Re: Window Sensors

["Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Out here with stucco frame houses (chicken wire under the stucco) and
aluminum frame windows is an invitation for welded contacts. I once did 3
model homes all recessed Sentrol contacts in the aluminum frames, the houses
are strung together on one system, and there was a good 100 switches. I
finished on a friday night they were scheduled to open the new models on
Monday. Everything was done and tested, but I had to go back a finish a few
odds and ends on Sat.. There was lightning Friday night after I left....next
morning 80 percent of the switches installed recessed in the aluminum
windows were welded closed. The wood doors were fine (there were 5 in each
house) and some windows on the north sides of the houses were ok. You musta
heard me cursing from CT!! I had to re-do all those freeking switches
without a  helper. I was there all frrking day.  It wasn't a direct hit
either.

After that incident and one other like it...I don't do many recessed anymore
unless it's necessary (casements or customs)

R.

--
Crash Gordon
-------ouch------

<I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe>
"Robert L Bass" <RobertLBass@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%2VKi.5357$tJ4.3100@xxxxxxxxxxx
| "Crash Gordon" wrote:
| >
| > Surface mount switches have some advantages;
| >
| > Alignment problems over time are EASY to spot...recessed switches
| > that were difficult to align to begin with are a PITA to find/fix
| > when you have a no-set 5 years from now.
| >
| > They're inside protected from snow/rain, and expansion/contraction
| > of wood (even vinylclad moves)
| >
| > Where I am they are less succeptable to lightning damage.
| >
| > You can find small ones in various colors so you'll barely see them
| > against the window frame.
|
| I've used both types for many years.  I prefer recessed contacts
| whenever they can be used which for me is most of the time.  My
| business was in CT where almost every home and business has a
| basement and an accessible attic.  GE Security (nee: Sentrol) makes a
| good switch for use in new wood which *might* contract, though any
| good quality new window or door frame should be made of aged wood
| (doesn't shrink).  The 1275 sensor has little "wings" on the sides
| which allow the switch to fit snugly in a slightly over or under
| sized hole.  The switch is also easier to pull out should it ever
| need replacement.
|
| Since the sensors are hermetically sealed and we soldered our
| splices, moisture has not been a problem IME.
|
| I disagree about lightning damage.  If it hits the line any switch
| you use will be toast.  The best way to reduce the likelihood of
| lightning damage is to use a bonded ground for all incoming services.
|
| That said, I've used thousands of surface mounted magnetic contacts
| over the years.  All other things being the same they hold up as well
| as recessed ones.  The only weakness is they are more subject to
| impact damage if they're mounted near the floor or on a window sill
| that gets a lot of activity.
|
| I prefer the recessed ones primarily because they're not noticeable.
|
| --
|
| Regards,
| Robert L Bass
|
| =============================>
| Bass Home Electronics
| 941-925-8650
| 4883 Fallcrest Circle
| Sarasota · Florida · 34233
| http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
| =============================>
|
|