Best Practices For Installations With PROSIX Sensors
Posted By Julia RossThe Resideo PROSIX line of wireless sensors currently works with the PROA7, PROA7PLUS, and VISTAH3 panels. These encrypted sensors offer excellent range, reliability, and security. But to get the most out of your investment, it helps to follow some basic rules for installation and upkeep.
New to PRO Series sensors? This simple guide shows you how to place, pair, and care for Resideo PROSIX devices with your PROA7 or PROA7PLUS panel.
What To Do First
- Plan install locations: Walk your home and decide where each sensor should be mounted. We'll talk more about mounting considerations next.
- Name your zones: Make a short list like “Front Door,” “Kitchen Window,” “Hall Motion.” This makes setup quick and easy.
Sensor Placement Basics
Door/Window Contacts
- Protect any opening a person can reach from outside. If you’re on a budget, start with the highest-risk spots: ground-level doors and windows, especially those at the back of the home or in darker, hidden areas. Cover additional openings as your budget allows.
- Mount the sensor on the frame and the magnet on the moving portion of the door or window.
- Keep the magnet and sensor properly aligned and as close together as possible when closed. Check your model’s maximum gap specification and make sure the closed gap doesn’t exceed it.
- Avoid mounting directly on ferrous metal. If the frame is metal, use included spacers if provided. Aluminum doors usually don't pose a problem. A PROSIXCTV can be used to add a separate contact, such as the Honeywell 947-75T, that is made specifically for mounting on steel doors.
Motion Sensors
- Place on a wall or in a corner with a clear view of the room, about 6–8 feet high.
- Avoid pointing at windows, fans, or HVAC vents.
- Do not aim directly at heat sources (ovens, space heaters, sunny glass).
- If you have pets, follow the specific mounting instructions in the installation guide. The PROSIXPIRV offers up to 80 pound (36kg) pet immunity when the instructions for pet immunity are strictly followed. Generally speaking, mount where any animal, regardless of size, can't come within six (6) feet of the front of the sensor.
Glass Break Sensors
- Verify in the installation instructions that the PROSIXGB is suitable for the type and size of glass you want to protect.
- Mount the PROSIXGB in the same room as the glass to be protected.
- Avoid thick curtains or heavy drapes between the sensor and the protected glass.
- Set the sensitivity level for the PROSIXGB based on the distance between the detector and the protected glass.
- Mount on a wall or ceiling with a clear “line of sound” no more than 25' (7.6m) from the protected glass.
Tip: If you’re unsure about a mounting location, temporarily tape the sensor in place, finish setup, and test the glass break before permanently mounting.
How to Pair a PROSIX Sensor
- On the panel, tap Menu (≡) > Tools > Installer Code (Default 4112) > Programming > Peripherals > + Key (upper right). The panel is now in listening mode.
- Put the sensor into enrollment by pulling the battery tab on brand new sensors, or by opening the device's cover to activate the tamper.
- Once the panel detects the sensor, give it a clear name, such as “Front Door” or “Living Room Motion.” Program any other sensor-specific fields, such as Response Type and Service for sensors that can use more than one zone, e.g., PROSIXCTV and PROSIXSMOKEV. For sensors with a single function Service will be filled automatically.
- Be sure to click Save and close the sensor cover if the tamper was used to pair it with the panel.
- Once you exit programming tap Menu (≡) > Sensors and check the signal strength of each PROSIX sensor in the location where it will be permanently mounted. Once a good communication path is confirmed, permanently mount each sensor and do a final signal strength check.
Important Note: If a sensor won’t enroll, confirm it isn’t paired to another panel. An unpaired sensor shows a rapidly blinking LED when you pull the battery tab, fault the sensor, or open the cover. A slow blink indicates the sensor is already paired. If possible, factory-default the sensor; otherwise, remove/release it from the previous panel, then enroll to the new one.
Battery Care
- Use only the battery type listed on the sensor’s Install Guide, or Data Sheet.
- Always remove all batteries, wait a full ten seconds, then insert new batteries. This helps to clear any low battery signal. Always read the sensor instructions for any special notes about installing new batteries. For example, the PROSIXCMBOV requires that all new batteries be installed within 15 seconds of beginning the battery install process.
- For sensors with multiple batteries, always change all batteries at the same time. Don't mix old and new batteries and don't mix batteries from different manufacturers.
