ᐅ Reed switch for window alarm systems. How have you approached this?

Hello

I would like to hear your opinion: The question is whether reed switches should be installed at the top or bottom of the window. Our current thinking is to install them at the top. Why?

- The alarm system detects the window as open when it is tilted, which I consider safer

- When no one is home, all windows should be closed anyway (i.e., not tilted), so I want to be able to detect this window position

- Due to the mechanical ventilation system, most windows remain closed even at night

- If someone (e.g., our son) wants to sleep with an open window despite the ventilation system, I assume that this can be manually excluded from the alarm system, allowing the system to still be armed at night

- I also assume that certain windows (e.g., bedrooms, children’s rooms) can be permanently excluded from monitoring until further notice. It should notify me that the window is open, but still allow the system to be armed

Additional note: I do not want to install two contacts per window or position the magnet on the locking mechanism.

How have you solved this?

Best regards

In our system (self-built), the contacts were installed at the bottom. This allows the windows to be tilted open while the system remains armed and this window can still be monitored. Additionally, it is possible to completely exclude each contact from monitoring, so that, for example, you can fully open windows in the room you are currently in while the rest of the house remains protected by the system. However, I cannot say whether this is possible with commercial systems.

Or alternatively, two reed switches on the window. This way, you can distinguish between tilted and fully open. Another option would be an EnOcean window handle, for example from Hoppe. It also sends you information about tilted or open positions based on the handle position. Unfortunately, the handle cannot detect if a window has been forced open. However, presence detectors should cover that. In addition, this setup allows you to detect if the patio door is simply ajar but has been closed using the handle.

Good luck

Thank you for your input. As I mentioned, I want to go with the option of one contact and find the best solution (for me) based on that.

- Since we have a ventilation system, the window will probably be tilted open less often.

- If the contact is at the bottom, I won't even notice if the window is tilted open. If it’s at the top, at least it's indicated, and I can decide whether to activate the alarm anyway or go back into the room and close the window.

- If the window is completely excluded from monitoring because it’s tilted open, this would mostly apply to living areas during the night (e.g., bedrooms), all of which are on the upper floor, where security is less of a concern (more so in rooms on the ground floor where people don’t stay).

That would be my approach.

And where do you see the point of excluding tilted windows from monitoring?
You yourself noted that this rarely happens, so if it does, it is intentionally and briefly. You would then only be monitoring the ventilation but not the intended break-in.

I always thought window monitoring was done with a "ring" that triggers the alarm when broken. How can you exclude individual windows?

We are getting Winkhaus HighControl alarm contacts.