Device Tips: Alarm Contact Sensor Placement and Install

Ring Alarm Contact Sensors let you know when your home’s windows and doors are open and closed. Each home has different design features that will determine how you should install the sensors. Below are some tips for choosing where and how to place them.

Where to begin: Tape vs. Screws

Your contact sensors come with double-sided tape and screw in mounts. The tape is ideal for installing your Contact Sensors without screws or to test the placement of the sensors for 48 hours to ensure ideal placement before using the screw mount. Whether you choose screws or tape, it is important to attach the sensor to the mounting bracket when installing.

If the location does not work you will want to try moving the contact sensors to a new location, check out this article in the Ring Help Center to learn more about different placement locations.

Installation Tips

  • Clean the area: Thoroughly clean the area you will be installing your sensors on. If there is dirt on the surface you are sticking the sensor to it will be hard for the adhesive to bond.
    • Note: Using alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol to clean the area is preferred. It dries quickly and does not leave any residue that could interfere with the tape adhesive. However, confirm if the area is painted that the paint will not be stripped by the alcohol (e.g. water-based acrylic paint).
  • Tighter bond (warm surface): Installing sensors with double sided tape during the daytime when the surface is likely to be warmer from sunlight is best as the area will contract when it cools at night to tighten the bond.
  • Multiple contact sensors: When adding additional contact sensors that did not come with the system you have to scan the QR codes of each contact sensor to add it into the device list. Pull the battery tab one device at a time to complete comparing.

Placement Tips

  • Mount Location - Choose a place where they aren’t low or likely to get kicked/brushed by people.
  • Positioning - There are little indentations on each piece that need to line up for the sensors to work properly.
  • Distance - The two pieces must be no further than half an inch apart to work properly.

To see an example of an ideal installation, please watch the video below.