I pre-wired my house a couple months ago and it's almost time for trim out. I'm wiring the windows exactly like [topic="8979"]beelzerob[/topic]. On some of my windows, the sensors that are in the window frame are a bit off the location I wanted them. When I go to install the magnets on the window sashes, I'm afraid they won't align perfectly. Will this cause problems? The ones I can align correctly, I will use the magnet that came with the sensors. For the ones I will be drilling into the lower sash, I bought some strong rare earth magnets. Will that help or will I still get falses?
Reed switch magnet alignment?
- Thread starter mrshanes
- Start date
Sandpiper
Active Member
Most switches require the magnet to be within 3/4" or so, more or less. The farther the magnet is, the more likely you will have false alarms. Neodymium magnets (rare earth) may help give you more gap tolerance.
What I would do is try and see. Temporarily place the magnet in the proposed location, place a meter onto the contact, and then test it. Move the window sash slowly and see how much travel the window goes through to trip the switch. Ideally you want at least 3/4" travel, but 1" or 1.5" is better. Another thing I do in questionable installs is to shake the window, attempting to open it with it locked, to see if I can false trip the switch.
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
They make 'wide gap' magnets that require a larger distance between the magnet and sensor before it opens.
It's not really about the "gap", but the alignment.
