DSC PG9307 Posts

You have likely heard us talking about the benefits of PowerG Sensors at one point or another. Today, we figured we would break down the benefits of these sensors and explain why we like them so much. Let's take an in-depth look at PowerG Sensors and all of their wonderful benefits.

PowerG Sensors were originally designed for the hardwired DSC PowerSeries NEO Systems. By adding a compatible transceiver unit to your PowerSeries NEO, the system will be able to support PowerG Sensors. Johnson Controls, which you may know as the parent company of DSC, took the technology associated with PowerG Sensors, and brought it over to the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 System. This move was not a major surprise, as Johnson Controls also had partial ownership over Qolsys at the time, and Johnson Controls has since bought out Qolsys entirely.

The addition of PowerG support for the IQ2 marked the beginning of the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, which is how the system is still marketed and sold today. PowerG support is also available for the DSC Iotega, though that panel has largely flopped due to its lack of local end user programming. Today, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus represents the most popular panel for supporting PowerG. All versions and variants of the IQ Panel 2 Plus support PowerG Sensors, and their exceptional performance makes them the go-to choice for IQ2+ users who want equipment with the best versatility and protection.

Starting with the range, PowerG Sensors can be used from up to 2,000 feet away from the IQ Panel 2 Plus when they are used in an open air environment. By open air environment, we are talking about a perfect setting with a direct line of sight, and no obstacles between the sensor and the alarm panel. Most homes and businesses do not provide the ideal, "open air" environment, as there are usually walls and metal appliances present. When you see us mention that 2,000 feet open air range, take that with a grain of salt, because in practice, the range is likely a bit less. But still, we can undoubtedly say that PowerG offers arguably the best wireless range in the security industry. Even if its nominal range isn't quite as far as its "open air range", it is still a very powerful signal that can help you overcome the range issues that other sensor lineups may experience. It is great for use in detached garages, barns, multi-building complexes, and even just large industrial buildings.

To make matters even better, there is also a PowerG Repeater, the PG9920. This device will effectively double the range of any PowerG Sensor and help you overcome range limitations caused by thick walls and other obstacles or signal disruptions. The repeater works by taking the signal sent out from any PowerG Sensor and sending it out a second time with just as much power and force as when it was first sent from the original sensor. By strategically placing the repeater, it's theoretically possible to double the useful wireless range of these sensors. That would mean that they can be used from up to 4,000 feet away from the IQ2+ in an open air environment. And if your building is particularly large, you may even have repeaters going away from the IQ Panel 2 Plus System in different directions, including up and down in building stories above or below.

But PowerG Sensors offer more than just an impressive wireless range. They are also known for their exceptional security. This is thanks to their military grade 128-bit AES encryption. To put this as simply as possible, the PowerG Sensor and the panel share a unique encryption key at the time of pairing. The sensor must provide this encryption key to the panel whenever it transmits a signal. Additionally, the panel must then provide a return response with the encryption key as verification in order for the command to go through. In the past, we have referred to this two-way communication process as a "digital handshake". Because of this encrypted pairing process, a PowerG Sensor actively knows whether or not it is currently paired with a panel. You may need to factory default a PowerG Sensor before you can pair it with a new system.

PowerG Sensors also take proactive measures against RF jamming. When a wireless sensor communicates with an alarm panel, it does so at a certain wireless radio frequency (RF). When we talk about RF jamming, we are referring to any malicious technique that prevents wireless signals from reaching their intended destination. This is accomplished by blocking the receiver with a stronger signal at the same wireless frequency as the device that is legitimately trying to communicate with it. When this is done on an alarm system, the system doesn't receive the incoming signals from faulted sensors, and no action is taken during a security breach or an unfavorable environmental condition. Early wireless sensors did not take this into account, and this made RF jamming an effective way to defeat an older wireless system.

