| Alarm Contacts- Contact switches are magnetic | | | | into them that sends a radio signal to a receiver in |
| switches used to protect doors and windows for | | | | the control. The transmitter is surface mounted |
| the most part. There are three main styles that | | | | and comes in two colors, white and brown. If |
| are used by most alarm companies. They are | | | | white and brown are not your desired colors, you |
| recessed contacts, surface mount contacts and | | | | can paint the switches and transmitters to match |
| roller-ball contacts. | | | | your decor. |
| Recessed contacts are hidden in the window | | | | Doors are the most common point of entry and |
| tracks and door jams so that they can't be seen | | | | should be protected by your system. I always |
| when the window or door is closed. The switch is | | | | recommend contacting every perimeter door in |
| on the fixed or non-movable side of the opening | | | | your home or business |
| and a magnet is placed on the movable side. | | | | Window contacts can add up in a hurry as most |
| When the magnet meets the switch the circuit is | | | | homes have many windows. I have always felt |
| complete and the control knows it is closed. | | | | that window contacts give the homeowner a |
| Recessed contacts are more complicated to install | | | | false sense of security because of the fact that a |
| unless they are placed during the construction | | | | window has to be opened in order for them to |
| phase of your home or business. A good | | | | work. If your window is locked (and it should be) |
| installation technician can install recessed contacts | | | | when you are away or sleeping, a burglar has to |
| in your home after construction as long as they | | | | break the glass or remove the glass to unlock it. |
| have an unfinished basement, accessible attic or | | | | If they break the glass and the alarm does not |
| closet to run the wires in. | | | | sound, why would they open the window? |
| Surface mount contacts function the same as | | | | Instead they would most likely clear the broken |
| recessed ones however they are visible when the | | | | glass and climb in. That is why your money is |
| doors or windows are closed. They come in three | | | | better spent on motion detectors and/or glass- |
| main sizes being large, small and micro. They | | | | break sound detectors. |
| come in the colors white, gray and brown so they | | | | If you have children, window contacts can be a |
| can blend in to the door trim or window- sill they | | | | valuable tool. They will keep your youngsters |
| are mounted on. | | | | from opening the window for a stranger. And |
| Roller-ball contacts are in the hinge side of your | | | | they will also make your teenager sorry you ever |
| door jam and the spring- loaded ball is pushed in | | | | read this. (If they tell you all they want for the |
| when the door is closed completing the circuit. | | | | holidays is a magnet, the jigs up!) Window |
| These are more likely to need replacement in a | | | | contacts are often better at keeping people in |
| few years as they are considered a moving part. | | | | than they are at keeping burglars out. If you do |
| All types of recessed and surface mount contacts | | | | choose to use window contacts you may like the |
| can be hardwired directly to your control panel or | | | | fact that the surface mounted versions can be |
| you can get them in a wireless version. Wireless | | | | set up so that you can keep your window open a |
| contacts have a transmitter tied to them or built | | | | few inches for ventilation and still be armed. |