Re: How to connect window sensors?

["Robert L Bass" <RobertLBass@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

<borne@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> When we purchased our home it did not have a security system.  I
> installed one myself, really not knowing anything about the proper
> ways of wiring one up.  For each window, I drilled up through the
> header and ran the sensor wires along the edge of the window.  It
> really is not noticable.  I had sensors with very long leads and I
> was able to make all my connections in the attic using butt
> connectors.
>
> But since I lost many sensors due to a lightning strike, the
> replacement ones I bought have much shorter leads.  These are the
> small sensors that do NOT have the screw terminals.  I can't make
> the connections in the attic, so have been soldering the new
> sensors (staggering the solder joint for each wire) and using
> shrink tube to insulate.  This makes for a very small profile
> connection compared to butt connectors.  Is this a good idea?  How
> do you pro's do it for a repair job?

As long as the connections are soldered and staggered so there's no
way for the wires to short, that will work fine.  There's another
option which you could have chosen.  There are miniature, wide-gap
magnetic contacts with screw connections you could have used.  Those
would have allowed you to use the existing wires.  However, since you
already bought the contacts stay with what you have.

> Another question... I have learned from this newsgroup that my
> normally closed contact sensors failed since they were basically
> welded together.  Would I have been better off using normally open
> contacts?  I assume those are wired in parallel, and since NC ones
> are wired in series, I can't just change, but I was just curious if
> they fail due to lightning.

You assume correctly regarding the wiring method but no, that would
not make the system more lightning resistant.  The most significant
thing you can do to protect against future strikes is a bonded
ground.  This was discussed earlier so I won't repeat it unless you
ask.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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