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[heisdave]

Hi,
Just moved into a house with ADT security system, which I don't intend to use.. instead, can these compnents, door and window switches mostly,  be hooked into an X10 based security system?

[Dan Lawrence]

Probably not. ADT's equipment is proprietary and not compatible with anything non-ADT. 

[TakeTheActive]

Just moved into a house with ADT security system, which I don't intend to use.. instead, can these compnents, door and window switches mostly,  be hooked into an X10 based security system?

A switch is a switch is a switch - the only concern you'll have is N.O. (Normally Open) vs. N.C. (Normally Closed).

IIRC, the old X10 Wireless Door/Window Sensor Transmitter had a slide switch inside to choose - the current version doesn't have one "visible", but if someone wants to pop one open, we'll soon find out.

[steven r]

It would be nice to get Bill's feedback on this as an installer but...

...A switch is a switch is a switch - the only concern you'll have is N.O. (Normally Open) vs. N.C. (Normally Closed)....

You should be able to use any hardwired switches if they're the right kind. Plan to trash the ADT controller, however. ADT as well as many other companies trick you with their cheap installs. Then rape you with over priced monitoring services.

[TakeTheActive]

It would be nice to get Bill's feedback on this as an installer but...

I agree with you 100% on Bill's knowledge vs mine on this topic, and initially I deferred answering this post. But then... yada, yada, yada ...I felt that a bit of clarification was in order.

You should be able to use any hardwired switches if they're the right kind. Plan to trash the ADT controller, however. ADT as well as many other companies trick you with their cheap installs.

Thus...

• In my experience, a N.O. switch in a SERIES circuit, with the magnet holding it CLOSED, would be the CHEAPEST install - is ADT known for EXPENSIVE installs?
  .
• The OP already, in my interpretation, intended to trash everything except the switches.
  .
• I located one of my OLD sensors - X10 Model DW534 / RadioShack #61-2612: 9V Battery, NO/NC Slide switch (set to NC) just above the 2 screw terminals for the reed switch.
  

So unless the OP's ADT install is something SUPER-sophisticated and SUPER-expensive, IMHO, he *SHOULD* be able to re-use the door and window switches (depending on the answers to the previous questions of NO vs NC and what the current DS10A defaults / is hard-wired to). Am I confused?

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

It would be nice to get Bill's feedback on this as an installer but...

Thanks Steven, but I thought you all were doing quite well on your own.   

You should be able to use any hardwired switches if they're the right kind. Plan to trash the ADT controller, however. ADT as well as many other companies trick you with their cheap installs. Then rape you with over priced monitoring services.

I couldn't have put that any better myself!   

Basically...

   If your door/window switches are hardwired back to the ADT panel, you should be able to connect the wires at the panel end to the wires on the X10 Model: DS10A door/window sensor if the existing switch is Normally Closed (when the window/door is shut, the switch should appear as a short).  If the switch is Normally Open (when the window/door is shut, the switch is not shorted), you will have to replace it with the switch set that comes with the DS10A or some other Normally Closed switch.

   If your door/window switches are wireless, you will most likely have to replace them with the X10 Model: DS10A and the included switch/magnet pair.


  If your motion sensors are hardwired back to the ADT panel, you should be able to connect the trigger wires at the panel end to the wires on the X10 Model: DS10A door/window sensor if they are Normally Closed.  If they appear to be Normally Open, you can probably open up the motion sensor and move the wire from the N/O screw terminal to the N/C screw terminal.  You will also need a stand-alone 12 volt power supply (preferably with battery backup) to connect to the other two wires from the motion sensor to power it.

  If your motion sensors are wireless, replace them with the best X10 ones you can get (not sure which is best personally).

In all probability, Dan was correct.  The easiest answer is just replace it all.

I'll give you all the help I can, if you want to e-mail me at bill@wgjohns.com.

[TakeTheActive]

   If your door/window switches are hardwired back to the ADT panel, you should be able to connect the wires at the panel end to the wires on the X10 Model: DS10A door/window sensor if the existing switch is Normally Closed (when the window/door is shut, the switch should appear as a short).  If the switch is Normally Open (when the window/door is shut, the switch is not shorted), you will have to replace it with the switch set that comes with the DS10A or some other Normally Closed switch.

Trying to CONFUSE ME with your "Professional Alarm Installer " lingo, eh? 

• Is NO vs NC determined WITH or WITHOUT the magnet present?
  .
• Does the current DS10A have an internal NO/NC switch (or unsolderable link) like the older X10 Model DW534 / RadioShack #61-2612 ?
  .
• UNTIL someone cracks open a DS10A, are we certain that there is NO NO/NC switch inside?
  

   If your door/window switches are wireless, you will most likely have to replace them with the X10 Model: DS10A and the included switch/magnet pair.

If the mounted reed switches are N.O. (without the magnet present), why can't he just replace the ADT Wireless Unit with the X10 Wireless Unit?

In all probability, Dan was correct.  The easiest answer is just replace it all.

If the OP was referring *ONLY* to Door/Window switches (and not ADT Controllers or Motion Sensors), *HOW* was Dan "probably " correct?

Why should the OP *TRASH* everything without first testing / checking to see what he actually has?

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

Trying to CONFUSE ME with your "Professional Alarm Installer " lingo, eh? 
Answer:  Not at all!

• Is NO vs NC determined WITH or WITHOUT the magnet present?
  Answer:  When dealing with alarm systems, "Normal" is defined as the state of the switch (or relay) when no alarm condition exists.  i.e. the door / window is closed, there is no motion, the temperature is not too high or too low, etc.  So in the case of a magnetic contact, it is usually when the magnet is present.
• Does the current DS10A have an internal NO/NC switch (or unsolderable link) like the older X10 Model DW534 / RadioShack #61-2612 ?
  Answer:  Not that I can tell from the online documentation.  It appears to be happy only with its input shorted.
• UNTIL someone cracks open a DS10A, are we certain that there is NO NO/NC switch inside?
  Answer:  Until someone cracks it open, we can't be sure there isn't a flea tapping out morse code inside!   

   If your door/window switches are wireless, you will most likely have to replace them with the X10 Model: DS10A and the included switch/magnet pair.

If the mounted reed switches are N.O. (without the magnet present), why can't he just replace the ADT Wireless Unit with the X10 Wireless Unit?
Answer:  Quite correct!  If the reed switch is not mounted inside the wireless transmitter and has accessible wires leading to the transmitter, the existing switch could be used.

In all probability, Dan was correct.  The easiest answer is just replace it all.

If the OP was referring *ONLY* to Door/Window switches (and not ADT Controllers or Motion Sensors), *HOW* was Dan "probably " correct?

Why should the OP *TRASH* everything without first testing / checking to see what he actually has?
Answer:  If the wires from the existing sensors can be found, they will still have to be connected to X10's transmitter (either at the sensor or where the old ADT panel was) to communicate with the X10 security control.  It may very well be more difficult to trace out and attach to those connections than to simply mount the X10 transmitter and included magnet and reed switch to the door/window and be done with it.  Either way, you're still paying for the included magnet and reed switch!  Not knowing the OP's skill level, IMHO, the easiest solution is to use the included magnet and reed switch as supplied.[/b]

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