Security Wire what to use?

I would suggest that the system you are installing should not be an open issue as you should have hardware specified before designing and installing your wiring. That said, at least the ELK M1 keypads require 4 wires for the RS485 connection to the main security panel. The door and window sensors are typically 2 wires, if each zone is home run back to the central panel. One might use additional wires, so that the single cable can accomodate multiple zones of coverage. ie: you can wire the windows on a given room as one zone, and on the exterior door on another zone, and the motion sensor on a third zone. All via a single multiconductor cable running from that room back to the central panel.


Smokes and motion are typically more than two wires, but it depends on AC vs. DC power and what complies with your local code on how at least the smokes are interconnected or not.


Since your walls are still open, now is the time to square this away (as you know and are trying to do). You might even want to consider hiring a CI / security specialist to walk the plan with you as this all is very locality and system specific. You will kick yourself in the butt for not getting the appropriate wires in after the drywall is up.

Use 4 conductor solid for motion detectors and doors/windows. The cost between 2 conductor and 4 conductor is negligible. I used solid conductor copper because it made for a better connection when using beans, and the wire was easier to manage when wiring up panels or stuffing contacts into windows or doors. Most other alarm guys use stranded wire.


Run a CAT 5 to your keypad. Though they only use two pairs, one pair is data. Many alarm systems have a zone or two and a spare relay on the keypad.


You need to pick an alarm panel before you wire and decide of you''re going to wire for 2wire or 4wire smoke detectors. They need to be a larger gauge since they are typically looped, usually 18 gauge. You run from one panel to the first smoke, then to the next smoke, and on till the end. Do not do 4 or 5 smokes with a 22 gauge wire, that's to small gauge.


As for everything else except smokes, 'home run' all cabling. One wire for each door and window. This provides the most flexibility and serviceability, and no splicing will be done in in-accessible areas.