Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Install a Security Device
Sad to say, but it doesn't take more than reading the headlines of your local newspaper to make you concerned about the security of your home. That alone has made the home security business a growth industry. As electronic gadgets become increasingly smaller and less expensive, companies are able to manufacture inexpensive wireless security system that can be easily installed by the average homeowner.

These systems are easy to install because most of them use small radio transmitters to link a remote intrusion sensor to a main control unit instead of running wires. These transmitters can be wired to several sensors and can be mounted in unobtrusive areas.

With this type system, all you have to deal with are the short wires leading from the sensors at doors and windows and the transmitter. That's what this project is all about - hiding the wires to make a security system barely noticeable. You can cut a mortise for the magnetic sensor and drill a concealment hole for sensor wires that will make the job look like a professional installation. And it takes less than 30 minutes additional time at each door or window and some clever carpentry skills you can quickly master.

Getting Ready

We installed a wireless system called REFLEX manufactured by Heath/Zenith, which uses small magnetic door/window sensor. These sensors have 2 parts: a switch body with a set of thin wires attached to it and a movable magnet. The body of the sensor is mounted on the door frame or window casing and the magnet goes on the door or window sash. If either is opened, the magnet moves away from the sensor body and the internal switch opens, alerting the transmitter.

To make the installation look neater and be less obtrusive, we installed the body of the sensor in a shallow mortise in the door or window casing. Then we drilled a hole through the casing to route the wires through the casing. To do this, you need a sharp 1/4-in. wood chisel and a 3/8-in. diameter 8-in. or longer electrician's drill bit. Everything else is supplied by the manufacturer.

Each security system comes with a complete installation manual. The carpentry tricks we're suggesting will work with any system that uses magnetic sensors. Follow the installation manual provided with the system you chose. After you have everything planned out and all the modules are working, then go back and conceal the wires.

Here's How

To install a magnetic sensor and route the wires to the transmitter, here's what's involved. Locate and check the function of the sensor and the system and mark its location on the door or window casing. Trace around its perimeter with a sharp pencil and then remove the sensor.

With a sharp 1/4-in. wood chisel, remove the wood from the outlined area to a depth of about 1/8-in. First, make a series of parallel closely spaced cuts down the length of the outline. Try to make the cuts the same depth. Then go back and remove the wood chips and smooth the bottom of the mortise.

Place the body of the sensor in the mortise and check its fit. Adjust the depth of the mortise so the sensor is straight. Then drill a 3/8-in. hole through the door or window casing beginning in the center of the mortise. Thread the sensor wires through the hole and push the sensor body into position in the mortise. You may have to chisel out some more wood in the center of the mortise to make room for the wires so they can pass under the sensor. Put the sensor back in position and use it as a template to drill the pilot holes for the mounting screws. Then secure the sensor with the screws provided.

Install the magnet half of the sensor opposite the sensor body on the door or window sash. This magnet must be mounted on the movable part of a door or window and be moved far enough from the sensor body to open the switch when the door or window is opened wide enough for someone to pass. Install it with the screws or foam self-sticking strips provided.

Lead the sensor wires along the top of the door or window casing and hold them in place with insulated staples placed every 6-in. or so.

You can attach several sensors to a single transmitter. Splice on longer wires to the leads of the sensor switches and then route the wires along the top of the door or window casing, over or behind cabinets or even behind the baseboard. The time spent concealing the wires will be paid back by creating a clean looking area without a lot of wires running across the woodwork.

Materials, Supplies, Tools: motion sensor, receiver unit, 3/8-in. 8-in.drill bit, electric drill, masuring tape, 1/4-in. wood chisel


written by the editors of HouseNet
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