How to wire with sidelights?

[mrshanes]

Our front entry door will have sidelights on both sides. What is the best way to run the wires for a contact sensor? I was planning to use plunger types on my doors. I guess I could wire for a magnetic contact on top of this door because there will be no sidelight on top. However, I would like to wire for an electric strike on this door also. Is it possible to get wires where I need them on this door?
Thanks

 

[Rupp]

Our front entry door will have sidelights on both sides. What is the best way to run the wires for a contact sensor? I was planning to use plunger types on my doors. I guess I could wire for a magnetic contact on top of this door because there will be no sidelight on top. However, I would like to wire for an electric strike on this door also. Is it possible to get wires where I need them on this door?
Thanks

To do it correct where you do not see any wires, you are going to have to at lease pull of the door trim and the trim around the side windows. This isn't going to be easy though. This is the reason I chose the new Schlage Z-Wave locks so I wouldn't have to do all of the trim work.

 

[tmbrown97]

I use a rear patio door that's double doors with two sidelights - I do have it wired for contacts on all 4 doors (the sidelights open as well). Now I wish I'd wired the sidelights on their own zone so I could vent the house and track the door separately; on my list of things to fix. These are just the normal contacts above the door.

As for wiring up the electric strike - this should be possible; just may require some creativity. Do the sidelights open? Most likely not - so you should be able to either drill a perfect channel up the door, or (my preference) route a wiring channel up the edge of the sidelight, then cut a "filler" piece to backfill the wiring channel afterwards. I believe there's been talk about this before - there should be some good ideas in older posts.

 

[mrshanes]

These are just the normal contacts above the door.

Are these recessed contacts or surface mount? There is no transom above the door, but there will be a large 8' tall arched window there. It will be a tight fit, but I think I will be able to wire them from above.

Do the sidelights open?

The sidelights will not open.

I believe there's been talk about this before - there should be some good ideas in older posts.

I've done several searches, but can't find anything. I'm at a loss for search terms.

 

[gatchel]

I located my 3/4 inch flush mount sentrol contact low in the door frame by pulling off the trim between the door and sidelite and running the wire down under the door to be accessed from the well pump room / closet under the steps. (Bi-Level)