Positioning Alarm Contact Sensors on different types of doors, windows, and trim

Learn how to position and mount your Contact Sensor (1st or 2nd Gen) on various types of doors and windows. Learn more about how to physically install your Contact Sensor.

Positioning Contact Sensors

The Contact Sensor is made up of two parts, the sensor and the magnet. One part should be mounted on the door or window, the other on the trim.

Contact Sensor (2nd Gen)

Contact Sensor (1st Gen)

You can mount the Contact Sensor on the door or window and the magnet on the frame, or reverse this arrangement.

Important tips for properly positioning Contact Sensors

• Make sure the space between the Contact Sensor and the magnet is within the required distance.
  • Contact Sensor (2nd Gen) must be 2.5 cm or less from the magnet.
  • Contact Sensor (1st Gen) must be 1.25 cm or less from the magnet.
• When mounting the Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (1st Gen), make sure the notches on the side of the magnet and sensor are lined up.

  Learn more about Contact Sensor (1st Gen)

  .

For Contact Sensor (2nd Gen), allow at least 1.25 cm of clearance around the sensor for easy removal from the mount when replacing batteries.

• Do not place the sensor on the side of the door with hinges.
• Avoid placing near mail slots, where someone could reach through and interfere with the sensor.
• Metal doors and aluminum frames might interfere with the Contact Sensor's signal.
• Test the sensor before securing the parts to the surface.

Curved or decorative molding

Mount the Contact Sensor or magnet on an angle.

Recessed door with a jamb that extends past the door face

Rotate the Contact Sensor or the magnet so they meet at a right angle. For proper fit in this position, your Contact Sensor might need to be mounted about 2 cm from the edge of the door or frame.

French doors

Place the Contact Sensor on one door and the magnet on the other:

Doors or windows with a narrow frame

You can use Ring Alarm Slim Magnet for tight spaces and remove the slim magnet from inside the casing so that it fits into the available space.

To remove and install the slim magnet:

1. Use a small flathead screwdriver to lever the back of the magnet component off of the Contact Sensor.
2. Remove the slim magnet.
3. Install the slim magnet next to the sensor, using the adhesive pad.

Window or door that is not flush with the frame or molding

• Make sure that the Contact Sensor and magnet are less than 2.5 cm apart.
• If your window and door surfaces are uneven, you can use a

  Ring Alarm Contact Sensor Riser
  (sold separately) to adjust the height of the surface.

Using Contact Sensor Riser

Contact Sensor Riser is compatible with Contact Sensor (2nd Gen).

The Riser adds 10mm in height to the Contact Sensor and comes with an additional magnet that is 10mm taller than the original magnet.

To install Contact Sensor Riser:

1. Disarm your Ring Alarm system using the Ring app¹ or Keypad. Learn how to arm and disarm Ring Alarm.

2. Slide the sensor off of its mounting bracket.

3. Attach the mounting bracket to the riser. Make sure it snaps in securely.

4. Slide the sensor onto the riser. Make sure it slides in completely.

5. Install the sensor and magnet on your window or door, and make sure that they are within the required 2.5 cm gap.

6. Open your door or window to confirm that the Contact Sensor detects when the door or window is opened and closed.

Using Ring Open Window Magnet

You can add an Open Window Magnet (sold separately) to keep your home secure while the window is open.