The way that PowerG Sensors overcome RF jamming techniques is through a process called Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). This process involves splitting the RF bandwidth into multiple channels. Each independent channel represents a unique radio frequency for wireless communication to occur. The transmitter (the PowerG Sensor) and the receiver (the alarm panel) both agree on a set of channel hopping sequences that will take place. These sequences are encrypted and time-based for them to occur seamlessly. Since the transmitter and the receiver are both synchronized, they can switch between channels very rapidly. A potential intruder would never be able to re-tun an RF jamming device to keep up. In the case of the PowerG Sensors, the frequency hops occur between 912 MHz and 918 MHz. There are 50 different unique frequency channels that are used, and frequency switches occur 64 times per second. More information on FHSS is available here.

One other benefit of PowerG Sensors that we have never discussed previously is their Adaptive Transmission feature that helps them conserve battery life. This is why you will often see a PowerG Sensor with a very long expected battery life, sometimes more than ten (10) years). Adaptive Transmission involves two-way communication between the PowerG Sensor and the alarm panel. The alarm panel will tell the PowerG Sensor how well its signal is being received. The PowerG Sensor can then adapt its outgoing signal so that it reliably reaches the panel, without expending too much energy. The sensor and the panel regularly exchange this information so that the ideal amount of energy is always used in signal transmissions. This saves battery life in the long run.

We have also found that PowerG Sensors are extremely easy to enroll and they offer the reliable and effective performance that you should expect out of your security system. We wholeheartedly recommend them for use on the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, as well as any other compatible alarm system. It is expected that the upcoming Qolsys IQ Hub will also be able to utilize PowerG Sensors, so look forward to using PowerG Sensors on that panel once it is available.

For now, if you have any questions about PowerG Sensors or the systems that support them, or if you are interested in signing up for new alarm monitoring service, then please reach out to us by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. We'll be available to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Last week, we took a look at three of the best alarm panels in the industry. These were the Honeywell Lyric, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, and the 2GIG GC3e. Today, we are checking out the sensors that you can add to support these systems. Here is our 2020 Security Sensor Buying Guide!

Sensors are accessories that are added to alarm systems to report specific activity. Each sensor has its own job of looking for a certain type of activity in its designated location. All of the sensors on a system communicate with a single centralized panel or hub. This panel is actively listening for any sensor that is triggered due to a potentially important system event. Adding new sensors is perhaps the best way to expand upon an existing system, and they make awesome gifts and stocking stuffers for the security enthusiast in your life.

Broadly speaking, sensors can be split into two main categories, which are security and life safety/environmental. Security sensors look for activity that suggests potentially unauthorized entry into a monitored and protected location, such as a door being opened, movement in a room where nobody is supposed to be present, or a window being broken. Life safety/environmental sensors look for activity associated with unwanted or potentially harmful conditions that affect the well-being of those in the area, such as a flood, an extreme temperature, a fire, or the presence of CO gas. We'll be taking a look at life safety/environmental sensors another time. Today, our focus is on security sensors.

Wireless Sensor Basics

Before we dive into specific security sensors for our top panel picks, we're going to start by giving you some general, generic information that can be applied to any sensor out there. First, understand that this post is focusing only on wireless sensors. These are almost always the sensors chosen for use with wireless alarm systems. Wired sensors can also technically be used with wireless panels but a converter module is almost always needed. Not to mention the fact that wireless sensors are significantly easier to install, especially for DIY users. The only time you will realistically see wired sensors used with a wireless panel is if a user is upgrading from an older wired system and bringing over their old wired sensors, or in new construction where a user wants to integrate the sensors in with the building. But if you're expanding upon a wireless system by getting new sensors, then the new sensors will almost certainly be wireless.

The important thing to remember when choosing wireless sensors for a wireless alarm panel is making sure the sensor is compatible with the system. It doesn't matter if a sensor has all the specs and features if it doesn't work with your panel! The way to determine compatibility is to look at the lineup that the sensor is from. Petty much every wireless sensor out there is part of a larger grouping of sensors that will all have the same compatibility.

