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/articles/0k2aw/safety-compliance-window-door-sensor
- https://ring.com/support/articles/cv3m4/installing-window-door-sensor
- https://ring.com/support/products/alarm/window-door-sensor?page=1
Use official Ring support articles for reset procedures, battery types, LED patterns, and regional availability — Ring updates app flows frequently.
Compatible Peripherals
This page lists what this product works with in the Ring ecosystem — not generic third-party alarm panels unless explicitly stated in Ring support.
Host compatibility
| Host / ecosystem | How it connects |
|---|---|
| Ring Alarm Base Station | Z-Wave contact zone |
| Ring Alarm Pro Base Station | Z-Wave contact zone |
| Ring Range Extender | Routes Z-Wave when hub is distant |
Not compatible / common mistakes
Using Ring Alarm Z-Wave devices without a Ring Alarm Base Station or Alarm Pro hub.
Replacement guidance
- Match generation and SKU on the product label before ordering.
- After replacement, remove old device from app and add new hardware — Z-Wave IDs do not transfer.
- Document device name and placement in app for end-user support.
- For monitored accounts, run test mode per Ring Protect instructions after swap.
Source: Ring contact sensor installation and positioning guides (Ring official documentation).