How to Wire a Contact Alarm

Decide on the door or window that will be alarmed. Place the magnetic passive contact sensor against the bottom edge of the window or against the bottom edge of the door. Screw the sensor into the window or door using wood screws and a Phillips screwdriver.

Place the magnetic active contact sensor on the windowsill or edge of the door frame, opposite the passive contact sensor. Screw the active contact sensor in the windowsill or door frame using wood screws and a Phillips screwdriver.

Loosen the two screws on the active contact sensor using a Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Wind a wire from the wire cable around each screw. Tighten the screws.

Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off the ends of the two wires at one end of the wire cable using wire strippers. Run the wire cable along the wall's baseboard until you come to the room where you will be placing the alarm control panel.

Staple the wire cable to the baseboard with clamp staples using a staple gun.

Place the alarm control panel on a table or mount it to the wall with wood screws using the Phillips screwdriver. Loosen the input screws on the top or back of the panel--depending on the make--using the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver.

Cut the wire cable off the spool with a wire cutters. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off the ends of the two wires at the end of the wire cable using wire strippers.

Wind the two wires from the wire cable around a pair of input screws. Tighten the screws.

Turn on the alarm control panel using a switch or by plugging its power cord into a wall outlet (depending on the make). Enter the default password to enter the configuration menu since this is the first time it is being used.

Follow the menu prompts to configure the alarm control panel so that it recognizes that there is a contact alarm sensor connected to the door or window. Return to the main menu. Enter the password to arm the system.