?
 
***Side note***
Currently the system has no automation/rules set up as it's a work in progress. Only the devices (few motions, door contacts) are set up and operational, so I can't see there being anything wrong there.
 
 
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help!

 

[electron]

Welcome to CocoonTech!
 
Are the batteries installed in the sensor when you purchase them?  You might have recently bought then, but maybe they were sitting on a shelf for a long time.   Battery is what I was thinking as well.

 

[Del91574]

Magnet or contact installed in proximity of a steel door?

 

[thill]

What's the model number of the GE contact?   The problem might be an unstable or intermittent internal tamper switch.  GE had some issues with that in their TX1010 super thin sensors.  Even if it's not a TX1010, the problem could still be a tamper issue.  You stated there are not phantom openings when the system is disarmed?  That is somewhat of a telltale sign because an intermittent tamper would likely be missed entirely while the system is disarmed.

 

[Del91574]

The recessed units didn't have tampers, or at least none I know of
 
Also, unless you have the chime on or are constantly watching the keypad, how are you sure that the point is actually opening or not?

 

[thill]

The recessed units didn't have tampers, or at least none I know of
 
Also, unless you have the chime on or are constantly watching the keypad, how are you sure that the point is actually opening or not?

Good point DEL, I missed the word recessed in the initial post.  So that rules out tamper.
 
And as you say, unless chime is on or someone is constantly watching the keypad, how can the OP be certain the contact isn't false opening while the system is disarmed.  
 
I'd suggest it's time to put the system in walk test and see how much movement of the door it actually takes to trigger the sensor.  Might just be a gap or poor alignment issue.  

 

[Del91574]

I'd recommend an output or similar to be triggered and latch while disarmed to help narrow the issue to see if it's actually faulting or what other issues may be happening.

 

[VodunAutomation]

Welcome to CocoonTech!
 
Are the batteries installed in the sensor when you purchase them?  You might have recently bought then, but maybe they were sitting on a shelf for a long time.   Battery is what I was thinking as well.

 
 
This sounds like the most probable answer to my problems. Unfortunately now I'll never know if it was the battery or the sensor as an employee had damaged the sensor when attempting to remove it from it's location. A new one is on order, so hopefully it will resolve the problem.
 
I've ruled out alignment or gap, and have completed a walk-test prior to my leaving the province for business. I wasn't able to replicate the issue while I was there, which is what leads me to believe 1 of 2 things, a loose wire on the wireless transmitter (improbable) or a low battery (most probable) as the customer keeps refering to ONLY the front door. This door is the closest to the wireless receiver, and the gap is barely a millimetre.
 
 
I appreciate all of your input on this everyone, sorry I couldn't chime in more frequently. Starting up a new automation team in the Alberta Oil Sands, and structuring is providing nothing but headaches!