AboutDave Neuweiler Expertise The design and application of burglary and fire systems for homes and businesses. Helping alarm owners understand how their system works. Helping to troubleshoot false alarm problems. Questions about monitoring issues.
Experience Over a quarter century in the industry. Experience in installation, service, and monitoring centers. Training manager for a national protective services company; director of education and training for a national trade organization for for alarm dealers.
Expert: Dave Neuweiler Date: 12/30/2006 Subject: DSC Power 832 alarm
Question When I try to set my alarm, it indicates that one of my doors is open when in fact it is shut. I noticed that there is no "chime" sound when the suspect door is opened or closed which tells me that the sensor in the door may be bad. Is this something I can fix or should I call an alarm tech? Thanks
Answer Hello David, and thanks for your question.
Sensor replacement is pretty straightforward, if you can find the same kind of switch. There are dozens of makes and models, though; here's a link to an online store (I don't endorse any vendor of brand, but this site has pictures that may help you identify the part. If you Google "DIY alarm parts" you'll find dozens of stores):
While the sensor is a likely culprit, the trouble could be a broken wire or connection between the control panel and the switch, so don't ignore that aspect.
If you can access the switch, you can bypass it by shorting the leads or contact points together. If this clears the zone, then the switch is bad.
If all this seems too much, or too confusing, then it's a quick job for a technician.
I hope this helps, and please write again if you have a follow-up question.
