Honeywell 5800COMBO Posts

Alarm Grid is aware of Technical Notification #55 that identifies possible premature low battery warnings for Honeywell Combination Smoke and CO Detectors. Affected products include the Honeywell 5800COMBO, the Honeywell SiXCOMBO, and the new Honeywell Home PROSIXCOMBO for the PROA7PLUS.

According to Technical Notification #55 from Resideo, most instances of a premature low battery condition occur after replacing the batteries in a Honeywell 5800COMBO, Honeywell SiXCOMBO, or Honeywell Home PROSIXCOMBO. This notice pertains only to a low battery condition that occurs immediately, or almost immediately, after replacing the batteries in a sensor that has been in use for several years.

Each of the aforementioned combination smoke/CO detectors uses four (4) lithium 3V CR123A batteries for power. These should be Panasonic batteries only, per Resideo. A premature low battery condition is when the sensor falsely indicates that the batteries inside the sensor are low on power, and a corresponding trouble condition is displayed for the associated zone(s) on the panel. But while the sensor is falsely indicating low batteries, the actual reality is that the batteries are still at, or near, full power.

Resideo states that the false low battery condition is the result of intermittent connectivity between the batteries themselves and the nickel battery contact points inside the sensor's battery compartment. The best way to verify that the low-battery condition is indeed false is to take a voltmeter reading of the batteries. If you find that the reading for each battery is at or above 3V, then you can confirm that the low battery condition is false. Any one of the four (4) batteries that reads below 3V could cause a low battery indication.

Additionally, Resideo suggests taking the following steps to see if a low battery trouble condition can be cleared:

• Make sure each battery is properly seated and secured in its holder.
• Make sure the battery contacts are snug with no movement.
• Make sure the battery as well as the battery contacts are clean, and wipe them with alcohol or a mildly abrasive cloth if necessary.
• Remove and reinstall the batteries to try and clear the trouble condition.
• Replace old batteries with fresh ones to see if the trouble clears.

As a reference, the aforementioned sensors will typically report a low battery condition once the detected voltage drops below 2.3V. If you have a premature low battery condition on one of these sensors that you cannot otherwise clear, then make sure to check the batteries regularly and replace them as soon as necessary. If possible, try performing the steps above to see if you can correct a premature low battery condition. It may be necessary in a worse case scenario to replace any sensor affected by this condition. Attempting to use a sensor displaying a consistent low battery trouble is certainly not ideal, even if that condition is known to be false. Remember that these are life-safety sensors, so keeping them consistently powered on and functioning properly is crucial.

If you are an Alarm Grid customer and have any questions about this issue, then please do not hesitate to email our support team at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We're checking out the best environmental sensors for our top security system picks for the 2020 holiday shopping season, which are the Honeywell Lyric, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, and the 2GIG GC3e. Environmental sensors include life-safety sensors, flood sensors, and temperature sensors.

If you haven't seen our alarm panel 2020 holiday buying guide or our security sensor 2020 holiday buying guide, then be sure to go and check those out, as they will give a nice introduction to this buying guide for environmental sensors. You will need to make the same compatibility considerations for environmental sensors as you do for security sensors. The sensors you choose must be compatible with your system and communicate at a wireless frequency that is accepted by the alarm panel you are using.

As a refresher, here are the compatible sensor lineups for our recommended systems. Just like last time, the sensor lineups that are italicized and underlined represent the encrypted sensors that provide extra wireless security and protection.

• 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

While security sensors look for signs of forced entry and unauthorized access, environmental sensors look for undesirable environmental conditions. Specifically, we offer environmental sensors that look for life-threatening conditions, such as a fire or the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. We also offer environmental sensors for detecting floods, water leaks, and unusually high or low temperatures that indicate a broken HVAC system. We will cover each type of environmental sensor in greater detail later in this holiday buying guide.

Adding environmental sensors to your system offers a few advantages. For one, it makes your alarm system more versatile so that it is looking for more than just security breaches. You will also be able to check off more boxes on your certificate of alarm (CoA), and that could lead to bigger savings on your home owner's insurance. Make sure to check with your insurance company to see if that is the case.

Life-Safety Sensors

Life-safety sensors monitor for unsafe environmental conditions that could result in a loss of life. Specifically, this group is primarily comprised of smoke and heat detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. There are also special combination sensors and listening modules that we will discuss further down the line.

First, we will take a look at some of our most popular smoke and heat detectors. These sensors monitor for both the smoke and extremely high temperatures associated with a fire. It is recommended that you have at least one (1) of these sensors on each floor of your building, particularly inside of sleeping areas and in central and connecting areas such as living rooms and hallways.

