Description
Get instant mobile notifications when windows and doors are opened in your home. This sensor is incredibly easy to install with no tools required, mounting securely to your door and window frames. A pre-installed 3V lithium battery is included to get you set up immediately.
Manage your Ring Alarm Contact Sensor and other Ring products seamlessly with the official Ring app.
Key Features of Z-Wave Plus
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Extended Range: Reaches up to 150 metres in clear, open air.
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Better Battery Life: Delivers up to 50% longer battery life for sensors and remotes.
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Higher Bandwidth: Provides 250% more data throughput for faster communication.
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Stronger Security: Features S2 encryption and SmartStart for quick, secure QR-code pairing.
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Backwards Compatibility: Works seamlessly with older, classic Z-Wave equipment.
What's in the Box?
- 1 x Contact sensor body
- 1 x Standard size magnet and bracket
- 1 x Small magnet for difficult areas
- 2 x Holding brackets (makes it much easier to change batteries)
- 2 x 3M double-sided sticking tape
- 1 x CR123A Battery (lasting up to 3 years - depending on traffic)
- 4 x Mounting screws and wall plugs
- Instructions
Smart Hub Compatibility List
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Ring Alarm Base Station (1st & 2nd Gen): This is the official hub. It provides the most seamless integration, instant mobile alerts, and automatic ring tones when doors open.
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Samsung SmartThings Hub: You can pair the sensor directly to SmartThings. However, because it is a Ring-branded device, you will likely need to install a custom Z-Wave Edge Driver on your SmartThings account to get it recognised correctly.
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Home Assistant (with a Z-Wave USB Dongle): If you run a local smart home server via Home Assistant, the sensor will connect easily using a Z-Wave stick (such as a Zooz or Aeotec dongle). It is highly praised by the community for local, lag-free automation.
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Hubitat Elevation: This local automation hub natively supports Z-Wave devices. The 1st Gen Ring contact sensor can be joined to Hubitat to trigger advanced local rules and lighting automation.
❌ Incompatible Hubs
It will not connect directly to hubs that rely solely on Zigbee, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, such as:
- Philips Hue Bridge (Zigbee)
- Apple HomePod / Apple TV (Thread/Wi-Fi)
- Standard Amazon Echo speakers (unless it's an Echo Show 10 or Echo Studio that acts as a Zigbee hub—even then, it lacks Z-Wave)
Connecting & Pairing Instructions
To connect the Ring Contact Sensor (1st Gen) to a new hub, you must first clear any old data from its memory and then trigger the pairing mode.
Note: For 1st-time installation, skip straight to Step 3.
Step 1: Put your hub into "Z-Wave Exclusion" mode
- If the sensor was previously connected to a Ring system or another hub, it will refuse to connect to a new one. You must wipe its memory first.
- Open your smart hub's app (SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, etc.).
- Navigate to your Z-Wave Controller/Network settings.
- Select Z-Wave Exclusion (sometimes called "Remove Device").
Step 2: Clear the sensor's memory (Exclude) - Skip if brand new
- Remove the sensor from its backplate.
- Locate the pinhole on the back of the sensor (near the tamper switch).
- Using a paperclip or a SIM ejector tool, press and release the button inside the pinhole.
- Your hub's app should confirm that a "device has been excluded" or removed.
Step 3: Put your hub into "Pairing" mode
- In your hub's app, select Add Device, Scan for Devices, or Z-Wave Inclusion.
Step 4: Pair the sensor (Include)
- Press and release the same pinhole button on the back of the sensor.
- The LED light on the front of the sensor should begin flashing rapidly.
- Once the hub finds the device, follow the on-screen prompts in your app to complete setup and rename it.
