How to Add Wireless Sensors to Your Hardwired Security System

Decide which entryway to protect with a wireless security sensor. For example, you may want to use the wireless sensor on a backyard shed's window that would be difficult to hard-wire to the security system. Open the window. Screw the sensor plate to the underside of the window with wood screws using a Phillips screwdriver.

Place the sensor plate receiver on the windowsill, directly beneath the sensor plate. Screw the sensor plate receiver to the windowsill with wood screws using the Phillips screwdriver.

Open the battery compartment lid on the back of the wireless sensor transmitter that is wired to the sensor plate receiver. Insert the compatible battery or batteries into the battery compartment. Close the battery compartment lid. Place the transmitter against the wall beneath the windowsill. Screw wood screws through the holes in the sides of the transmitter and into the wall using the Phillips screwdriver.

Go to the control panel controlling the hard-wired security system. Open the battery compartment lid on the back of the wireless sensor receiver. Insert the compatible battery or batteries into the battery compartment. Close the battery compartment lid.

Cut two 8-inch lengths of 12-gauge electric wire from an electric wire spool using a utility knife. Strip 1/2-inch of insulation from the ends of both wires with wire strippers.

Loosen the two screws on the top edge of the receiver with a Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Wind an exposed, or stripped, end of each wire around the screws. Tighten the screws.

Place the receiver against the wall by the control panel. Screw wood screws through the holes in the sides of the receiver and into the wall using the Phillips screwdriver.

Enter the password into the control panel to disarm the security system. Open the case of the control panel; this requires either removing screws with the Phillips screwdriver or first releasing a locking latch, which might have a padlock on it that opens with a key. Locate the "Input" section inside the control panel's casing. Loosen the two screws on a vacant part of the "Input" section using the Phillips screwdriver. Wind the exposed free ends of the two electric wires around the two screws. Tighten the screws, and then close the control panel case.

Return to the transmitter. Press the "Sync" button on the side of the transmitter once. Return to the control panel. Press the "Sync" button on the side of the receiver once to connect the transmitter and receiver.

Navigate through the menu settings of the control panel until you come to the "Input" menu. Select the Input menu, and use the method specific to your security system to "tell" the control panel that a sensor now connects to the input that was previously vacant. Return to the home menu. Rearm the control panel by entering the password.