To make it easier for you, we have the three panels we mentioned before (well, make that five, as the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus actually comes in three versions), and all their compatible sensor lineups conveniently listed. We hope that this sheds some light on your options. The only caveat is that for any panel listed here that supports the Honeywell 5800 Sensors, we must be clear that this is only for the uni-directional sensors with one-way communication in the lineup. Any bi-directional Honeywell 5800 Sensors with two-way communication will not work with any of the aforementioned systems. The bi-directional Honeywell 5800 Sensors are only compatible with the Honeywell LYNX Touch and VISTA Systems, which were not included in our buying guides.

With that out of the way, here are compatible sensor lineups by system:

• Honeywell Lyric - Honeywell SiX Series, Honeywell 5800 Series, 2GIG 345 MHz Series
• 2GIG GC3e - 2GIG eSeries Encrypted Sensors, 2GIG 345 MHz Series, Honeywell 5800 Series
• Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus 319.5 MHz - DSC PowerG Sensors, Qolsys S-Line Sensors, Qolsys Legacy 319.5 MHz Sensors, Legacy Interlogix Sensors, Legacy GE Sensors
• Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus 345 MHz - DSC PowerG Sensors, Honeywell 5800 Sensors, 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors
• Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus 433 MHz - DSC PowerG Sensors, Legacy DSC 433 MHZ Sensors

You will notice that some of the sensor groups listed above are italicized and underlined. That is done to identify the lineups of encrypted sensors. These encrypted sensors have special protection measures put in place to make them more secure and less prone to being hacked or defeated by malicious attacks. Encrypted sensors tend to have more restricted compatibility. They may follow a special enrollment process. Encrypted sensors often use bi-directional communication so that the sensor knows that it is actively paired with the system. Many encrypted sensors may only be paired with a single system at any given time, and the sensor will need to be deleted from its existing system before it will work with a new one.

It's okay to use non-encrypted sensors with your system, especially in zones that are less likely to trigger an alarm, like a second story window. Many users will opt to use a mixture of both encrypted and non-encrypted sensors. Other users feel comfortable using entirely non-encrypted sensors. It really comes down to your level of comfort. Non-encrypted sensors are secure in most situations, and they are still tricky to defeat. But going fully encrypted is recommended for anyone seeking maximum security. One tip if you do decide to go with some non-encrypted sensors is to avoid letting others know what wireless frequency your sensors use or what type of system you have installed. Knowing the frequency and the system being used makes it much easier for a savvy intruder to defeat a sensor.

Door & Window Alarm Sensors

Now that you know some basics that apply to almost all wireless sensors, let's start talking about specific types and models. Door and window sensors will let a system know when a door or window has been opened or closed. These are some of the most basic and easy to use sensors on a security system. These devices work by using a larger sensor portion and a smaller magnet portion. The sensor is placed on or inside the door or window frame, and the magnet is placed on or inside the moving portion of the door or window. When the door or window is opened, the magnet will move away from the sensor. This will trip a metal reed switch inside the sensor, which will tell the sensor to alert the system to the opened door or window. All of the sensors we've listed here follow that same method of operation.

Door and window sensors can be split into two (2) main categories. Surface-mount door and window sensors are mounted outside the door or window and its accompanying frame on the surface. The advantage to surface-mount door and window sensors is that they are very easy to install, and they can usually be mounted using double sided foam tape. But some users may not like how they are visible on the outside of the door or window. If you don't like the appearance of visible surface-mount door and window sensors, then you might instead consider recessed door and window sensors. A recessed door or window sensor is installed inside a door or window and its frame, so that it is hidden and cannot be seen from the outside. Recessed door and window sensors are more difficult and time-consuming to install, because you must drill holes in both the door or window and its accompanying frame. Whether you decide to use surface-mount door and window sensors, or recessed door and window sensors is up to you. Most DIY users and Alarm Grid customers in general will use surface-mount door and window sensors.

