glass break sensor?

MikeB

Active Member
I have a door with a glass window, and also a sliding glass window both on the same wall. I'd like to add glass break sensor to the opposite wall about 25' away, but I only have 2 wires to spare unless I do some rearranging. The wires are about 8' up in a corner next to a motion sensor.

This looks good, but says it uses 4 wires:
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/Home/Glass-...k-Sensors/5820A

Can anyone recommend a good glass break sensor that uses 2 wires? If 4 wires are a requirement for glass break sensors, I could probably do some rearranging and get 4...
 
I am not aware of a 2 wire glass break since you generally need 2 wires for the zone and 2 wires for the power. Are you close enough to the motion to grab power from there?

The sensor that you have the link to is a Sentrol ShatterPro II. I have used these many times on various installs and they are a very good performer and very reliable.
 
I have a door with a glass window, and also a sliding glass window both on the same wall. I'd like to add glass break sensor to the opposite wall about 25' away, but I only have 2 wires to spare unless I do some rearranging. The wires are about 8' up in a corner next to a motion sensor.

This looks good, but says it uses 4 wires:
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/Home/Glass-...k-Sensors/5820A

Can anyone recommend a good glass break sensor that uses 2 wires? If 4 wires are a requirement for glass break sensors, I could probably do some rearranging and get 4...

They have wireless ones that require 0 wires.

Also, on a wall 25' away and up in the corner wouldn't be the best location for this. I wouldn't put it in the corner.
 
I know the corner is not ideal, but I may not have much of choice. I'd prefer to stay hardwired. How far from the corner would be reasonable do you think? Probably a 12' - 15' wall.
 
I know the corner is not ideal, but I may not have much of choice. I'd prefer to stay hardwired. How far from the corner would be reasonable do you think? Probably a 12' - 15' wall.

The instructions are probably the best source, but I remember reading for mine that you should imagine the sound originating from the glass break perpendicular to the glass. This sound front will spread out from the window, and you want that wave-front to hit the sensor before it hits a corner and starts to bounce around. So get out your paper and pencil. You certainly don't want the sensor much more right or left than that edge of the window. If you have to use a corner its probably better than nothing, but not ideal.

I don't think a two-wire glass break sensor exists anyway, so it may not matter.
 
if you're pulling 2 wires from the motion, run a 4 conductor; it can share the power with the motion - just needs its own contact zone. Should be doable.

+1 on glassbreaks - heavy drapes block them; some are obtrusive... The ones I used were in the high-breakage areas (most likely to have windows smashed) and did them above and back a few feet - there's a certain angle you're going for. The install manual should say more.
 
This is the unit I ordered:

http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/7496S_new.pdf

Says to avoid corners, especially for small windows. I think I'm going to move my motion to a better location, so will have all 4 wires for this glass break sensor on the opposite wall of the glass (about 25' away, but still in range according to the manual.

I'm going to try and move the cable as far away from the corner as possible.
 
This is the unit I ordered:

http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/7496S_new.pdf

Says to avoid corners, especially for small windows. I think I'm going to move my motion to a better location, so will have all 4 wires for this glass break sensor on the opposite wall of the glass (about 25' away, but still in range according to the manual.

I'm going to try and move the cable as far away from the corner as possible.

Avoid the corners and you should be fine. Although I certainly would follow the instructions, I also will say these things have an amazing ability to hear glass breaking at a greater distance. I have my home automation system set to say "Did you break another glass?" anytime the sensor goes off when the home is "occupied." Sure enough, my wife broke a glass in the kitchen a room away, and sure enough, it said it.
 
Ended up getting it in the middle of the wall, which is better than I hoped. Just waiting on a second Elk speaker and my system should be 100%.

Thanks again.
 
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