When checking out these sensors, you might also look for one-go-all-go functionality. This means that when one detector on the network activates, all of the other compatible sensors on the network will also activate their sounders. This can be very important for ensuring that everyone is alerted to the emergency. Certain jurisdictions may require one-go-all-go as part of building codes, so check with your local fire marshal to see if that is the case.

Here are our top picks for smoke and heat detectors.

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Notes
Honeywell SiXSMOKE	Honeywell SiX Series	Lyric	300 Nominal Feet	128-bit AES	Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature and 15°F per minute rate-of-rise heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
DSC PG9936	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
2GIG SMKT8e-345	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries encryption	Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 15°F per minute rate-of-rise heat detector when fixed temperature is 104°F or higher w/ 90 dB sounder and freeze detection at 40°F.
Honeywell 5808W3	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Non-encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder and freeze detection at 41°F.

Now let's look at carbon monoxide sensors. These devices respond upon detecting unusually high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. This gas is both odorless and tasteless, making it virtually impossible to detect without a proper sensor. The gas is extremely harmful to humans, and it can result in serious injury or death in a matter of minutes. We recommend installing at least one CO detector on each floor of your home or office. They are often installed outside of garages and furnace rooms where CO events are most likely to occur.

Here are our top picks for carbon monoxide sensors.

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Notes
DSC PG9933	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	PowerG CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
2GIG CO8e	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries encryption	2GIG eSeries CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
Honeywell 5800CO	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Honeywell 5800 Series CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
2GIG CO8	2GIG 345 MHz Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	350 Nominal Feet	None	2GIG CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
Qolsys IQ Carbon	Qolsys 319.5 MHz Series	319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus	300 Nominal Feet	None	Qolsys CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.

We also want to give some special recognition to some combination smoke and CO detectors from Honeywell. These sensors combine fire detection with carbon monoxide detection into one convenient life-safety device.

Here are our top picks for combination smoke and CO detectors.

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Notes
Honeywell SiXCOMBO	Honeywell SiX Series	Lyric	300 Nominal Feet	128-bit AES	Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector and CO detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
Honeywell 5800COMBO	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector and CO detector w/ 85 dB sounder and freeze detection at 41°F.

Lastly, we want to mention a pair of listening modules. These devices actively listen for the Temporal 3 (T3) sound of an activated smoke detector or the Temporal 4 (T4) sound of an activated carbon monoxide sensor. These are commonly used with wired smoke detectors and CO detectors that would otherwise have no way of interfacing with an alarm system. If your smoke detectors or CO detectors are one-go-all-go, then, a single listening module can take over your entire wired detector network.

Here are our top picks for smoke & CO listening modules.

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Notes
Encore FireFighter FF345	Encore 345 MHz Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Offers both T3 Detection for Fire & T4 Detection for CO
Interlogix SLX-AD-T3	Legacy Interlogix 319.5 MHz	319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus	200 Nominal Feet	None	Only offers T3 Detection for Fire. Not for use with CO detectors.

Flood Sensors

Next, we'll be looking at flood sensors. These devices use probes to detect water caused by a flood or leak. It only takes a small amount of liquid to activate one of these sensors, so your system will be alerted before any serious damage occurs. Many of these sensors double as temperature sensors, so expect to see quite a bit of cross-over with that section as well. For best results, use your flood sensors in low-plane areas where leaks are likely to occur, such as underneath toilets, water heaters, and in basements. You might also see that some flood sensor have a reporting delay that is used for false alarm prevention. This will be listed in the notes section in the table when applicable.

Let's check out our top picks for flood sensors.

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Notes
DSC PG9985	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	PowerG Flood Sensor w/ 6-Foot Detection Probe.
2GIG FT6e-345	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries Encryption	2GIG eSeries Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.
Qolsys IQ Flood-S	Qolsys S-Line Series	319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus	600 Nominal Feet	Qolsys S-Line Encryption	Qolsys S-Line Flood Sensor w/ 6-Foot Detection Probe. Has a 1 to 3 minute reporting delay.
Honeywell 5800FLOOD	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Honeywell 5800 Series Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 45°F. Has a 25 second reporting delay.
2GIG FT6-345	2GIG 345 MHz Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	350 Nominal Feet	None	2GIG 345 MHz Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.

Temperature Sensors

The final type of environmental sensors we'll be checking out are temperature sensors. These sensors look for unusually high or low temperatures that indicate a broken HVAC system. When a temperature sensor is used for high-temperature detection, it should not be confused with a heat detector that looks for extreme temperatures only associated with fires. Instead, the high-end for a temperature sensor will usually activate at around 90°F. When a temperature sensor is used for low-temperature detection, it will sometimes be referred to as a freeze sensor. On the low-end, a freeze sensor will typically activate at a slightly higher than the temperature at which water freezes, which is 32°F. This is done to give the end user a bit of notice so that they can take action before the pipes freeze. You can typically expect a freeze sensor to activate between 40°F and 45°F. Most temperature sensors will offer both high and low temperature detection. And just like in the previous category, there is a lot of crossover with flood sensors, so you may see some repeats from the previous selection.

