DSC Door Sensor - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

sunny87 · 2011-11-20, 12:03 PM

Hi, I've been reading this forum for sometime, seems interesting.

I have a DSC 5015 system, last night the alarm went off with the 1 zone flashing, which is for the main door sensor.

I noticed that the 1 light randomly comes on and off, when no one is opening or closing the door. I suspect that there is something wrong with the door sensor.

So I inspected the sensor and found it was one of the cylindrical white tubes recessed into the door. I couldn't find any wires in/around the door.

I'm guessing this is some sort of wireless sensor, am I correct? And does it need to be replaced? I've changed the alarm backup battery before and would like to change it myself to save some money.

How do I find out the model number so I can buy one and could anyone tell me if replacing the sensor will work?

57 · 2011-11-20, 12:05 PM

Are you sure the tube doesn't move in and out when the door opens and closes. With the colder weather the door may have contracted and the sensor is no longer "opening" the contact when the door is closed. This can be tested by pushing on the sensor to see if it moves and to see if the "light" goes on and off.

If this is the case, you will need to narrow the gap between the door and the frame so that the sensor works properly.

If the sensor doesn't move, then it could still be due to too large a "gap"?

ssbtech · 2011-11-20, 02:16 PM

Is it one of these?
http://www.dsc.com/index.php?n=products&o=view&id=85

Might just need a new battery, but I would have thought it would have sent a low battery signal to the system already.

sunny87 · 2011-11-20, 09:46 PM

So I removed it from the door and it appears like the cylinder you posted but there's no way to open it to replace a battery. And it doesn't appear to be wireless. The contact in the door frame is a hole closed up with some white kind of resin which comes in contact with the white tube-like structure in the door that I removed?

And the sensor doesn't seem to be loose in the door, when I open and close the door the alarm beeps normally, only at random occasions does the sensor go off without the door being used.

Any ideas?

Soundy · 2011-11-20, 11:16 PM

The other half of the equation is the magnet that will be mounted in the door directly opposite the sensor - check that to make sure it's in proper position. Check that it hasn't settled down into the door... also check that the gap between the door and the jamb isn't too big (foundation settling can cause doors frames to go out of square and change the gap).

It's PROBABLY a wired sensor - you won't see the wiring without pulling the sensor out, if it is, because it would run inside the walls. A loose connection where it ties into the wiring could cause the symptoms you described.

ssbtech · 2011-11-21, 12:42 AM

Did you remove it from the door or door frame?

In the door it will be a magnet, in the frame it will be the magnetic switch.

You won't see any wires in the door, you'll have to remove it from the door frame to see if there are any wires.

Is there any way you can take a picture?

Paolo · 2011-11-21, 12:07 PM

Here is a picture of what one looks like from the web. They're pretty common, even my household has them

sunny87 · 2011-11-22, 01:14 AM

The magnet in the door looks the exact same, I'll take a picture tomorrow morning and post it. The sensor hasn't gone off after I reinserted the magnet. I'm guessing it moved with the arrival of winter. I'll keep you guys updated if anything happens.

Thanks for all the help.

2011-11-20, 12:03 PM	#1
sunny87 Rookie Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 3	DSC Door Sensor Hi, I've been reading this forum for sometime, seems interesting. I have a DSC 5015 system, last night the alarm went off with the 1 zone flashing, which is for the main door sensor. I noticed that the 1 light randomly comes on and off, when no one is opening or closing the door. I suspect that there is something wrong with the door sensor. So I inspected the sensor and found it was one of the cylindrical white tubes recessed into the door. I couldn't find any wires in/around the door. I'm guessing this is some sort of wireless sensor, am I correct? And does it need to be replaced? I've changed the alarm backup battery before and would like to change it myself to save some money. How do I find out the model number so I can buy one and could anyone tell me if replacing the sensor will work?

2011-11-20, 12:05 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,346	Are you sure the tube doesn't move in and out when the door opens and closes. With the colder weather the door may have contracted and the sensor is no longer "opening" the contact when the door is closed. This can be tested by pushing on the sensor to see if it moves and to see if the "light" goes on and off. If this is the case, you will need to narrow the gap between the door and the frame so that the sensor works properly. If the sensor doesn't move, then it could still be due to too large a "gap"? __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2011-11-20, 09:46 PM	#4
sunny87 Rookie Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 3	DSC Door Sensor So I removed it from the door and it appears like the cylinder you posted but there's no way to open it to replace a battery. And it doesn't appear to be wireless. The contact in the door frame is a hole closed up with some white kind of resin which comes in contact with the white tube-like structure in the door that I removed? And the sensor doesn't seem to be loose in the door, when I open and close the door the alarm beeps normally, only at random occasions does the sensor go off without the door being used. Any ideas?

2011-11-22, 01:14 AM	#8
sunny87 Rookie Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 3	The magnet in the door looks the exact same, I'll take a picture tomorrow morning and post it. The sensor hasn't gone off after I reinserted the magnet. I'm guessing it moved with the arrival of winter. I'll keep you guys updated if anything happens. Thanks for all the help. Last edited by sunny87; 2011-11-22 at 01:14 AM. Reason: grammar

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2011-11-20, 02:16 PM	#3
ssbtech Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 496	Is it one of these? http://www.dsc.com/index.php?n=products&o=view&id=85 Might just need a new battery, but I would have thought it would have sent a low battery signal to the system already.

2011-11-20, 11:16 PM	#5
Soundy Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 53	The other half of the equation is the magnet that will be mounted in the door directly opposite the sensor - check that to make sure it's in proper position. Check that it hasn't settled down into the door... also check that the gap between the door and the jamb isn't too big (foundation settling can cause doors frames to go out of square and change the gap). It's PROBABLY a wired sensor - you won't see the wiring without pulling the sensor out, if it is, because it would run inside the walls. A loose connection where it ties into the wiring could cause the symptoms you described.

2011-11-21, 12:42 AM	#6
ssbtech Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 496	Did you remove it from the door or door frame? In the door it will be a magnet, in the frame it will be the magnetic switch. You won't see any wires in the door, you'll have to remove it from the door frame to see if there are any wires. Is there any way you can take a picture?

2011-11-21, 12:07 PM	#7
Paolo Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Regional Municipality of Durham Posts: 2,712	Here is a picture of what one looks like from the web. They're pretty common, even my household has them