GE Door/Window Contacts vs. Honeywell 5800 Door/Window Contacts

GE Door and Window Contacts operate at a different wireless frequency than the Honeywell 5800 Door and Window Contacts. This makes them compatible with a completely different set of alarm panels. The GE Contacts operate at 319.5 MHz. The Honeywell 5800 Contacts operate at 345 MHz.

There is one big difference between wireless door and window contact sensors from GE and the wireless door and window contact sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series. That is the wireless frequency that they operate. That determines which security systems they can be used with. In order for a panel to support a set of wireless sensors, it must have a wireless receiver that can accept signals at that wireless frequency. To support GE Sensors, the wireless receiver must accept wireless 319.5 MHz signals. And to support Honeywell 5800 Sensors, the wireless receiver must accept wireless 345 MHz signals.

The GE Door and Window Sensors (which are also known as Interlogix Door and Window Sensors) are designed for use with wireless Interlogix Security Systems. But they are quite versatile, and they can really be used with any system that accepts the 319.5 MHz signals. These sensors are typically auto-enrolled by putting the panel into its wireless enrollment mode and then activating the tamper switch for the sensor by removing its back cover.

Some of the compatible systems for 319.5 MHz Interlogix/GE Sensors are listed below:

• Interlogix Simon XT
• Interlogix Simon XTi
• Interlogix Simon XTi-5
• Original Qolsys IQ Panel 2
• Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus 319.5 MHz Model
• Interlogix Concord 4

The Honeywell 5800 Door and Window Sensors were originally built with the Honeywell VISTA and Honeywell LYNX Touch Systems in mind. But they are generally pretty versatile sensors, and they can be used with nearly system that supports the 345 MHz frequency. These sensors are auto-enrolled by putting the panel into its wireless enrollment mode and then faulting the sensor to transmit a signal to the panel. Most Honeywell Systems will require three (3) device faults for the sensor to auto-enroll successfully.

One important aspect of the Honeywell 5800 Sensors is that you need to set the proper Loop Number when enrolling the sensor. The correct Loop Number is usually set automatically when the sensor is auto-enrolled. Some Honeywell 5800 Series Door and Window Contacts may have multiple Loop Numbers, and you can enroll the same sensor to multiple zones using different Loop Numbers. By doing this, each programmed zone will perform a different function. An example of this is the Honeywell 5816, which uses Loop 2 to function as a standard door and window contact, and Loop 1 to function as a wireless transmitter for a single Normally Closed (NC) contact.

Some of the compatible systems for 345 MHz Honeywell 5800 Sensors are listed below:

Most VISTA Panels (added wireless receiver required)

• LYNX Plus L3000
• LYNX Touch L5100
• LYNX Touch L5200
• LYNX Touch L5210
• LYNX Touch L7000
• Resideo Lyric Alarm System
• 2GIG Go!Control GC2
• 2GIG GC3
• IQ Panel 2 Plus 345 MHz Model

Other than the wireless frequency, there really isn't much difference between the Interlogix/GE Door and Window Sensors and the Honeywell 5800 Series Door and Window Sensors. Yeah, they have different designs, but their manner of action is the same. These devices consist of a larger sensor and a smaller magnet. The sensor is mounted on (surface-mounted) or inside (recessed) the door or window frame. The magnet is is mounted on (surface-mounted) or inside (recessed) the moving part of the door or window. For proper operation, the magnet should be in very close proximity (usually within 0.5 inches) of the sensor when the door or window is closed. Ideally, they should be in direct contact. Hence the name, "contacts".

Opening the door or window will cause the magnet to become separated from the sensor. This will release a small metal reed switch inside the sensor. The sensor will then know to transmit a wireless signal to the panel. This will let the system know that the door or window has been opened. The system will respond based on the programming settings for the associated zone. The fault on the panel will be displayed until the door or window is closed. This manner of operation is the same for both Interlogix/GE Contacts and Honeywell 5800 Contacts.