I’m getting this alert when I arm my alarm. Can you please tell me what I’m to do?
The sensor has failed its check in with the panel causing a loss of supervision error. Therefore, arming the panel would cause the sensor to report a bypass. This would be a signalling issue and can be related to a number of things.
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How far away is this sensor from the panel?
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Is the sensor currently mounted on metal? or is there environmental interference in between the sensor and
panel, such as metal? Metal can cause interference with signalling. -
Its unlikely to be a battery issue as it appears this is a new sensor. However, borderline low batteries
can cause signalling issues.
Sensor is approximately 25 feet from the panel. Mounted to a vinyl clad window and wooden jam. There are sensors in the system further away than this one. Window has not been opened or closed since system was installed.
Not sure how much else I can tell you…
Window has not been opened or closed since system was installed.
Have you ever tested that sensor? Always be sure to test your alarm sensors after installation to ensure function.
Try opening and closing the window. Does the sensor show open on the panel?
If not, if you remove the sensor from the mounted location and just hold it nearby, try opening and closing with the magnet. Does this show open on the panel?
There are sensors in the system further away than this one.
The issue is often not only distance, and it is common for a signaling problem to not be the most distant sensor.
It looks like this is likely an IQ DW Mini S-line sensor, but to verify, can you confirm the model of sensor?
Hi Warren. I can’t remember if I tested all of the sensors prior to installation. They came to me paired with the panel, I guess I assumed they were tested at that point?
I’m not home right now, will test function when I get home. This system has been up and running for around a month, this past weekend is the first time I’ve had any errors whatsoever.
They came to me paired with the panel, I guess I assumed they were tested at that point?I’m not home right now, will test function when I get home. This system has been up and running for around a month, this past weekend is the first time I’ve had any errors whatsoever.
Not a problem. Yes, if a system is ordered and pre-programmed, sensors would be tested, but this does not take into account the local installation environment and all sensors should be tested after installation.
I suppose it may be possible the sensor came with a low battery. That would be pretty rare, but it would be easy to swap the battery with that of another sensor of the same model as a test and see if you notice loss of supervision anymore on this sensor.
I’ll test it today and see what I come up with.
Just tried opening the window, nadda. Opened the window next to it, it’s operating normally.
Try opening that sensor’s cover and pulling the battery. Make sure there isn’t anything obstructing the battery terminals.
Re-insert the battery following polarity. Any change in function?
Just gave that a shot Warren. There were no obstructions, for the time being that appears to have solved the problem. Good to know, will try that before bugging you guys with it in the future.
Thanks!
We’re here to help, so do not hesitate to ask questions!
I wouldn’t expect to see similar issue in the future. The battery may just not have been making good contact with the port for whatever reason.
I dunno Warren. That was the first time I popped any of the covers, those batts were in there as I would have expected them to be and the tension of them being held in by the contacts was significant. Not proclaiming to be an expert, but I don’t suspect a power problem.
Is it possible that this was a communication issue?
It of course can still be a communication issue, only time or further testing would confirm, but if it did not work at all prior to the battery re-insertion I would have my doubts. The important thing is to cover all bases and test.
If you test the sensor now, in an installed position, ten times, does it work every time?
If it never worked to begin with why would the error just pop up in the last few days? Not trying to be argumentative, trying to understand.
I tried it to or three times while I was home for lunch and it worked. If I need to try 10 I certainly will.
If it never worked to begin with why would the error just pop up in the last few days? Not trying to be argumentative, trying to understand.
I understand. Door Window sensors typically are shipped with a plastic divider between the battery and one of the terminals. During removal for some sensors, this plastic can remove cleanly, or possibly tear and leave a small amount behind if thinner than normal. This may partially obscure the terminal connection. Similarly the batteries may have been wrapped in thin clear plastic before insertion by the manufacturer and a small bit may have been present. This would be easy to miss.
Another possibility, perhaps more likely, is that the battery was simply low on charge when installed by the manufacturer. While rare, it can happen, and loss of supervision errors are a common result when combined with distance/environmental. They commonly occur before a low battery alert might and would affect function sporadically.
If you have a voltmeter you could check the voltage on the battery, or you could just swap the battery with one from the same model sensor as suggested in a prior post to test.
I’ll put a meter on the batts when I get home and report back…
Hey Warren…just pulled that sensor to measure battery voltage. Immediately got a tamper warning, so that’s good.
Both batteries measured 3.11 volts.
Based on how it is now acting, how you described it failing to report anything previously, and the voltage you are seeing on the batteries, I would just keep an eye out for loss of supervision again, as it was very likely an issue with power application.
I would open the sensor a number of times to test again later, but if it works 100% then I would not imagine this is just signaling trouble unless the sensor has been physically adjusted on the window.
If you notice the loss of supervision again, it is likely a sensor defect.
Hi Jason. Just tried it ten times, accurately reported the window opening ten times.
When you say a power application issue, what do you mean?
"If it never worked to begin with why would the error just pop up in the last few days? Not trying to be argumentative, trying to understand.
I tried it to or three times while I was home for lunch and it worked. If I need to try 10 I certainly will."
That’s actually a security risk, come to think of it.