Here are our top picks for temperature sensors.

Sensor Name	Product Lineup	Compatibility	Range	Encryption	Notes
DSC PG9905	PowerG	All IQ Panel 2 Plus	2,000 Feet Open Air	128-bit AES	PowerG Temperature Sensor w/ customizable high and low temperature detection.
2GIG FT6e-345	2GIG eSeries	2GIG GC3e	350 Nominal Feet	2GIG eSeries Encryption	2GIG eSeries Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.
Qolsys IQ Temp-S	Qolsys S-Line Series	319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus	600 Nominal Feet	Qolsys S-Line Encryption	Qolsys S-Line Temperature Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 100°F and Low Temperature Detection at 40°F.
Honeywell 5800FLOOD	Honeywell 5800 Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	200 Nominal Feet	None	Honeywell 5800 Series Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 45°F. Has a reporting delay of 25 seconds.
2GIG FT6-345	2GIG 345 MHz Series	Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+	350 Nominal Feet	None	2GIG 345 MHz Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.

Contact Us

Remember to contact us if you have any questions about environmental sensors or their compatibility. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a good email to use if you are interested in starting new monitoring service. Remember that we are available to check email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

A great way to build out your Honeywell Lyric is with Honeywell 5800 Sensors. These are simple, 345 MHz wireless sensors that you can easily enroll with the system for security, life-safety, and environmental monitoring. They are perfect for expanding your system and making it more robust.

When you want to pair a Honeywell 5800 Sensor with the Lyric, the process is very straightforward. Put the Lyric in its auto-enrollment mode by choosing Security > Tools > enter Installer Code (default 4112) > Program > Zones > Add New > Serial Number. Make sure the RF Type on the right-hand side is set to 5800. Then activate the sensor either by faulting it or triggering its cover tamper switch. The Lyric should beep to confirm that it received a signal transmission. Then activate the sensor a second time to have the Lyric display the Serial Number. The third activation will confirm the Serial Number and return you to the screen where you can configure the zone settings.

Programming the zone settings for the sensor is actually quite simple. Depending on how you enrolled the sensor, you may need to adjust the Loop Number. This is almost always the case if you enrolled the sensor by activating its tamper switch. Refer to the instruction manual for the 5800 Sensor to determine which Loop Number to use.

The two (2) Zone Descriptors and the Device Type serve as the name for the sensor. You should choose a name that will help you identify the sensor, e.g. "Front Bedroom Motion Sensor", "South Hallway Door", etc. The Response Type determines how the system responds when the sensor is faulted. See our list of Lyric Response Types for more info.

Alarm Report should be set to Yes if you want the system to report out through AlarmNet to a Central Station if the zone causes an alarm on the system. That is an essential component of alarm monitoring services. Chime is optional, and it has the panel emit any one of several available sounds when the zone is faulted. Supervision tells the panel to look for an RF check-in signal from the sensor periodically to ensure that it is online. Click Save in the bottom-right after you finish adjusting the settings.

Keep in mind that only uni-directional (one-way) sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series can be used with the Lyric. This leaves out bi-directional devices like the Honeywell 5800WAVE Siren, the Honeywell 5828 Keypad, and the Honeywell 5800RL Relay Module, so make sure you do not buy those for the Lyric. But you still have a lot of excellent sensors and security devices to choose from.

Below is a list of the Honeywell 5800 Sensors that you can use with the Honeywell Lyric:

