Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 7

Homeowner Summary

The Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 7 is a two-piece wireless sensor that detects when a door, window, gate, or cabinet is opened or closed. One piece mounts on the fixed frame, the other mounts on the moving door or window. When the two pieces separate, the sensor reports "open" to your hub and SAM. When they come back together, it reports "closed."

This sensor is fundamental to home security awareness and environmental monitoring. An exterior door left open in winter wastes heating energy and stresses your HVAC system. A garage door left open overnight is a security risk. A basement window opened during a rainstorm could lead to water damage. SAM uses data from these sensors to monitor access points, optimize HVAC efficiency analysis, and alert you to conditions that could lead to damage or energy waste.

Aeotec offers two versions: the Basic model (ZWA008) for straightforward open/close detection, and the Pro model (ZWA012) which adds tamper detection and tilt sensing. Both run on a CR123A battery with approximately two years of battery life under normal use. Your Shipshape installer will recommend the right model for each location.

How It Works

The sensor uses a magnetic reed switch — a well-proven technology that has been used in security systems for decades. The main sensor body contains a sealed glass tube with two thin metal contacts inside. The companion piece is a magnet. When the magnet is close to the sensor body (door or window closed), the magnetic field pulls the contacts together, completing a circuit. When the magnet moves away (door or window opens), the contacts spring apart, breaking the circuit. This change triggers a Z-Wave wireless signal to your hub.

The Pro model adds two additional capabilities:

• Tamper detection — An internal switch detects if someone removes the sensor from its mounting surface. This is important for security applications where an intruder might try to remove the sensor before opening a door.
• Tilt detection — An accelerometer detects angular changes, making the Pro model ideal for garage doors that tilt rather than swing. When the garage door tilts open, the sensor detects the angle change and reports it as an open event.

Both models use Z-Wave Plus technology with S2 security encryption and communicate on the 908.42 MHz band.

Setup Guide

Pairing with SmartThings

1. Open the SmartThings app. Tap "+" then "Device" then "Scan for nearby devices."
2. On the sensor, press the small button on the side once. The LED will blink, indicating pairing mode.
3. The hub will discover the sensor within 30 seconds. Accept the S2 security pairing.
4. Name the sensor by its location (e.g., "Front Door," "Master Bedroom Window," "Garage Door").

Mounting

1. Test placement first — Before permanently mounting, hold the two pieces in position and open/close the door or window to confirm the sensor triggers reliably.
2. Gap tolerance — The sensor reliably detects open/close with up to 20 mm (3/4 inch) gap between the sensor body and magnet when closed. For the Basic model, maximum separation for detection is approximately 22 mm. The Pro model tolerates slightly less at about 18 mm.
3. Alignment — The raised line on the magnet piece should align with the raised line on the sensor body. These markings indicate the optimal orientation for strongest magnetic coupling.
4. Mounting options:
   • Adhesive strips (included) — Peel and stick. Best for flat, smooth surfaces. Clean the surface with alcohol first.
   • Screws (included) — More permanent and reliable for exterior doors or high-traffic locations.
   • Recessed mount — The Pro model can be recessed into the door frame for an invisible installation. Requires drilling a 3/4-inch hole.
5. Magnet placement — Always mount the magnet on the moving surface (door/window) and the sensor body on the fixed frame. The sensor body contains the electronics and should remain stationary.

Maintenance Guide

DIY (Homeowner)

• Battery replacement — When SAM alerts you to low battery, replace the CR123A. The battery compartment is accessed by sliding the sensor cover off (Basic) or removing the back plate (Pro).
• Check alignment — Over time, doors can shift due to settling or hinge wear. If the sensor reports false open/close events, verify that the magnet and sensor body still align when the door is closed.
• Clean mounting surface — If using adhesive, check periodically that the sensor has not shifted. Reapply adhesive or switch to screws if needed.

Professional

• Verify reporting — Open and close each monitored door/window and confirm events appear in the SmartThings app and SAM within 2 to 3 seconds.
• Check battery voltage — Sensors reporting below 2.5V should have batteries replaced proactively rather than waiting for failure.
• Test tamper switch (Pro only) — Remove the sensor from its mount and verify a tamper alert fires.
• Audit coverage — During service visits, review which doors and windows are monitored. Recommend additional sensors for any unmonitored exterior access points.