- You can check the battery level of other sensors by tapping Menu (≡) > Tools > Installer or Master Code (4112 and 1234 by default, respectively) > System Test > Test Sensors > Start Test > OK. The siren will sound for a few seconds. Go around and fault each sensor. Then check the panel for the signal strength and battery level of all tested sensors. If any other sensor batteries are low you can go ahead and change them to prevent future low battery messages on the panel.
Important Note: PROSIX sensors use two-way supervision, meaning they require an acknowledgement (ACK) from the panel after sending a check-in signal. If the panel is powered down or removed, a sensor will repeatedly attempt to check-in, quickly draining its battery. To preserve battery life, remove the batteries from your PROSIX sensors whenever the panel will be out of service for an extended time.
When powering the system back up, always power on the PROSIX transmitters before the PRO Series panel. The panel uses Frequency Agility to select the best RF channel and then instructs the sensors to follow. If the panel changes channels while the sensors are still off, they won’t receive the update. This leaves them in a state of limbo, unable to communicate with the current panel or with any new or defaulted panel.
Monthly Test
- Put the system in test mode with your monitoring company if you subscribe to full monitoring. You'll need to provide your name, address, and false alarm password, as well as a duration for the test.
- Enter the panel's Walk Test Mode.
- Open and close each protected door/window and confirm it shows on the panel.
- For motion detectors, follow the sensor's instructions for entering Walk Test Mode. For the PROSIXPIRV remove and replace the batteries. This removes any transmit inhibit designed to conserve battery life and enables the sensor LED. The motion will remain in Walk Test Mode for ten minutes. Walk in front of each motion sensor and verify you see it trigger when you walk in the protected area.
- For glass break sensors, we linked above to an FAQ on using the Honeywell FG701 to perform a functional test. The FAQ is written describing the steps with a Honeywell 5853, but they translate to the PROSIXGB very well.
- Exit test mode and confirm the system displays the proper status with no trouble conditions present.
Safety and Mounting Tips
- Use the included screws for permanent installs where possible.
- Clean the mounting surface before using double-sided foam tape. Press firmly in place for a full 30 seconds.
- Keep sensors dry and indoors unless the model is rated for outdoor use.
Quick Reference: Which Sensor Goes Where?
| Area | Suggested Sensor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front/Back Door | Opening: PROSIXCTV PROSIXMINI PROSIXMINI3 |
Align magnet closely with sensor on closed door. |
| Sliding Glass Door | Opening: PROSIXCTV PROSIXMINI PROSIXMINI3 Glass Breakage: PROSIXGB |
Use both for open/close and glass break detection. |
| First-Floor Windows | Opening: PROSIXCTV PROSIXMINI PROSIXMINI3 Glass Breakage: PROSIXGB |
Contacts for open/close. Glass Break for shatter detection. |
| Hallway/Living Room/Bedroom | Motion Detection: PROSIXPIRV |
Mount 6' - 8' high, away from heat and direct sun. |
| Kitchen | Motion Detection: PROSIXPIRV Opening: PROSIXCTV PROSIXMINI PROSIXMINI3 |
Avoid pointing motions at ovens and vents; consider contacts on exterior doors and windows. |
| Additional Protection | CO Detection: PROSIXCOV PROSIXCMBOV Flood: PROSIXFLOOD Temperature: PROSIXTEMP |
Carbon Monoxide detection and combination smoke/heat/CO detection Flood protection Freeze/High Temp detection |
Keep Your Panel Updated
Connect your panel to WIFI so it can receive the latest over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. The PRO Series panels will not download firmware using cellular data. The PROA7PLUS comes from the factory with the PROWIFIZW installed. The PROA7 comes with no built-in communicator, so it will need to have a PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW added.
Firmware updates can improve stability and sensor compatibility. When firmware updates for PROSIX sensors are available, they are included in the panel's firmware package. Once the panel updates, the sensor firmware will be pushed by the alarm panel to each sensor.
Need a Hand?
Alarm Grid supports DIYers every day. If you want help selecting, placing, or pairing PROSIX sensors, we can help. We provide free technical support to our monitored customers M - F from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Eastern Time. You can reach us by calling 1-888-818-7728 or via email at support@alarmgrid.com.
Resideo, a leading provider of security solutions under the Honeywell Home, First Alert, and Resideo brand names, is now offering the PROSIXMINI3. This new, small form factor door and window contact is the latest in the company's ongoing effort to provide reliable and convenient encrypted security solutions.