Sensor Name	Notes
Honeywell 5800MINI	Door/Window sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5800PIR-RES	PIR motion sensor. Uses Loop 1. Coverage Area: 35' x 40'
Honeywell 5816	Door and window sensor. Loop 1 = Terminal Block for NC Contact Loop 2 = Reed Switch
Honeywell 5811	Door and window sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5800C2W	9-zone wired to wireless converter. Allows hardwired sensors to communicate with the Lyric as wireless devices. All zones use Loop 1 and a unique Serial Number ID.
Honeywell 5800CO	Carbon monoxide sensor. Loop 1 = CO Detection Loop 2 = End of Sensor Life (separate programming only required on TURBO and other V-Plex panels)
Honeywell 5800COMBO	Combination, smoke, heat, CO, and low-temperature sensor. Uses up to five (5) zones on the Lyric Panel. Has two (2) Serial Numbers for enrollment purposes. Loop 1, SN 1 = Smoke/Heat Detection Loop 2, SN 1 = Smoke/Heat Maintenance Loop 3, SN 1 = Low Temperature Detection Loop 1, SN 2 = CO Detection Loop 2, SN 2 = End of Sensor Life (separate programming required only on TURBO and other V-Plex panels)
Honeywell 5800FLOOD	Flood and temperature sensor. Loop 1 = Low Temperature Detection Loop 2 = High Temperature Detection Loop 3 = Flood Detection
Honeywell 5800MICRA	Recessed window sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5800PIR	PIR motion sensor. Loop 1 = Low Sensitivity Motion. Loop 2 = High Sensitivity Motion. Loop 3 = Low Temperature Detection Coverage Area: 35' x 40'
Honeywell 5800PIR-COM	Commercial PIR motion sensor. Loop 1 = Low Sensitivity Motion Loop 2 = High Sensitivity Motion Loop 3 = Low Temperature Detection Coverage Area: 60' x 80'
Honeywell 5800PIR-OD	Outdoor PIR motion sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5800PIR-OD2	Outdoor PIR motion sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5800RP	Wireless repeater for Honeywell 5800 Sensors. Does not require enrollment, but can be assigned a single zone for RF supervision, low-battery, AC loss, and RF jam detection. This is done using Serial Number 1 with Loop 1, with DIP Switch 2 set in the OFF position. Can also use up to four (4) separate zones for supervision when DIP Switch 2 is set to ON. This is required for UL installations.
Honeywell 5800RPS	Recessed door/window sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5800SS1	Shock sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5802MN	Medical alert button. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5802MN2	Medical alert button. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5802WXT	Panic button. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5802WXT-2	Panic button. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5806W3	Smoke detector. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5808W3	Smoke and heat detector. Loop 1 = Smoke & Heat Detection Loop 3 = Low Temperature Detection
Honeywell 5809	Fixed temperature and rate-of-rise heat detector. Uses Loop 1. Alarm occurs when the temperature exceeds 135 degrees Fahrenheit, or when the temperature rises more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit per minute.
Honeywell 5809FXT	Fixed temperature heat detector. Uses Loop 1. Alarm occurs when the temperature exceeds 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Honeywell 5809SS	Fixed temperature and rate-of-rise heat detector. Uses Loop 1. Alarm occurs at 135 degrees Fahrenheit or when the temperature rises more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit per minute.
Honeywell 5814	Door and window sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5815	Door and window sensor. Loop 1 = Terminal Block for NC Contact Loop 2 = Reed Switch
Honeywell 5816MN	Door and window sensor. Loop 1 = Terminal Block for NC Contact Loop 2 = Reed Switches
Honeywell 5816OD	Outdoor door and window sensor. Loop 1 = Terminal Block for NC Contact Loop 2 = Reed Switch
Honeywell 5817	Three (3) zone door and window sensor & transmitter. Loop 1 = NC or NO (DIP Switch Selectable) unsupervised. It does not use an End of Line Resistor (EOLR) Loop 2, 3 = NC Only. Both are unsupervised with no EOLR used
Honeywell 5817CBXT	Three (3) zone commercial transmitter. Loop 1 = Two (2) Terminals; Primary Loop supervised by 470k Ohm (yellow, purple, yellow, gold) EOLR. Resistor must ALWAYS be installed, even if Loop 1 is not programmed. If Loop 1 is used as a burglary zone, then Loop 4 must be programmed as a separate zone for Cover Tamper protection. Loop 2 = NC Reed Switch Loop 3 = Two (2) Terminals; NC Loop unsupervised, no EOLR required
Honeywell 5817XT	Three (3) zone door and window sensor & transmitter. Loop 1 = NC or NO (DIP Switch Selectable) unsupervised with no EOLR required Loop 2, 3 = Two (2) Terminal Blocks, NC Only
Honeywell 5818MNL	Recessed door and window sensor. Uses Loop 1. Not suitable for use in metal doors
Honeywell 5819	Three (3) zone shock processor. Loop 1 = NC for Inertia Style External Shock Sensor. This input provides a suitable fast loop response of from 1ms to 20ms, based on dip switch setting Loop 2 = Reed Switch Loop 3 = NC for Wired Contact, unsupervised with no EOLR required
Honeywell 5819S	Shock sensor and contact sensor. Loop 1 = Built-in Inertia Style Shock Sensor Loop 2 = Reed Switch Loop 3 = NC for Wired Contact
Honeywell 5819WHS	Three (3) zone shock processor. Loop 1 = NC, Built-in Inertia Style Shock Sensor Loop 2 = Reed Switch Loop 3 = NC for Wired Contact
Honeywell 5820L	Slimline door and window sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5822T	Garage tilt sensor. Loop 1 = NC for Wired Contact, unsupervised, no EOLR used Loop 3 = Tilt Switch
Honeywell 5834-2	Two (2) button key fob. Dual-button inputs allowed. Uses three (3) loops total, for a possible three (3) inputs. Can only be used with the Lyric in Low-Security Mode (Green LED)
Honeywell 5834-4	Four (4) button key fob. Dual-button inputs allowed. Uses two (2) Serial Numbers, which both use Loops 1, 2, 3, 4. Up to eight (8) inputs possible. Can only be used with the Lyric in Low-Security Mode (Green LED)
Honeywell 5834-4EN	Four (4) button key fob. Dual-button inputs allowed. Uses two (2) Serial Numbers, which both use Loops 1, 2, 3, 4. Up to eight (8) inputs possible. Can only be used with the Lyric in Low-Security Mode (Green LED)
Honeywell 5853	Glass break sensor. Uses Loop 1.
Honeywell 5869	Commercial panic switch. Uses Loop 1. Latches when tripped, key (provided) needed to reset it after it is tripped
Honeywell 5878	Six (6) button key fob. Uses two (2) Serial Numbers, which both use Loops 1, 2, 3, 4. Up to eight (8) inputs possible.
Honeywell 5898	Dual-tec motion sensor. Loop 1 = Low Sensitivity Motion Sensor. Pet immunity is available for this loop. 50lb or 100lb pet immunity, selectable via DIP Switch 1 Loop 2 = High Sensitivity Motion Sensor. Loop 3 = Temperature Sensor (High or Low, DIP Switch Selectable)

