Overview
Ring contact sensor — magnetic reed switch for doors, windows, and similar openings on Ring Alarm Z-Wave systems.
On Ring Alarm, this device is a supervised Z-Wave peripheral — status appears under Device Health in the Ring app, and faults can block arming depending on mode settings.
At a Glance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Detection | Open/close (magnetic gap) |
| Wireless | Z-Wave to Base Station / Range Extender |
| Power | CR123A or listed battery (varies by generation) |
| Supervision | Ring app Device Health — Offline, Tampered, Low Battery |
| Install | Align magnet ≤ gap spec; tamper on back cover |
What This Device Does Well
Provides reliable status reporting and user-facing alerts through the Ring app when installed and enrolled correctly.
Before You Service or Replace One
- Generation — Gen 1 vs Gen 2 vs 3rd gen — battery type and reset steps differ.
- Hub online — Base Station must show connected in app before diagnosing sensor.
- Range — distant devices may need Range Extender, not a new sensor.
- Tamper — cover fully closed before declaring hardware fault.
- Monitoring mode — Practice/disarmed modes affect whether alarms dispatch.
Official Sources
- https://ring.com/support/products/alarm/contact-sensor-gen-2?page=1
Use official Ring support articles for reset procedures, battery types, LED patterns, and regional availability — Ring updates app flows frequently.
Installation Notes
Follow Ring contact sensor installation and positioning guides and the official support links in this product folder for mounting, power, and enrollment.
Pre-install checklist
- Verify Ring Alarm vs camera/doorbell ecosystem — wrong product category cannot enroll on hub.
- Confirm Ring app on latest version; owner account available for setup.
- Plan device name and room in app for service clarity.
- For monitored locations: verify alarm permit and emergency contact list current.
- Have replacement batteries or transformer spec confirmed before truck roll.
Typical install sequence
- Set up Base Station / Alarm Pro first if this is an alarm Z-Wave device.
- Mount hardware per official template — drill, adhesive, or screw as specified.
- Insert battery / connect power; remove pull tab if present.
- Add Device in Ring app; scan QR or follow in-app prompts.
- Complete placement test (motion, contact gap, outdoor comm test) at final location.
- Arm/disarm test or Live View test; confirm events in app history.
Contact alignment
- Gap between sensor and magnet must be within spec — too wide reads open.
- Use included spacers/shims on uneven trim.
- Run tamper test after closing cover — app should show secure.
Power and connectivity reference
| Product type | Power | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm hub | AC + backup battery | Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet |
| Z-Wave sensor/siren/keypad | Battery or AC per model | Z-Wave to hub |
| Range Extender | Wall outlet | Z-Wave repeater |
| Camera / doorbell | Battery, plug, wired, PoE | Wi-Fi |
| Chime Pro | Wall outlet | Wi-Fi extender for Ring devices |
Source: Ring contact sensor installation and positioning guides (Ring official documentation).