window sensor wiring Vs Wireless

[BraveSirRobbin]

In my current home the builder just left a large "loop" of wire that was loosely tied to a nail in the stud about where the motion, glass breaks, and keypads were to be mounted. I just poked a hole in the drywall in the vicinity and was able to snag this loop, tug on it, break it free from the nail and then mount the sensor right on the drywall itself ("over" that hole).

In my friend's home we did put a single gang box and mount the glass breaks and motion sensors on top of a blank cover plate (modified by drilling mounting holes) and that worked out well also. The keypad, if I remember correctly, can mount directly to the threaded holes supplied on the box itself (someone please correct me if I am wrong here).

 

[Jreigner]

Hello all,
Do not drill into the window - you WILL void all warranties and eat the cost of someone coming out to tell you you voided the warranty. drill out side on the framing and surface mount. Any hole should be caulked shut - ALWAYS leave slack because you will ALWAYS need it. I have worked for most of the big alarm companies out there and this is how it is always(the right way)done. Single/Double hung window installation is a dime a dozen. ADI doesn't care about you or your windows, they're just selling you contacts. PS, real alarm panels don't tell you the weather.

 

[Sandpiper]

Hi there - so yes - i went to ADI today and spoke with a rep there. he assured me that drilling the bottom where window closes is fine. I took a closer look and i think that its where i will do it. I also saw the switch. its a 3/8 hole. I think this is the most asthetic approach. Thanks everyone. I will post photos once i do it...

Correct. There is also a 3/4" version. The 3/4" gives you a lot more room to put the beanies if you use the pigtail terminations. If you use terminal terminations, the 3/8" will be fine. However, when using the terminal terminations, after tighting the terminals, I always put a dab of silicon to seal out any moisture from the wired ends and terminals. I have seen these type corrode over time and cause false alarms.

Thanks Sandpiper - thats a good idea.. am a big fan of silicon...

I do have a question about boxes for keypads, glass break sensors, motions sensors etc ... What size box do in need to install. For keypad - I am putting on inside main door.. back door and master bedroom. Then the main one will be in basement next to panel - this i know can be surface mounted.. . for the others - Is a single gang box sufficiant - or should i do something different?

Same goes for glass break, motion etc. I am assuming that these are fine in a single gang

thanks

A single gang box will work for the keypad and glass breaks, but not for the motion sensor. Or you can just skip the box and fish the wire later, or put a nail in a stud and wrap the wire around it. The drywallers will hopefully put the wire through when they hang the drywall. For the motion, since it is typically put in a corner, you have to use the nail method.

 

[programmergeek]

For connectors just get a bag of the white elke connectors they have a silicon already in them to avoid corrosian and water.
For the rest of the stuff just have the sheetrockers hang the wire out of the wall or put on a nail. Sme of the sensors like the flush mounted glass breakes don't even use a box, the rest surface mount. Leaving the wire lets you decide if you want to put a box in later. Oh and make sure you get some extra paint for touch up and patch work.