Hi DIYers! As you know, you can't have a security system without some sensors! Of course, with all the possible sensor types it can be overwhelming to decide which ones you really need for your system. While nearly every sensor type serves a purpose, these are the 5 we deem most crucial.

5. Glass Break Sensors

Glass break sensors are used to detect broken windows and other glass break events. These devices have built-in microphones, and they actively listen for the sound of breaking glass. Most glass break sensors utilize a dual-sound detection method. This means that the sensor must detect both the low-pitched thud of an object striking against the glass and the high-pitched shattering of the glass itself. This helps prevent false alarms. Glass break sensors are perfect for monitoring for forced entry into your home. You can even use a single glass break sensor to monitor multiple windows in the same room!

4. Environmental Sensors

Environmental sensors include devices like temperature sensors and flood sensors. These sensors monitor for unusual environmental conditions that likely indicate a problem. For example, a flood sensor will let your system know if there is a water leak that could lead to expensive water damage. Meanwhile, a temperature sensor will monitor for unusually high or low temperatures that indicate a broken HVAC system. There are also many environmental sensors that can perform dual functions and operate as both temperature and flood sensors.

3. Life-Safety Sensors

Life-safety sensors are used to monitor for life-threatening environmental conditions, such as a fire or an outbreak of carbon monoxide gas. These include devices like smoke and heat detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. There are also special combination CO and smoke detectors that can monitor for multiple types of life-safety conditions. Enrolling properly functioning life-safety sensors with your system can mean the difference between life and death. And for fires, you will be able to ensure a faster response if one occurs while you are away. These are a must-have for any system.

2. Motion Detection Sensors

Motion sensors are some of the most useful sensors you can add to your system. These devices alert the system upon detecting a change in infrared (IR) energy caused by movement. There are also some motion sensors that use microwave radar technology in addition to passive infrared (PIR). You can install motions inside your home as interior sensors to determine if anyone gains entry while you are away. They are perfect for detecting general activity and movement in areas where none should be present. There are even pet-immune motion sensors so that you won't need to worry about your pets setting them off. Just make sure you choose the installation area carefully.

1. Door & Window Contacts

Door and window contacts are the easiest to use and most effective sensors for any alarm system. They are used for letting your system know if someone opens up a door or window. These sensors usually consist of two parts, which are a sensor and a magnet. The sensor goes on the door or window frame, and the magnet goes on the moving part of the door or window. Opening the door or window will cause the magnet to become separated from the sensor. The sensor will detect this and alert the system. There are also recessed door and window sensors that allow for a more aesthetically- pleasing installation!

Remember, our goal at Alarm Grid is to set you up with the perfect security system for your needs. We also offer top-quality alarm monitoring services that are great for pairing with a new or existing alarm system. If you ever need help designing or using your security system, or if you want to learn more about our monitoring services, please reach out to us! We are best reached by email at support@alarmgrid.com. Or you may call us at (888) 818-7728 during our regular business hours of 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm Grid is happy to announce that Honeywell is releasing a brand new life-safety sensor, the 5800COMBO. This is an incredibly versatile device that includes three sensing capabilities in one package. The 5800COMOBO can detect fires with its smoke and heat sensing functions, and it can also detect the presence of life-threatening carbon monoxide. This makes it the first ever all-in-one life-safety product from Alarm Grid. It is the perfect solution for any user who wants to receive both fire and CO protection using one convenient device.

