Should I Put a Wireless Receiver Inside of a Beige, Metal Alarm System Cabinet?

Yes, you can put a wireless receiver inside of a beige, metal alarm security system cabinet. Most of these cabinets have a place where a wireless receiver can be installed. The antennas for the wireless receiver will stick out from the top of the metal cabinet so that communication won't be interrupted.

The metal cabinets that are used with hardwired security systems are designed to protect their circuit boards and hardwired connections from damage. They are also designed to make security systems less prone to being tampered with by others. These cabinets also organize systems, and they allow the panel to be somewhat more contained in one convenient location. That is why most hardwired security systems arrive in this type of box.

When a user adds a wireless receiver to their hardwired security system, they are doing so because they plan on using wireless sensors. These sensors will need to communicate with the system using RF communication signals. Ideally, the user will want the communication path between their wireless sensors and the wireless receiver to be as strong as possible. This involves maintaining an open and direct path between the wireless sensors and the wireless receiver if feasible.

A wireless receiver that is installed in a metal security cabinet will have its antennas sticking out from the top of the cabinet. This will allow the receiver to maintain a strong connection with any wireless security sensors that are used with the system. The antennas for the wireless receiver must be inserted through the holes in the top of the cabinet. They will pass through the right-hand terminals at the top of the receiver's printed circuit board. This will prevent the metal cabinet itself from disrupting the wireless communication signal. Two grounding lugs are used to keep the wireless receiver held securely in place inside the cabinet. These ground lugs also ensure proper signal reception for the wireless receiver.

Please note that only standalone wireless receivers are placed inside metal alarm cabinets. Keypads that double as wireless receivers, such as the Honeywell 6160RF Keypad, should be mounted outside these cabinets. This makes it easier for an end user to quickly access their keypad. We recommend placing the keypad in an open, central location so that it can easily communicate with wireless security sensors.

Also, any of the Honeywell panels that support a polling loop, such as the Vista-40, Vista-50, Vista-128BPT, etc. do not support installing the receiver inside the alarm cabinet. The processor in these panels is noisy enough to interfere with wireless reception, therefore, when using those panels, the receiver must be installed at least 10 feet from the alarm panel.