How Do Wireless Sensors Connect to a Honeywell Alarm System?

Wireless sensors connect to a Honeywell Alarm System at a frequency of 345 MHz in most cases. The system will need to have a compatible wireless receiver to support these sensors. Some Honeywell Systems come with a wireless receiver built-in, while others need to have one added separately.

Traditionally, Honeywell has been associated with wireless sensors that operate at a radio frequency of 345 MHz. This is the frequency used by Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors. Nearly every Honeywell System with a wireless receiver can support these 5800 Series Sensors. The Honeywell Lyric Controller and the Honeywell LYNX Touch Panels all include their own built-in wireless receiver for supporting the 345 MHz sensors. These sensors use uni-directional communication, and they will alert the system whenever they are activated. The system will then respond based on the programming settings for the zone and whether or not the system is armed.

Additionally, the Honeywell Lyric Controller can also support Honeywell SiX Series Sensors and 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors. The SiX Series Sensors are bi-directional, and they communicate at 2.4 GHz WIFI. They are designed exclusively for use with the Honeywell Lyric System. Unlike the standard 5800 Series Sensors, the SiX Series Sensors can actually receive signals from the panel. This allows these sensors to utilize 128-bit AES encryption for added security.

Meanwhile, the 2GIG 345 MHz operate similarly to the 5800 Series Sensors, but a special code in their transmission signals prevents them from working with the standard Honeywell wireless receiver. But the Lyric has an upgraded receiver that allows the system to support these devices. Neither the SiX Series Sensors nor the 2GIG Sensors can be used with any of the Honeywell LYNX Touch Panels. The only wireless sensors that can be used normally with the LYNX Touch Systems are the 5800 Series Sensors.

As for the hardwired Honeywell VISTA Panels, they do not come with a built-in wireless receiver for supporting wireless devices. Instead, one has to be added separately. This can come in the form of a special add-on keypad, such as the 6160RF or 6150RF. Honeywell also offers standalone wireless receivers for the VISTA Systems. Some examples are the 5881ENM, 5881ENL and 5881ENH. There's also the 5883H Transceiver Module for devices that require bi-directional communication.

Most wireless sensors can be learned-in with a Honeywell Panel in a similar manner. The system should have some type of wireless enrollment mode for learning-in these sensors. You will typically need to provide the Installer Code for the system to access this mode (most Honeywell Systems have a default Installer Code of 4112). With the system placed in this mode, activate the wireless sensor three times to learn it in. The sensor's Serial Number should be displayed on the screen to confirm that it has been learned-in. You will then be able to configure the settings for the wireless zone.