Alarm Wire, Stranded or Solid?

gfchew

After getting quotes from alarm companies, I've decided to do it myself. I'm putting in magnetic sensors (i.e., 2 conductor) and motion sensors (i.e., 4 conductor).

My question is whether it's okay to use stranded 22 awg instead of solid conductor.

Ramblin06

Gfchew,
SOLID WIRE!! I did home security for 10 years. I would run 4 conductor to all your locations; magnetic and motion sensors. When you hook up the 4 wires to the 2 wire magnetic sensors do this; red to 1 side of the alarm panel lug the other side of red to 1 side of the alarm contact, then the other side of the alarm contact gets the yellow wire. Then in the alarm panel connect the other end of the yellow to the resistor and then connect the other side of the resistor to the green wire. Then at the magnetic contact solder the green and the black wire together. Then at the alarm panel lug connect the black to the panel. This way you will "monitor the resistance" all 4 wires of the 4 conductor. Plus this will allow you to have the resistors off the panel. Also makes for a neat job. Then if you should have trouble there is 2 extra wires at the contact...

gfchew

Ramblin, Great advice. I'm really hoping that stranded works as well? Unfortunately, I prewired it in two weeks ago, just prior to dry wall. I have two doors already wired with sensors, but I think I'll try to pull the wires out to configure it per your advice. Thanks.

BigJimmy

To be honest, I prefer stranded wire when working with such small gauges. Stranded is much more forgiving and will not break as easily. If terminations are an issue due to the wire strands "spreading" under the screw, simply strip the ends and tin them with a soldering iron prior to terminating.

Electrically, there is no reason why you could not use either.

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TheSecurityGuy

Stranded wire is more forgiving to breaks and damage. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. You should be able to access the NEC (National Electrical Code) from NFPA or you local library.

Come see my blog for current security related topics.

Good Luck.

buletbob

I have seen both used on alarms, But the stranded is more common.

Sammy

We use stranded in all of our installations and never have a problem.

The only exception is solid wire in certain commercial fire alarm installs where it is required.

Pulling the extra conductors is never a bad idea in case you have a wire failure down the road or want to add on.

Most of the cost of a hard wired system is the wire pulling cost so you can save by doing it yourself. And if your not planning on having it monitored it wouldnt matter who did the install.