Alarm Contact Sensor and Window and Door Sensor Positioning Tips

Learn how to position and mount your Ring Alarm Contact Sensors or your Window and Door Sensor on various types of doors, windows and trim. Learn more about how to physically install your Contact Sensor.

Positioning Alarm Contact Sensors and Window and Door Sensor

The Alarm Contact Sensor and Window and Door Sensor are 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.

Window and Door Sensor

Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Gen)

Alarm Contact Sensor (1st Gen)

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

Important tips for properly positioning Alarm Contact Sensor and Window and Door Sensor

• Make sure the space between the sensor and the magnet is within the required distance.
  • Window and Door Sensor must be 2.5 cm or less from the magnet.
  • Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Gen) must be 2.5 cm or less from the magnet.
  • Alarm Contact Sensor (1st Gen) must be 1.25 cm or less from the magnet.
• When mounting the Alarm 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 Alarm 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 sensor's signal.
• Test the sensor before securing the parts to the surface.

Curved or decorative molding

Mount the Alarm Contact Sensor, Window and Door Sensor or magnet on an angle.

Recessed door with a jamb that extends past the door face

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

French doors

Place the Alarm Contact Sensor or Window and Door 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 Alarm 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 Alarm Contact Sensor or Window and Door Sensor.
2. Remove the Alarm Slim Magnet.
3. Install the Alarm Slim Magnet next to the Alarm Contact Sensor, using the adhesive pad.

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

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

  Ring Alarm Contact Sensor Riser (2nd Gen)

  to adjust the height of the surface.

Using Alarm Contact Sensor Riser

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

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

To install Alarm Contact Sensor Riser:

1. Disarm your Ring Alarm using the Ring app

   ¹

   or Keypad.

   Learn how to arm and disarm Ring Alarm

   .
2. Slide Alarm Contact Sensor off its mounting bracket.
3. Attach the mounting bracket to Alarm Contact Sensor Riser. Make sure it snaps securely.
4. Slide Alarm Contact Sensor onto Alarm Contact Sensor Riser. Make sure it slides in completely.
5. Install the Alarm Contact Sensor and magnet on your window or door and make sure that they are within the required 1 inch (2.5 cm) gap.
6. Open your door or window to confirm that the Alarm Contact Sensor detects when the door or window is opened and closed.

Using Ring Open Window Magnet

You can add an Ring Open Window Magnet (2nd Gen) to keep your home secure while the window is open.