Now let's look at some door and window sensors.:

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Installation	Notes
Honeywell SiXMINICT	Honeywell SiX Series	Lyric	200 Nominal Feet	128-bit AES	Surface-Mount	Premier mini encrypted door/window Sensor for Lyric.
DSC PG9303	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	Surface-Mount	PowerG encrypted surface mount door/window sensor.
DSC PG9307	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	Recessed	PowerG encrypted recessed door/window sensor.
2GIG DW10e	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries Encryption	Surface-Mount	Encrypted surface-mount sensor for 2GIG
2GIG DW20e	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries Encryption	Recessed	Encrypted recessed sensor for 2GIG
Qolsys IQ DW Mini-S	Qolsys S-Line	319.5 MHz IQ2+	600 Feet Open Air	Qolsys S-Line Encryption	Surface-Mount	Encrypted surface-mount sensor for 319.5 MHz systems.
Qolsys IQ Recessed Door-S	Qolsys S-Line	319.5 MHz IQ 2+	600 Feet Open Air	Qolsys S-Line Encryption	Recessed	Encrypted recessed sensor for 319.5 MHz systems.
Honeywell 5818MNL	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Recessed	Non-Encrypted recessed door/window sensor for 345 MHz systems.
VERSA-2GIG	2GIG 345 MHz	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Surface-Mount	Non-encrypted surface-mount sensor for 345 MHz systems.
VERSA-GE	Legacy GE	319.5 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Surface-Mount	Non-encrypted surface-mount sensor for 319.5 MHz systems.
VERSA-DSC	Legacy DSC	433 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Surface-Mount	Non-encrypted surface-mount sensor for 433 MHz systems.

We also want to share a selection of outdoor door and window sensors with you. These surface-mount contact sensors are specifically designed to withstand the conditions of an outdoor environment, including intense rain, wind, dust, and sunlight. You can see them listed below.

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Installation	Notes
Honeywell 5816OD	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Surface-Mount	Outdoor contact sensor from 5800 Series.
DSC PG9312	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	Surface-Mount	PowerG Outdoor Contact Sensor.
2GIG DW30-345	2GIG 345 MHz	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	350 Nominal Feet	None	Surface-Mount	Outdoor contact sensor from 2GIG 345 MHz series.

Motion Sensors

Motion sensors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement within the sensor's coverage area. This is done by looking for the changes in infrared (IR) energy that occur when a person, animal, or object comes within the sensor's field of view. Standard motion sensors are typically PIR only. These are appropriately called PIR motion sensors.

Some motion sensors will also use microwave technology in addition to PIR technology. This involves having the sensor send out microwave signals and seeing how the signals bounce off of objects in the area. Movement will change the pattern of these microwave signals, and the sensor will be able to detect this. These motion sensors that use both microwave and PIR are called Dual-Tech motion sensors. The purpose of using both PIR and microwave together is to prevent false alarms. A Dual-Tech motion sensor will only activate and alert the system if both its PIR sensor and its microwave sensor are triggered. A microwave sensor is not vulnerable to the same environmental issues that may cause a false activation on a PIR. You will not find a motion sensor that uses microwave technology without PIR detection, as microwave alone would result in too many false alarms without having PIR to confirm movement.

One feature that you will often see listed on a motion sensor is pet-immunity. A motion sensor that has been set up for pet immunity can be configured to not "look" in the areas close to the ground where pets and small animals walk. Instead, the motion sensor only looks in the areas higher up, where humans move while walking upright. A pet immune motion sensor is not impervious to small animals, and you must position it carefully so that it works as intended. Pet immune motion sensors normally have a weight limit, where animals under that weight limit should avoid triggering the sensor, assuming that the sensor is installed properly. Please note that most pet friendly motion sensors will require you to set the sensitivity for the sensor to the lowest possible setting.

When it comes to motion sensors, mounting them carefully is very important. A motion sensor may cause false alarms on the system if it is not installed properly. These sensors should not be facing any vents, air ducts, ceiling fans, or curtains that may cause the sensor to activate without any movement. If you are using the motion sensor for pet immunity, then it should also not be facing any furniture or stairwells that your pet could use to get within the sensor's field of view. You will likely want to perform a Walk Test of your motion sensor to make sure that it responds properly when movement is present, and does not respond due to other external factors when there is no movement. You should also have any pets participate in the Walk Test to ensure that pet immunity is working properly.

