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Wireless Garage Door Sensor

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May 22, 2012

Wireless Garage Door Sensor

 

The magnetic door sensor is the most common alarm system device (I really like the wireless door sensors), and every alarm system has at least one door sensor. That only makes sense: the door is the most common form of entry for burglars, by a wide margin. But now there’s a really powerful addition to the home security arsenal: the wireless garage door sensor for the overhead door. Since a motion sensor is not the most reliable way to protect the garage, especially summer or in warmer climates, it’s great to add the garage door sensor to your roster of security options. And if you think it’s too hard to break into your garage this way, check out this video – it surprised me, even after all these years dealing with home security!

Explaining the Garage Door Sensor

The garage door sensor has been with us for some time, but it has traditionally been a clunky hard-wired device that mounted on the door’s rail and used oversized magnets – and was so tough to install that it was rarely used. The new wireless sensor is smaller than your thumb, and has a weight switch that’s activated as the door is lifted and moves from vertical to horizontal. The sensor communicates wirelessly to your control panel as the door is opened and closed. This sensor can even be programmed to alert you if the garage door is left open longer than a certain period of time that you can choose – and since many families keep items of value in the garage, it’s good to know when that door is opened – or left open.

Placement

Unlike the old school garage door sensor, this couldn’t be easier. Simply place the sensor at the top of the garage door, on the inside surface, using simple double-sided tape. As soon as the door is opened even a short distance, the sensor will notify your control panel and trigger an alarm – that means a burglar can’t pry the door part way up and crawl under undetected.

For FrontPoint, adding this sensor to our offering of GE wireless security equipment was an easy choice – and I ‘m happy to use one of them in my own home. The garage door sensor exemplifies the innovative approach to interactive, wireless home security that has earned us rave reviews all across the US and Canada. If it makes your home safer, and your alarm system smarter,chances are you can get it from FrontPoint. And now I have to go home and try to break into my garage, like that guy in the video!

 

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Comments
Alan
May 28, 2012
Yes, I love mine. I set my system to send out text alerts after being open for ten minutes, in case I ever drive off forgetting to close it or something, which I have done in the past before getting this sensor. Since having it, i haven't driven off with it open yet, but it always sends out alerts when I am sweeping out the garage or something and have the door open at least 10 minutes (time defined by me). Anyway, it is a very useful and easy to install sensor, not unlike pretty much all the others you offer.
Peter M. Rogers
May 28, 2012
Thanks, Alan - you have used your FrontPoint system for so long and explored so many of its features that you are the ultimate power user! And yes, I have a garage door sensor in place as well, and use it the same way you do.
Alan
May 28, 2012
Yes, I love mine. I set my system to send out text alerts after being open for ten minutes, in case I ever drive off forgetting to close it or something, which I have done in the past before getting this sensor. Since having it, i haven't driven off with it open yet, but it always sends out alerts when I am sweeping out the garage or something and have the door open at least 10 minutes (time defined by me). Anyway, it is a very useful and easy to install sensor, not unlike pretty much all the others you offer.
Peter M. Rogers
May 28, 2012
Thanks, Alan - you have used your FrontPoint system for so long and explored so many of its features that you are the ultimate power user! And yes, I have a garage door sensor in place as well, and use it the same way you do.
Paulo
June 25, 2015
I'm considering acquiring a Frontpoint alarm. However I was dismayed to learn motion sensors don't work well in hot garages. I see benefit to the garage door sensor should the door be raised, though if the bottom panel is pried just enough to deform it so someone can squeeze in beneath it, the sensor won't set off the alarm. Outside of replacing an unlined metal garage door, do you know of any methods to secure it, or alternate means for alarming the garage interior?
Valerie Saponara
June 25, 2015
Paulo, the reason motion sensors are looking for heat specifically is to determine a living thing from a non-living thing before setting your alarm off. Although this is safest technology out there regarding motion sensors, there is another option for people who have warmer garages. We do offer a garage door sensor, which can tell you if your door is being opened or closed. This sensors would tie into your whole system and set off an alarm if opened while the alarm is set. This would most likely be your only option aside from a motion sensor that would help you keep your garage safe from intrusion. Please let me know if you would like more information on that sensor!
Spencer Pearson
January 30, 2020
Thanks, Alan - you have used your FrontPoint system for so long and explored so many of its features that you are the ultimate power user! And yes, I have a garage door sensor in place as well, and use it the same way you do.
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