The 5800COMBO is designed for use with any LYNX Touch Panel, any VISTA Panel (with a wireless receiver) and the new Honeywell Lyric Controller. It can also interface with the 2GIG GC3 and GC2 systems. The device is special, in that it is programmed with a security panel using two separate zones. One zone is used for smoke detection, and the other is used for carbon monoxide detection. Both zones will use their own unique 7-digit serial number. The serial number for the carbon monoxide will be one digit greater. For example, if the serial for the smoke detector is 3333333, then the serial for the carbon monoxide detector will be 3333334.

The smoke sensor for the 5800COMBO operates in a very unique manner. The smoke sensor scans the environment for any airborne smoke particles. However, the device will not sound an alarm just by detecting smoke. Instead, a second sensor will need to verify the fire. There are three different methods that the 5800COMBO can use for confirmation. The first method is that the heat sensor for the device can also activate to confirm the fire. Any temperature over 135 degrees Fahrenheit will set off the device's heat sensor. The second method is for the device's built-in infrared (IR) sensor to detect the flickering glow of flames. Finally, the device's CO detector can go off. This dual-verification process is great for preventing false fire alarms due to to things like kitchen activity or indoor smoking. By law, the CO sensor will sound an alarm upon detecting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

One great aspect of the 5800COMBO is that it is a fully UL-listed device that is capable of requesting dispatch from a central monitoring station. This means that a user of the 5800COMBO may be eligible for a discount on their homeowner's insurance premium. These possible discounts typically vary between different insurance companies and locations. We suggest speaking with your insurance provider to find out more about any possible discounts.

The 5800COMBO will be available purchase from the Alarm Grid site starting tomorrow, April 10, 2017. We wholeheartedly recommend the device for anyone who needs both fire and CO detection with their alarm system.

Hi DIYers! Today we are reviewing the brand-new 5800COMBO from Honeywell. The 5800COMBO is a versatile life-safety sensor that is great for any alarm system. It offers smoke, heat and carbon monoxide, all in one convenient device. This reduces the number of life-safety sensors a user will need to install. The device was very reliable in tests, and we have already received great reviews from end users. It definitely lives up to the quality one would expect from a Honeywell sensor. We recommend the sensor for anyone who is starting fresh with new life-safety devices.

The 5800COMBO is a great addition to the Honeywell 5800 Series of wireless sensors. These sensors are easy to program, and they work with a large number of alarm systems. Any LYNX Touch, Lyric Controller, 2GIG GC3 and 2GIG GC2 can use this sensor. The sensor can also interface with Honeywell VISTA Systems using a wireless receiver. But Qolsys System owners must look elsewhere for a wireless life-safety device.

The sensor programs with an alarm system in a somewhat unique way. It requires two wireless zones on the system. One zone is for smoke and heat detection, and the other is for CO detection. Both of these zones use their own 7-digit serial number. The final digit of the CO zone is one digit higher than the fire zone. For example, let's say that the fire zone is 2222222. In that case, the CO zone is 2222223.

Each sensor on the device has shown in testing to operate in a consistent manner. The 5800COMBO smoke sensor will trigger after detecting a small amount of smoke. But this will not set off an alarm on its own. Instead a second trigger must go off for an alarm to occur. This can occur in one of three ways. The first way is for the heat sensor to activate. This will happen if the sensor detects a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The second way is for the device's built-in infrared (IR) sensor to detect a fire. The IR sensor will look for the flickering glow of flames. It will trigger an alarm upon sensing this type IR energy. Finally, an alarm will always occur if the sensor detects carbon monoxide.

All this makes the 5800COMBO a very balanced device. You won't have to worry about the sensor triggering any false alarms. That said, it will still activate in the event of a real emergency. Our extensive testing process proved this. One minor concern about the device is that it is a very large sensor. The bulky size will put off some users. But the fact that the 5800COMBO serves dual purposes more than makes up for this. The device also features two prominent test buttons for easy testing. We recommend testing this device on a yearly basis.

The 5800COMBO is UL-listed and CP-01 approved. It can request central station dispatch in the event of an emergency. By installing one, a user can receive a discount on their homeowner's insurance. The amount of this discount will vary between different states and insurance companies. A user should speak with their insurance company to find out more about a possible discount. This is another huge benefit of owning a 5800COMBO.

