How to Connect a Home Alarm System to a Light Switch

Security systems improve peace-of-mind for homeowners who spend a lot of time out of the house. Many do-it-yourself systems exist that rely on battery-powered sensors connected to the doors and windows. The sensors send signals to a master control panel, which activates an alarm in the event of a perimeter breach. The main panel should always be hooked up to the house's electrical system. While it is not recommended to hook up an alarm panel to a light switch because the panel can be turned off accidentally, you can if you need to.

Drill

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a hole in the wall where you want the alarm panel to go. The panel should be close enough to a main entrance so you get to it quickly but it should not be visible from an outside window.
- 2
  Feed the power cord for the panel into the hole and run it to the nearest light-switch powered electrical outlet. Attach the panel in front of the hole to cover it up. Some panels attach via adhesive while others have a mounting plate that screws into the wall, depending on your model.
- 3
  Add a second hole next to the wall outlet and pull the power plug out. Insert the plug into the outlet. The panel now gets turned off and on with the light switch. Some outlets only have one plug that is light-switch controlled so verify the plug is connected to the correct one.

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