We recommend reading the following FAQs to learn more about motion sensors:

• What is a PIR Motion Sensor?
• What are Microwave Motion Sensors?
• What is a Pet-Immune Motion Sensor?

Below are some of the most popular motion sensors for our recommended systems:

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Coverage Area	Detection Type	Pet Immunity	Notes
Honeywell SiXPIR	Honeywell SiX Series	Lyric	300 Nominal Feet	128-bit AES	40 by 56 Feet	PIR	Up to 80 lbs	Encrypted PIR Motion for Lyric.
DSC PG9914	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	Up to 39 Feet	PIR	Up to 85 lbs	PowerG Encrypted PIR Motion.
DSC PG9984P	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	Up to 50 Feet	Dual-Tech	Up to 40 lbs	PowerG Encrypted Dual-Tech Motion.
2GIG PIR1e	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries Encryption	30 by 50 Feet	PIR	Up to 55 lbs	Encrypted PIR Motion for 2GIG.
Honeywell 5800PIR-RES	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	35 by 40 Feet	PIR	Up to 80 lbs	Non-encrypted residential PIR motion for 345 MHz systems.
Honeywell 5800PIR-COM	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz, IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	60 by 80 Feet	PIR	None	Non-encrypted commercial PIR motion for 345 MHz systems.
Honeywell 5898	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	35 by 40 Feet for Pet Immunity	Dual-Tech	Up to 100 lbs	Non-encrypted Dual-Tech motion for 345 MHz systems.
Qolsys IQ Motion-S	Qolsys S-Line	319.5 MHz IQ2+	600 Feet Open Air	Qolsys S-Line Encryption	30 by 40 Feet	PIR	Up to 40 lbs	Non-encrypted PIR motion for 319.5 MHz systems.

There are also certain outdoor motion detection sensors that are better-suited for use in an outdoor environment. These outdoor motion sensor models are typically more expensive than indoor variants. You can see some of our most popular ones listed below:

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Coverage Area	Detection Type	Pet Immunity	Notes
DSC PG9994	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	Up to 30 Feet	PIR	Up to 40 lbs	PowerG Outdoor PIR Motion Sensor
Honeywell 5800PIR-OD	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	40 by 30 Feet	PIR	None	Honeywell 5800 Series Outdoor Motion, 1st ed.
Honeywell 5800PIR-OD2	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	40 by 30 Feet	PIR	None	Honeywell 5800 Series Outdoor Motion, 2nd ed.
Optex FTN-RRIX	Legacy Interlogix	319.5 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Up to 16.5 Feet	PIR	None	Optex Fitlink Outdoor Motion Sensor for 319.5 MHz Systems
Optex FTN-RR2G	2GIG 345 MHz	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Up to 16.5 Feet	PIR	None	Optex Fitlink Outdoor Motion Sensor for 345 MHz Systems.
Optex FTN-RRDS	Legacy DSC	433 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Up to 16.5 Feet	PIR	None	Optex Fitlink Outdoor Motion Sensor for 433 MHz Systems.

Glass Break Sensors

The last type of security sensors we will be discussing are glass break sensors. These sensors include built-in microphones, and they actively listen for the unique sound of glass breaking. Most of these sensors will need to hear both the high-pitched shattering sound of the glass breaking, as well as the low-pitched sound of an object striking against the glass in order to activate. This design choice is to prevent false alarms caused by similar sounds. Most users will use glass break sensors to monitor windows, but they have also been known to work effectively on protective glass display cases that store valuables, such as what you might find in jewelry stores or gun shops. Most types of glass will work with glass break sensors, though there are some exceptions. For example double and triple pane glass windows won't work reliably. The same is true for coated or "safety" glass. Refer to the manual for the exact glass break detector you are using to determine compatibility.

