TIL a lesson about wireless sensors at a 3-story apartment complex

I was finishing an install at The Pines complex in Springfield, testing the last window sensor on the top floor. The signal kept dropping, even with a repeater. The property manager said, 'It's the foil-backed insulation they put in last year.' I had to run a hardwire zone from the second floor panel up to that window to get a solid connection. Now I always ask about wall materials before quoting a wireless job. Anyone else run into this with newer insulation?

3 comments

3 Comments

clark.iris3mo ago

Maybe it's just me, but that seems like a pretty rare problem. Foil-backed stuff is common, but most sensors punch through okay if the repeater is placed right. Could have just been a bad unit or a weird angle.

felix1553mo ago

My old apartment had that foil stuff in every wall.

olivers2819d ago

Yeah I actually just read something about this. Some new construction uses this really thick foil backed insulation that's basically a faraday cage. The article said even with a repeater right next to the sensor, the signal can bounce weird and not punch through right. Makes me wonder if that's what happened with some of these units people are having trouble with. Did you ever try moving the repeater to a different spot, like maybe a foot or two away from the wall? I've heard even a small gap can make a big difference with that stuff.