How to Wire a Home Security System

Home security systems can be expensive, but if you are able to do most of the installation work yourself, you can save money in that area. You can then use the money you would have had to pay for someone to do the wiring to buy a more expensive, better working home security system.The wiring is connected after the components—the sounder, and door and window switches—have been installed. This must be done first.

Wire
Knife or other wire-stripping tool
Staples
Wire clips
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the part of the room that is farthest away from the sounder.
- 2
  Locate the two-wire cord that is used for the entry-detection switch loop. Using the knife or wire stripping tool, expose about three-fourths inch of wire ends (there should be two).
- 3
  Attach each wire end to its own terminal screw—one that is located on either the switch or door cord.
- 4
  Route the cord to whatever device may be next in line (such as a magnet switch). DO NOT CUT THE CORD!
- 5
  At the next thing that you are going to be connecting wires to, cut the side-by-side conductors (this is the copper-colored wire) just a few inches down. Remember, you only want to cut the copper-colored wire.
- 6
  Expose about three-fourths inch of these wires (the copper-colored ones) and then connect to the terminal screws on the switch.
- 7
  Repeat Steps 2 to 6 for the remaining entry-detecting switches and fire sensors.
- 8
  Run the two-wire cord to where the sounder back plate is located.

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