A single glass break detector can monitor multiple windows or display cases, as long as the glass it is monitoring is within its detection range, which is typically 15 to 25 feet. Any glass that is being monitored must have a direct line of sight with the sensor, with no obstacles blocking the path that sound will travel through. When testing your glass break sensors, it is strongly recommended that you us a glass break simulator. These devices will mimic the sound of the glass breaking and activate your glass break sensors without actually breaking any glass. Remember to refer the instructions of your glass break simulator for more information. When choosing a glass break simulator, it is best to use a simulator from the same manufacturer, if possible. We have a Honeywell Glass Break Simulator and a DSC Glass Break Simulator available on our website. If you get one of the 2GIG Glass Break Sensors mentioned in this buying guide, then the Honeywell Glass Break Simulator is best for testing. Otherwise, just match the manufacturer.

• Honeywell FG701 Glass Break Simulator
• DSC AFT-100 Glass Break Simulator

Below are some of our most popular glass break sensors:

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Notes
Honeywell SiXGB	Honeywell SiX Series	Lyric	300 Nominal Feet	128-bit AES	SiX Series Glass Break Sensor for Lyric
DSC PG922	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	PowerG Glass Break Sensor
2GIG GB1e	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries Encryption	Encrypted glass break sensor for 2GIG.
Honeywell 5853	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Non-encrypted glass break sensor for 345 MHz systems.
Qolsys IQ Glass-S	Qolsys S-Line	319.5 MHz IQ2+	600 Feet Open Air	Qolsys S-Line Encryption	Encrypted glass break sensor for 319.5 MHz systems.

Reach Out to Us!

Remember that you can reach out to us with any questions you might have about planning your system and determining sensor compatibility. The best way to contact us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a good email to use if you are interested in starting new alarm monitoring service with Alarm Grid. Our team checks for new email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you're setting up a new security system for use with Alarm.com, then you might be wondering which door and window sensors to use. The answer really comes down to which system you are using and how you intend on using your sensors. Plenty of contact sensor options are usually available!

Alarm sensors do not communicate directly with Alarm.com. Instead, sensors communicate with alarm panels. From there, the panel will use an alarm monitoring communicator to send signals to Alarm.com. This communicator must be activated and registered for Alarm.com service. Per Alarm.com requirements, cellular connectivity is required. This means that your system must use a cellular communicator or a dual-path communicator that is built for use with Alarm.com.

As far as choosing specific sensors, it comes down to determining whether or not they will work with the system you are intending to use with Alarm.com. Today, we're going to break down some of the most popular Alarm.com Security Systems and help you determine the best sensors to use. Remember that our security system kits already come with some compatible sensors to get started. It may only be that you just need to add a few more door and window sensors, or you might not need to add any extra ones at all!

We will give you three (3) scenarios for each system. These are:

1. Surface-Mounted Door/Window Sensors
2. Recessed Door/Window Sensors
3. Outdoor Door/Window Sensors

In most situations, surface-mounted sensors are what you want to go with. These are the standard regular sensors that you would use with virtually any door or window. They are super easy to install, and they are some of the most basic security devices you will encounter.

If appearance is important to you, and you want the sensor to remain hidden while the door or window is closed, then you may consider getting recessed sensors instead. Just remember that recessed sensors will require you rolling up your sleeves and drilling holes into your door/window and its frame. In addition to the added work, this may also have warranty ramifications with regard to the door or window.

And of course, if you plan on using the door/window sensor in an outdoor environment, then you will want to make sure the sensor is approved for outdoor use. Trying to use an indoor-only sensor in an outdoor environment will likely result in damage to the device due to exposure to rain, dust, etc. This also typically applies if you plan on using the sensor in an area that is not insulated, such as a shed, a gate or a barn.

Note: If you are totally new to door and window sensors and want to know more about how they operate, please check out this FAQ.

Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus (PowerG)

Arguably the most popular system to use with Alarm.com right now in 2020 is the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. There are three (3) versions of the system, with each one supporting a different legacy sensor frequency (319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, 433 MHz). We will discuss the legacy sensor options in a minute. But one of the biggest reasons to purchase an IQ Panel 2 Plus is to use PowerG Sensors. All three versions of the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus support the PowerG Sensors. These sensors can communicate with the IQ Panel 2 Plus System from up to 2,000 feet away in open air, and they utilize 128-bit AES encryption and frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) for enhanced wireless security. For anyone with an IQ Panel 2 Plus, these are the sensors we would point to first.

