Hi.

I have just had a new set of PVC french doors fitted and want to protect them by adding a door contact to my alarm (Texecom Veritas Excel).

I'm wondering which type of switch to use. I've heard using a flush reed switch can invalidate the warranty on the doors, but I don't know how to fit a surface mounted switch because the fixed outer frame of the door is about 10mm further out than the door itself so I can't get the contacts lined up.

Searching I've found a plunger switch which would just mean drilling the outer frame (I presume this doesn't affect the door warranty as you need to drill the frame to fix it to the wall anyway) but I'm not sure if these are meant for PVC doors.

Any advise on which switch to get and how to fit it is greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Damian

You probably know already but the magnetic reed contacts dont have to touch they just have to line up and be within close proximity so that the magnet can line up with the switch.

You probably know already but the magnetic reed contacts dont have to touch they just have to line up and be within close proximity so that the magnet can line up with the switch.

Yes. I believe it's around 15mm on most surface contacts (not the heavy duty ones, which I think are 25mm)

I dont care how good an installer you are, there is not a neat way to fit contacts to a upvc patio door (any manufacturers reading ?), unless they are hidden by a curtain.

In the past I have recommended vibration sensors instead in each bottom corner, and the middle if the doors are big enough.

It will take a serious bashing to break through the doors if they are new upvc (which would trigger the vibration sensor), and dont forget, if they only break the glass to get through the door then then contact will not open anyway. Neither would a plunger switch, which I am not sure would comply anyway.

I would go for vipers myself.

I have done the same on my own upvc doors but the structure has been breached and the warranty 'probably' voided.

This Way Seems To Be The Norm For Us

With No Warranty Problems

Sorry For Quality and Scale

The Magnet Sits Nicely into Where The Locking Section Fits (If It Were On The Side)

Only Ever Had A Few That Are To Close For The Contact Itself

Sometimes Have To Pack It Up

Standard Surface Contact

Edited April 18, 200620 yr by Barsnake

You are watsed on here, you should be in CAD.

You are watsed on here, you should be in CAD.

Is your keyboard broken ?

Yep, that is how we do it. I cannot see how it can effect a warantee. The insulation is not effected.

I've Asked At Least A Dozen Different Companies and All Say Its Fine No Problem

I got properly bollocked by my install manager once for running a cable inside the frame like that, I'm not saying you lot are wrong but I have never done it since then.

Customer claimed off our firm for new patio doors cos window firm said warranty was now void. (The problem was condesation in the double glazed unit???).

Looks neat to me as well tho, if you do it that way.

Is that an outward opening door?

If so its against NSI standards, correct me if im wrong?