Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Concord Express - Window sensor wiring issue
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smithsonga
12-16-04, 05:02 PM
Hello
I have a Concord Express system (ITI?) with a window that kept chiming as if someone was opening it. I popped the sensor out and one of the two wires just fall right out of the crimper the installer had used.
I thought, Great! easy....just restrip the wires and I will have this problem solved. Well, I did that and now the system never shows it closed.
I might have felt the slightest tingle of low voltage when I was restripping the wire etc...I did not (and did think of it) unplug the entire system prior to doing this. I have looked at other windows and there is no other way this window can be wired....so what could be wrong?
HELP! The alarm installer is an idiot and has become rude. He was already out and checked out the box in the basement but didnt/wouldnt look at the sensors...claim they never go bad...well, you can see above what I found.
Ideas? Thanks! :wall:
Jim
I have a Concord Express system (ITI?) with a window that kept chiming as if someone was opening it. I popped the sensor out and one of the two wires just fall right out of the crimper the installer had used.
I thought, Great! easy....just restrip the wires and I will have this problem solved. Well, I did that and now the system never shows it closed.
I might have felt the slightest tingle of low voltage when I was restripping the wire etc...I did not (and did think of it) unplug the entire system prior to doing this. I have looked at other windows and there is no other way this window can be wired....so what could be wrong?
HELP! The alarm installer is an idiot and has become rude. He was already out and checked out the box in the basement but didnt/wouldnt look at the sensors...claim they never go bad...well, you can see above what I found.
Ideas? Thanks! :wall:
Jim
Desy2820
12-17-04, 03:56 PM
expert, but there shouldn't have been enough "power" flowing through the wires to hurt you or the alarm system. I would try using a wire nut or twisting the ends of the wires together. This should simulate a closed switch.
If the alarm system works, shows the zone as closed, then you may have a bad window switch....or your magnet (the other part of the switch) is out of alignment or too far from it's other half.
If the zone doesn't close, then try this at the alarm panel itself, where all the wiring connections are, now it should show closed. (I'm assuming that this window is on a zone all by itself and has a wire running directly back to the alarm panel.) If this fixes it, then I think that you may need to start troubleshooting the wiring itself....if there's one bad splice, there may be more...Your best bet might be to run a new wire for this zone.
Maybe a phone call to discuss this problem with a supervisor at the installation or alarm company???
I hope this helps!
If the alarm system works, shows the zone as closed, then you may have a bad window switch....or your magnet (the other part of the switch) is out of alignment or too far from it's other half.
If the zone doesn't close, then try this at the alarm panel itself, where all the wiring connections are, now it should show closed. (I'm assuming that this window is on a zone all by itself and has a wire running directly back to the alarm panel.) If this fixes it, then I think that you may need to start troubleshooting the wiring itself....if there's one bad splice, there may be more...Your best bet might be to run a new wire for this zone.
Maybe a phone call to discuss this problem with a supervisor at the installation or alarm company???
I hope this helps!
MrRonFL
12-17-04, 04:17 PM
Window contacts do, in fact, go bad; sometimes right out of the box. It is rare, but happens. The suggestion above is correct. If you twist the wires together and the zone closes, then you have a contact issue of some type.
What style is it? If it's the plug type contact, they sometimes break internally if forced into too tight of a hole. Is this the only opening on that loop? The surface mount contacts tend to have fewer issues, but if the magnet is too far away to close the contact, this could be a problem.
What style is it? If it's the plug type contact, they sometimes break internally if forced into too tight of a hole. Is this the only opening on that loop? The surface mount contacts tend to have fewer issues, but if the magnet is too far away to close the contact, this could be a problem.