Alarm Grid completely endorses the 5800COMBO as an outstanding life-safety device. It is one of the most versatile sensors we have ever seen. The device is reliable, and you can count on it in any emergency situation. False alarms are very unlikely to occur, and the insurance benefits you can receive are great. If you already have a standalone smoke or CO detector, then the 5800COMBO isn't for you. In that case, it makes more sense to get a sensor that only includes the function you need. But if you are starting from scratch, the 5800COMBO is second to none. The ability to receive both fire and CO protection in one device in phenomenal. And with the device's reliability and proven performance, you cannot go wrong.

The 5800COMBO is available for sale on our website right now. It is the perfect addition to almost any alarm system. Protect your home and your loved ones with this top-quality Honeywell sensor.

Last week at ISC West, Honeywell received a SIA new product award for the newly released 5800COMBO. The Security Industry Association (SIA) rewards products that balance industry innovation with false alarm prevention. The 5800COMBO encapsulates this criteria almost perfectly. This is the first professionally monitored, fully UL listed wireless heat, smoke and CO combination detector in the industry. This feat alone is quite an accomplishment. The technology packed into the device makes this product even more deserving of this award.

Honeywell did not just integrate standard smoke, heat and CO detection into a single detector housing. They did much more. The individual technologies inside the COMBO are fairly standard. Photoelectric smoke detection, fixed temp (135F degrees) heat detection and electrochemical CO sensing. There is a new infrared (IR) technology designed to pick up ambient light levels and flame flickers. Also the CO detector does have a longer than average life expectancy of 10 years. Everything else is fairly common across other non-monitored combination detectors on the market. So what is it that makes the 5800COMBO so special?

(Photo: Honeywell's booth at ISC West just after the award was given by SIA.)

There are 3 programmable zones: smoke (loop 1 with serial), low temp (loop 3 with serial) and CO (loop 1 with serial + 1 on last digit). The low temp and CO zones are standard and only rely on a single sensing element to trip that zone on the alarm system. The smoke zone is much more advanced since this is the most common zone type for false alarms on these types of life safety detectors. This is especially the case in residential environments. It is the "multi-criteria algorithm" that sets this product apart. Yes Honeywell did it again and engineered a state of the art sensor.

The smoke zone requires two of the four sensing elements to be tripped in order to trigger a fire alarm at the alarm system and dial out to a central station. The four elements are photoelectric smoke detection, fixed high temp, CO and the new IR technology mentioned earlier. The first element must be photoelectric smoke detection. Then any of the other three elements in combination with smoke detection will trigger an immediate alarm and report if the system is monitored. If there is only airborne particulate detected the COMBO requires at least 5 minutes of alarm level contact before triggering.

This dual technology of sorts makes the 5800COMBO extremely versatile and less prone to false alarms. That means better protection for your property and more importantly life safety for anyone within the protected premise. False alarms are not only an issue for local authorities. End users are seeing increasingly higher fines per false alarm across the country. That means by using devices like the COMBO will potentially save you money in the event that your local authorities deliver fines for false dispatches.

All in all, we are very excited about the added value of the 5800COMBO to the Honeywell 5800 series line up. The barrier to monitoring smoke, heat and CO just lowered with the introduction of this simple to install, multi-faceted product. We believe that every Alarm Grid customer should have every form of life safety equipped in this device. If you do not already we recommend adding it today!

Note: This is a 5800 series wireless sensor that requires a compatible RF receiver. To confirm panel compatibility you can contact us at support@alarmgrid.com. There is a list of panels mentioned in the product description as well.

The Alarm Grid team is proud to announce some very exciting news fresh off our journey to Las Vegas at ISC West. For those already familiar with our DIY platform you will be happy to hear that our existing alarm system brands, Honeywell and 2GIG have made some giants leaps in technology. We would like to welcome those that are new to our DIY community! ISC West is a larger than life convention with incredible innovation announcements from our core alarm brands. Where to start? Let's start with our foundation, Honeywell.

Honeywell makes excellent alarm equipment but there is steep competition now when it comes to software on Total Connect 2.0. Ahem, Alarm.com... Thankfully Honeywell came through at ISC West and showcased their new line of HD AlarmNet security cameras. Yes, HD cams that will tie in with your existing TC account. Check out our Lyric HD camera press release.

