Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - ADT Wireless Window Contact Reporting "backwards"

I have an ADT PowerSeries Self Contained Wireless Alarm System (SCW9047-422 v1.0) with Wireless Door/Window contacts WS4945.

I purchased additional window contacts (same model) through a 3rd party vendor. I have followed the instructions for Wireless Device Enrollment and have successfully enrolled the devices (on separate zones, all using 03 (Instant) as Zone Type).

These contacts are reporting "backwards", however. When the contacts are together (closed), the panel is reporting that there is a zone fault and the system is not ready. When I separate the contacts (open), the system reports ready.

I have removed the devices from the system, re-enrolled, programmed them manually, etc. They all report the opposite of what they should.

The contacts that came with the system (identical to these) all report correctly.

Am I missing a setting or doing something incorrect during the enrollment process?

I've already called my installer but he has yet to return my call. I'm hoping someone here has a clue as to what the problem is.

Thanks,
Chris

Just to make things a little easier, your "ADT" system is actually made by DSC. It's a 9047 self contained wireless system. (ADT doesn't actually make hardware, they order customized versions from other vendors).

When you enrolled your contact devices, did you start with the contact _open_ and then _close_ the contact when prompted? If you do it the other way around, then you will get that kind of backward behavior.

Yes, I had the contacts open (separated) when I entered Wireless Enrollment. Then, when prompted, I closed the contacts and verified the ESN displayed on the panel. I selected the zone to assign to, then the zone type. After exiting enrollment, the system status is Ready (with the contacts still closed). However, when I open the contacts, then close, the system reports the zone fault.

I've tried it both ways (starting enrollment with the contacts closed, and again with them open) -- both have the same result.

I also manually programmed the device info (Section 804) with the same result.

Hmmmm,

Do you have the battery cover in place? (it has a tamper switch)
Are you using the wall mount tamper option?

I have the feeling that this is one of those little things where you have some small setting or piece of hardware set wrong (because most DSC instructions are not as clear as they could be...)

The battery cover is in place. I removed it to ensure the battery was correctly seated. The tamper switch is making good contact with the board, as well. I am not using the wall-mount tamper option, only the enclosure tamper.

I purchased 5 new WS4945 contacts and have enrolled and tested them all - they all test out backwards.

I've also gone through the settings for the other 3 contacts (same model) that are currently in use and they look identical.

Is there an option somewhere in the programming to set a contact as normally open or normally closed? It seems like the logical issue since the panel is interpreting them backwards.

Any other suggestions?

No, the WS4549 is only normally closed. Sounds like you got WS4549Ns. Those are normally open. There's usually a sticker inside the transmitter. If there's an "N" at the end, they're wrong.

Alright, I'm completely and throughly confused now.

The model number on BOTH the good "in-use" contacts (that came with the system) and the contacts I just ordered (that are backwards) have the model number listed as WS4945NA.

So the model numbers match; they should be the exact same contacts.

That's from the sticker on the outside of the casing.

HOWEVER, after looking at my order receipt I purchased WS4945 contacts... not the "N" contacts.

I'm really lost at this point. Could they be labeled wrong? That's the only logical conclusion that I can come to at this point as the existing contacts with the same model number function correctly, and they are marked WS4945NA.

What do you guys think?
Chris

No, there's no setting on this system that allows you to reverse the behavior of the contacts. This is really a _very_ simple system.

You _do_ have the ADT version of the system, in the recent past, they haven't ordered radical modifications of the system firmware beyond changing the default install code, but they have sold heavily modified systems in the years past.

I got nothing. The 9047 is a relatively new unit, and while it follows basic power series programming behavior, I've not had my hands on this one.

On the original transmitters, did they wire external contacts, or are they using the magnet right next to the transmitter?


I'm sorry, typed numbers wrong. 4549 instead of 4945.

Maybe Ron is right. ADT does modify standard panels. Perhaps this is the case.

No hardwiring, just the magnet next to the contact terminal.

So are you saying that it's possible ADT modified the contacts? Or the panel? Being that the contact models are the same (on the outside, at least. I'm going to open them up tomorrow and check the sticker on the inside), it just doesn't seem likely that it's at the panel at this point.

Really starting to think that I received the wrong contacts. Any other thoughts please send them my way. Otherwise I'm going to give the retailer a call tomorrow and see what I can arrange to get them swapped out.

Thanks again, guys.