How Do I Install a Magnet on French Doors?

You can install a door contact and its magnet on a French door by placing the magnet on the top part of the door and placing the contact on the door frame above it. You will want to place the magnet on the side that is opened first. The proper spacing for the magnet varies per contact.

Most double-sided French doors have a side that is opened first. This is generally the side with the handle. The magnet for the sensor should be place on this side at the very top of the door. Then the contact should be placed on the door frame directly above the magnet. Placing the contact on this non-moving part will help to ensure that it does not become damaged when the door is opened or closed. The contact should be within half an inch of the magnet. This will allow the door to be opened and closed as normal, and it will cause the sensor to activate whenever the door is opened.

Complete the following steps to install a door contact and magnet on a French door:

1. Mount the magnet. When using double stick tape to mount the magnet, be sure the area where it will be mounted is clean, and dry. Secure the magnet at the top of the moving part of the French door on the side that is opened first. The magnet can be secured with a double-sided adhesive or with screws.

2. Mount the sensor. Make sure the mounting location is clean and dry. Secure the contact on the door frame directly above the magnet. You can secure it using a double-sided adhesive or by screwing it into the door frame. The contact should be within half an inch of the magnet. Placing it too far away will cause the zone to always appear faulted, even when the door is closed.

The video below shows an installation of a 5811 on a French door. The 5811 is no longer available, and was replaced by the 5800MINI.

3. Test the sensor. Once your sensor has been installed and programmed with the panel, you can then test the device. With your door closed, set your security system to armed mode. Wait for the exit delay period to expire. Without setting off any other sensors (motions, other door contacts, etc.), open the door. If the zone faults and causes either an alarm, or an entry delay period to begin, then the sensor was installed and programmed correctly. You can then disarm your panel using the Master Code or any valid user code.

If the zone did not successfully fault, then you will need to troubleshoot the sensor.