• Surface-Mounted Sensor: DSC PG9303
• Recessed Sensor: DSC PG9307
• Outdoor Sensor: DSC PG9312

2GIG GC3e & 2GIG GC2e (eSeries)

Right now, we view the 2GIG GC3e and the 2GIG GC2e as the best alternatives for users who want to get started with Alarm.com, but don't want to use a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. The most popular sensors to use with these systems are the encrypted 2GIG eSeries Sensors. They are built for the GC3e and GC2e Systems, and they utilize encryption for protection against wireless hacking or takeover attempts. Remember that these systems are both backwards compatible with 345 MHz sensors (more on those later). But if you're running a GC3e or a GC2e, then we're going to recommend the eSeries products.

• Surface-Mounted Sensor: 2GIG DW10e
• Recessed Sensor: 2GIG DW20e
• Outdoor Sensor: 2GIG DW30e

Original Qolsys IQ Panel 2, IQ Panel, Interlogix Simon Systems (Legacy 319.5 MHz)

Things become a little tricky when we get into the legacy sensor frequencies. There is usually a lot of inter-compatibility across manufacturers, so often the choice comes down to preference. We will list our favorites based on value and functionality. But understand that you have a lot of options available when it comes to 319.5 MHz sensors. This frequency is used with the original Qolsys IQ Panel 2, the original Qolsys IQ Panel, and all of the legacy Interlogix Simon Series Panels. Keep in mind that you can also use these sensors with the 319.5 MHz version of the IQ Panel 2 Plus as an alternative to PowerG. The 319.5 MHz frequency is also typically used with any wired Interlogix NetworX Panel that has a wireless receiver added.

• Surface-Mounted Sensor: VERSA-GE
• Recessed Sensor: Qolsys IQ Recessed Door-S
• Outdoor Sensor: ELK 319DG

2GIG GC3 & 2GIG GC2 (Legacy 345 MHz)

If you are working with a 2GIG GC3 or a 2GIG Go!Control GC2, then you will be enrolling legacy 345 MHz sensors with your system. This frequency was popularized by the Honeywell 5800 Sensors, and later the 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors. The GC2 and GC3 support both of these lineups, so you really have a lot of options to choose from. We're just going to list our particular favorites. Remember that you can also use these sensors with a 345 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus as an alternative to PowerG.

• Surface-Mounted Sensor: VERSA-2GIG
• Recessed Sensor: 2GIG GW20R
• Outdoor Sensor: 2GIG DW30-345

DSC Impassa & DSC PowerSeries (Legacy 433 MHz)

DSC popularized their own wireless frequency of 433 MHz. If you have a DSC Impassa, then these will be the sensors you are using. The 433 MHz sensors can also be used with a DSC PowerSeries Panel that has a wireless receiver added. Although we do not sell the original DSC PowerSeries Systems, we do offer the DSC RF5132-433 Wireless Receiver that will allow support for these sensors. And of course, you can also use these 433 MHz sensors with the 433 MHz version of the IQ Panel 2 Plus as an alternative to PowerG. Unfortunately, we don't have a good recommendation for a 433 MHz outdoor door and window sensor. so we'll just list the other two types instead.

• Surface-Mounted Sensor: VERSA-DSC
  
• Recessed Sensor: DSC EV-DW4917
  

Honeywell VISTA, DSC PowerSeries, DSC PowerSeries NEO, Interlogix/GE NetworX (Wired Sensors)

Many hardwired security systems can connect with Alarm.com using what is known as an Alarm.com System Enhancement Module (SEM). And since hardwired panels often use wired sensors, this makes hardwired door and window contacts technically compatible with Alarm.com as well! Honeywell VISTA Systems, DSC PowerSeries Systems, DSC PowerSeries NEO Systems, and Interlogix/GE NetworX Systems all have compatible SEM communicators available.

