Suggested Installation of Alarm Screens for Side Sliding Windows
Step 1: With the window screen removed, drill a 9/64″ hole from the top inside corner
of the outside screen channel to the inside of the window. Drill from the outside
to the inside on an upward, inward angle as shown above.
Step 2: Feed the alarm screen lead wire through the hole until just enough wire remains
to lie taut in the outside channel when the screen is in place. See dotted line.
Step 3: With the alarm screen in place, from inside of the house, open the window and mark
the location of the reed switch. Note: Always install the alarm screen with the rubber
spline facing inward.
Step 4: Remove the alarm screen and drill two 3/8″ holes in the side screen channel; one on each
side of the location of the reed switch. From center to center, the holes should be 1¼” apart.
Install the provided magnets in the holes with the opposite (attracting) poles out.
Note: A surface mounted magnet can be used if there is adequate space between the screen and window.
Suggested Installation of Alarm Screens for Double Hung Windows
Pre-wiring – There are two popular methods used to pre-wire for the installation of alarm screens into double hung windows.
Method #1 – Pre-Wiring To the Top of Screen Channel
Figure 1 | Figure 2 | Figure 3 |
Method 1: The first method is to bring your alarm circuit wires to the window opening from the top. Since most double hung windows have a channel at the top for the screen to fit into, we recommend bringing the alarm circuit wires into the top channel. (See Figure #1) By using a Pin Lead connector and slotting the top edge of the screen frame, (See Figure #2) the wires can be completely hidden down inside the screen.
Method #2 – Pre-Wiring Between the Screen and the Sash
Method 2: The second method used is to bring your circuit to the bottom of the window between the sash and the screen. (See Figure above) Using this method, the wiring will be exposed. An Amp plug is normally used with a flush mounting plate on either the bottom sill or the side of the window. The mating half of the Amp Plug needs to come out on the spline side of the screen frame. Note: It is recommended to always install double hung window screens with the spline facing in towards the house. This helps prevent tampering with the spline in the screen and also helps protect against weathering.
Reed Switch Location
We recommend a reed switch be installed on the bottom of the screen since most screens are removed from the bottom first. An additional reed switch can be installed on the top for extra protection. You can use surface mounted magnets or recessed magnets with or without the housings. Note: If using a single recessed magnet, make sure to offset the magnet to one side or the other of the reed switch. Do not center it under the switch or it will not pull in properly. Also when using recessed magnets make sure to use some caulk to prevent any possible leaking.
Suggested Installation of Alarm Screens for Casement Windows
Pre-Wiring
There are many ways to install alarm screens into casement windows. You can bring your alarm circuit wires to the window opening from the top or bottom depending on the amount of space in the attic or basement. However, keep in mind that if you’re trying to hide all the wires, then you must bring your wires into the track that the screen goes into first when installing the screen.
Figure 1 | Figure 2 | Figure 3 |
The standard plug connector that is used on casement windows is the Pin Lead. The Pin Lead is a small in-line plug that can be hidden inside the frame of the screen. (See figure #1) It’s also small enough so that when exposed, it is aesthetically pleasing. A second type of plug that is sometimes used when the wires are exposed is the Amp Plug. The Amp Plug is a square plastic plug that can be used with or without a flush mounting plate. (See figure #3) One-half of the amp plug is recessed into the sill with a flush mounting plate holding it in place. This leaves a nice looking plug receptacle for the screen plug.
Exposed Wiring
If you’re not concealing all the wires, then your alarm circuit wires can be exposed on the inside of the house between the screen frame and the edge of the window frame. In this case you will want the Pin lead or Amp Plug to come out on the face side of the screen. (See figure #2)
Concealed Wiring
If you are going to try and hide all the wiring, then the Pin Lead needs to come out on the side edge of the screen frame. The frame needs to be slotted so that the Pin Lead can be hidden inside the screen frame. (See figure #1) If you’re using this method of wiring, then it is very important to pre-wire the circuit wires so that they are in the screen track that the screen goes into first when installing it back into the window. This will prevent the wires from being pinched between the screen frame and the window frame while installing the alarm screen. Example: If the screen goes into the top track first, then you must wire to the top track. If the screen goes into the bottom track first, then you must wire to the bottom track. Make sure the wires come out in the track at least 2 inches away from the corners.
Reed Switch Location
Once you’ve determined the lead location to be on the top or bottom, we would recommend that the reed switch be put on the opposite end of the alarm screen. You can use surface mounted magnets or recessed magnets with or without housings. If you’re recessing the magnets, make sure that they will not interfere with the crank mechanism under the sill. Also make sure that if you’re using surface mounted magnets, you mark their location on the screen frame so that they’re on the opposite side of the crank handle.
Suggested Installation of Alarm Screens for Awning Windows
Pre-Wiring
When wiring for an awning window, it is recommended to bring the alarm circuit wires into one of the top corners of the window opening. That way, when the drapes or other window treatments are pulled open the screen connector plug will be less noticeable. Once this is done, attach one-half of the screen connector plug to the alarm circuit wires and mount it to the window frame. The other half should be attached to the lead wire coming out of the alarm screen.
Put the alarm screen into the window and plug the screen connector together. Using a meter, carefully align the magnet so that it’s adjacent to the reed switch in the screen and mount it to the window frame. Installation is now complete.
Note: If more than one window is in an opening, the alarm screens can be connected together or “daisy chained” without the need to drop another pair of wires to the opening. Simply mark the screens so that they have an addition lead coming out of the opposite corner. This enables each alarm screen to be connected to the next screen in line.
Suggested Installation of Alarm Screens for Side Hung Windows
Step 1: With the window closed and the screen removed, drill a 9/64″ hole from the top inside corner (right or left) of the outside screen channel to the rear corner of the inside window track. Drill from the outside to the inside on an upward, inwards angle as shown above.
Step 2: Feed the end of the 6′ Pin lead through the hole until just enough wire remains to lie taut above the screen in the outside channel when the screen is in place. See dotted like in figure 3.
Step 3: With the window closed and the screen removed, drill a 9/64″ hole from the top inside corner (right or left) of the outside screen channel to the rear corner of the inside window track. Drill from the outside to the inside on an upward, inwards angle as shown above.
Step 4: With the alarm screen in place, open the window and mark the location of the reed switch on the window base.
Note: Always install the alarm screen with the rubber spline inward.
Step 5: Remove the alarm screen and drill two 3/8″ holes in the window base; one on each side of the location of the reed switch. From center to center, the holes should be 1¼” apart. Note: A surface mounted magnet can be used if there is adequate space between the screen and the window.
Step 6: Install the provided magnets in the holes with the opposite (attracting) poles up. Caulk over magnet housings to prevent leaking. Place the alarm screen back in position and check its operation. If pre-wiring a new home, drill through the window frame from inside and bring wires out into the top corner of the screen channel. The Pin Lead connector can then be spliced together with the alarm circuit wires when finishing the alarm system.