Warning Signs

• Sensor shows "open" when the door is clearly closed (magnet shifted, gap too large, or battery nearly dead)
• Frequent false triggers (check for vibration from nearby HVAC ducts, traffic, or loose mounting)
• Sensor offline in the SmartThings app (dead battery or out of Z-Wave range)
• No events logged for a door that is used daily (sensor may have silently failed)
• Tamper alerts when no one has touched the sensor (mounting adhesive failing, sensor shifting)

Pro Detail

Specifications

| Spec | Basic (ZWA008) | Pro (ZWA012) | |------|----------------|--------------| | Z-Wave | Plus v2, 700 series | Plus v2, 700 series | | Security | S2 Authenticated | S2 Authenticated | | Frequency | 908.42 MHz (US/CA) | 908.42 MHz (US/CA) | | Detection type | Magnetic reed switch | Magnetic reed switch + tilt + tamper | | Gap tolerance | 22 mm (7/8 in) | 18 mm (3/4 in) | | Battery | CR123A (3V lithium) | CR123A (3V lithium) | | Battery life | ~2 years | ~2 years | | Operating temp | -10 to 50 C (14 to 122 F) | -10 to 50 C (14 to 122 F) | | Dimensions (body) | 72 x 28 x 22 mm | 76 x 28 x 24 mm | | Dimensions (magnet) | 35 x 16 x 14 mm | 35 x 16 x 14 mm | | Tamper detection | No | Yes | | Tilt detection | No | Yes (accelerometer) | | Recessed mount | No | Yes | | IP rating | Indoor | Indoor (Pro model suitable for sheltered outdoor with precautions) |

Z-Wave Configuration Parameters

| Parameter | Number | Default | Range | Description | |-----------|--------|---------|-------|-------------| | Reverse open/close | 1 | 0 | 0-1 | Swap open and close states | | Wake-up interval | - | 43200s | 600-86400 | How often the sensor checks for commands (12 hours default) | | Low battery threshold | 101 | 15 | 0-50 | Battery percentage at which low-battery alert fires | | Tamper alert cancellation | 3 | 0 | 0-1 | Pro only: auto-cancel tamper on re-mount (0=manual, 1=auto) |

Common Failure Modes

• Adhesive failure — In humid environments (bathrooms, basements), adhesive can degrade. Mount with screws in moisture-prone areas.
• Reed switch fatigue — After millions of cycles (decades of normal use), the reed switch can weaken. Replace the sensor when it becomes unreliable.
• Magnet weakening — Extremely rare with modern rare-earth magnets, but exposure to very high temperatures can demagnetize the companion piece.
• Battery corrosion — If a battery is left in a dead state for months, it can leak and corrode the contacts. Replace batteries promptly when SAM alerts.

Diagnostic Procedures

1. False "open" reading — Verify magnet alignment. Hold the magnet directly against the sensor body. If the status does not change to "closed," the reed switch may be stuck. Power cycle by removing the battery for 10 seconds.
2. No response to open/close — Check battery. If battery is good, try excluding and re-pairing the device. If the sensor still does not respond, the Z-Wave radio may have failed — replace the unit.
3. Tilt not detecting (Pro) — Ensure the sensor is mounted vertically on the garage door panel. The accelerometer requires a clear angular change (minimum 30 degrees) to trigger.
4. Tamper stuck active (Pro) — Check that the sensor is fully seated on its mounting plate. The tamper switch is a small mechanical button on the back that must be depressed when mounted.

Cost Guide

| Item | Price Range | Notes | |------|-------------|-------| | Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 7 Basic | $25 - $35 | Per sensor | | Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 7 Pro | $35 - $45 | Per sensor, includes tilt + tamper | | CR123A battery (2-pack) | $5 - $10 | Lithium, name-brand recommended | | Replacement adhesive strips | $3 - $5 | 3M Command-style strips | | Typical home coverage (5-8 sensors) | $125 - $360 | All exterior doors + select windows |

Shipshape Integration

Door and window sensors are key inputs for SAM's access monitoring and energy efficiency models. They provide the context layer that transforms raw HVAC and environmental data into actionable intelligence.

SAM Monitoring:

• SAM tracks every open/close event with timestamp and duration. Doors left open beyond a configurable threshold (default: 10 minutes for exterior doors) trigger an alert.
• SAM correlates door/window state with HVAC runtime. If the HVAC system is running hard while an exterior door is open, SAM identifies the energy waste and alerts the homeowner.
• In security mode, any door or window open event triggers an immediate notification.
• The Pro model's tamper detection feeds into SAM's security layer. Tamper events are always treated as high-priority alerts.

Home Health Score:

• Homes with monitored access points score higher on the security dimension of the Home Health Score.
• Frequent or prolonged exterior door openings in extreme weather negatively impact the energy efficiency dimension.
• Unmonitored exterior access points (doors or windows without sensors) are flagged as coverage gaps, slightly reducing the score.

Alert Routing:

• Open-too-long alerts route to the homeowner via push notification.
• Tamper alerts route to both homeowner and dealer as high-priority security events.
• Patterns of unusual access (doors opening at atypical hours) are flagged by SAM's intelligence layer for homeowner review.

Dealer Dashboard:

• Dealers see door/window sensor coverage for each managed home and can recommend additional sensors for unmonitored access points.
• Sensor health (battery, signal, last event) is tracked per device.
• Installation notes (mounting method, gap measurement) can be recorded for future service reference.