The great thing about hardwired contacts is that they are pretty much universal across all wired systems, provided that the system is not using polling loop sensors. We'll focus on standard non-polling loop sensors here, but these are all good options for most hardwired alarm panels. Also keep in mind that there are MANY options when it comes to wired contacts. Don't feel like you are restricted to the ones we happened to pick!

• Surface-Mounted Sensor: Honeywell PAL-T
  
• Recessed Sensor: Honeywell 951WG
• Outdoor Sensor: Honeywell 958

Get Started with Alarm Grid & Alarm.com

If you are interested in signing-up for Alarm.com service through Alarm Grid, make sure to check out our monitoring page. We support Alarm.com with our Gold and Platinum Level Plans (Self & Full) and our Cell-Only Plan. If you have any questions about our products or monitoring services, be sure to shoot us an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We operate support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! Today, we're taking a look at our best wireless recessed door contacts. These devices are great for when you want sensors that are completely hidden and not visible when the door is closed. They take a little bit of extra effort to install, but it's worth it for many users!

When you have a recessed contact, you actually need to drill holes into the door and its frame. The hole in the frame is larger and sized to support the main sensor. The hole in the door is smaller and designed to support the magnet. Some recessed contacts use extremely small magnets that can be mounted without drilling holes. There is also the Honeywell 5800RPS, which uses a plunger switch rather than a magnet.

The key with wireless recessed contacts is knowing which ones are compatible with your system. This depends on the wireless receiver that your system has installed. If you have a hardwired panel with no wireless receiver, then you cannot use wireless sensors. It's really no different than any other wireless sensor. You might also want to know the size of the holes you will need to drill. For your convenience, we put together a nifty table that outlines nearly all of the information you could want:

Sensor Name & Picture	Wireless Frequency	Hole Size for Sensor	Hole Size for Magnet	Notes
Honeywell 5818MNL	345 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 3" Deep	3/8" Diameter, 1/2" Deep	Honeywell 5800 Series Sensor. Compatible with all Honeywell and 2GIG Panels and 345 MHz IQ2+
Honeywell 5800RPS	345 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 1.25" Deep	None needed!	Honeywell 5800 Series Sensor. Recessed plunger switch. Needs inner 1/4" hole in center of existing hole for antenna. Compatible with all Honeywell and 2GIG Panels and 345 MHz IQ2+
2GIG DW20R	345 MHz	11/16" Diameter, 2.6" Deep	11/16" Diameter, 1/2" Deep	2GIG 345 MHz Sensor. Compatible with all 2GIG Panels, Honeywell Lyric Controller and 345 MHz IQ2+
Interlogix TX-E221	319.5 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 2.5" Deep	3/4" Diameter, 1/2" Deep	Interlogix/GE Sensor. Compatible with all Interlogix/GE Systems, legacy Qolsys Systems and 319.5 MHz IQ2+
Qolsys IQ Recessed Door-S	319.5 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 2.25" Deep	3/4" Diameter, 5/8" Deep	Qolsys S-Line Sensor. Compatible with all Interlogix/GE Systems, legacy Qolsys Systems and 319.5 MHz IQ2+. Encrypted when paired with Qolsys IQ2 or IQ2+.
DSC EV-DW4917	433 MHz	11/16" Diameter, 3" Deep	3/4" Diameter, 5/8" Deep	Legacy DSC Sensor. Compatible with all DSC Systems and 433 MHz IQ2+. Screw mount and press fit installation options available.
DSC PG9307	915 MHz	0.75" Diameter, 2.66" Deep	None needed!	PowerG Sensor. Uses a 2 mm magnet that requires no hole. Uses 128-bit AES encryption. Compatible with DSC PowerSeries Neo Panels, DSC Iotega, every IQ2+.

If you're monitored with Alarm Grid, or if you're interested in monitoring, our team would be happy to help you find the best wireless recessed contact for your needs. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 from 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to helping you find the perfect security equipment to protect your home or business!