Another product that Honeywell released at ISC is the 5800COMBO. The first wireless heat, smoke and CO detector that will communicate with any 5800 series receiver. That means the Lynx Touch series, Lyric series and any VISTA series panel with a compatible 5881 RF receiver. Similar to the 5808W3 the heat detector utilizes both fixed temperature (135F degrees) and rate-of-rise heat detection (15F degrees within 1 minute) along with a photoelectric smoke detector. The integrated CO detector makes this combo unit the ideal multi-functional device. Since it does not use the SiX series RF technology it is not encrypted. Honeywell plans on releasing a SiX combo detector at some point in the future. Check out our blog post: 5800COMBO Wins SIA New Product Showcase Award

Those with a Lyric Controller should be psyched to learn that the Samsung Smartthings Z-Wave hub is now compatible as a secondary controller. There are some very unique features to the way the Lyric and Smart Things hub interact as a “primary” and “secondary” controller. The Lyric seems to be learning into SmartThings as a virtual primary of sorts. That is a word I just made up by the way. The point is that the Lyric can be learned into the hub and all devices are shifted to it. The difference is that the Lyric can still include devices after it is paired and shift these automatically to the SmartThings hub. Normally "secondary" controllers can control devices from a primary but only the primary can learn devices. The relationship between the Lyric and SmartThings breaks this general rule. If you have a Lyric and are looking for a more advanced platform to expand your automation this may be the one for you! We have a FAQ on how to pair them on our website.

Enough about Honeywell. Nortek the parent company of 2GIG made some lofty announcements at ISC. We will briefly touch them here and get up some more details FAQs and blog posts shortly. First off, the GC3 has had more firmware updates in the past couple months than it has since the release! Exciting stuff already available and even more to come...

Firmware version 3.0.1 and 3.0.2 are officially available. V3.0.1 added support for the XCVR3-GC3 900MHz transceiver and the IMAGE2 Alarm.com image sensor. While this was exciting the 3.0.2 now supports future LTE communications, Schlage Z-Wave door locks and local WIFI technology. The LTE communicator has not been released yet. We will blog post when we have it available. Should be soon! "Local" WIFI in this case means that it will speak locally to a touchscreen keypad but not offer remote communications to a server. The touchscreen keypad is called the SP1 and it is a slim tablet design that will offer simple security control. It is slated to be released this summer. We will be getting up the V3.0.2 firmware on our website ASAP!

Rumors of a 3.1.0 firmware release are the real buzz. The DW40 push button bypass door sensor will begin logging bypass events with this update. More importantly, broadband WIFI support and a larger fully functional touchscreen keypad that supports full security features and automation control as well. This will be called the SP2 and seems to be the exact same physical design as the GC3 panel. It even has the cellular door which will never be used. They must have done this for production cost efficiency purposes. Although it could have just been a GC3 at ISC West since they did not have the plastics made yet. Who knows. The SP2 will be a sweet addition to the Go!Control family nonetheless.

(Top: SP2 Bottom: SP1)

We got our eyes on two completely new alarm system platforms from 2GIG. The Rely and Vario systems will offer two new vertical business models. The Rely panel will perfectly suit customers looking for an affordable, simple cellular alarm system. It is fully wireless and supports up to 14 of the 2GIG 345MHz wireless sensors (No 5800 series Honeywell like the GC panels). The Vario is a wired, bus based alarm system that supports up to 4 partitions. Prox tag keypads looks super slick! This will be more of a commercial system but will certainly be good for pre-wired residential environments as well.

Honestly Alarm.com has released so many products and third party integrations in the past couple of years I was little disappointed by their announcements at ISC West 2017. The flip side to that coin is the approach of other dealers to announce new products that do not reach the market for another year. I may prefer Alarm.com's strategy to simply push market technologies at full speed all year long. Release products when they are ready regardless of conventions like ISC. With all that said, Alarm.com does have some fun new toys.

Alarm.com currently offers water management tools in the form of flood protection and Z-Wave water valve control. However they announced adding irrigation control now. The Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller and the Rain Bird Irrigation Controller will be offered into the long list of third party integrators. Yes you will be able to schedule your irrigation from your security app from across the world. Alarm.com is relentlessly tackling every vertical market and inviting them into their ecosystem. The final result is an incredibly versatile offering for customers with a wide range of different protocols, technologies and brands.

Alarm.com also announced a partnership with Legrand's On-Q smart audio system. Yes they are now involving AV! Hoping for a Sonos integration in the future. My hopes were not met with any solid responses so don't get your hopes up for anything too soon. Anyways the Legrand integration offers the first audio device to be immersed into automation scenes. Set schedules or build rules to trigger the audio in your home or business. The Legrand system utilizes a network of twisted pair cable like CAT5 or CAT6 to connect the different amps and peripheral speakers. This makes it easy to install with a prewired home.

Lastly the Alarm.com team showed us the new slimline doorbell camera. Manufactured by SkyBell this product fits a specific need for those with small spaces to replace an existing doorbell. The existing SkyBell HD is already available and due to its larger size offers a1080P resolution. The new slim design bumps it down to 720P but it still looks great.