The IDS Doorsense XWave2 Wireless Door Contact is a slimline magnetic sensor that detects when a door or window opens, sending an instant signal to a compatible IDS XWave2 or Onyyx alarm panel. It uses a reed switch paired with a magnet: when the two separate, the contact transmits an alert over a secure 868–869MHz wireless link, no cabling required between the door and the control panel.
The IDS Doorsense XWave2 Wireless Door Contact is a two-way wireless entry sensor built for intruder detection on doors, windows, gates, and cabinets. Unlike basic one-way sensors, it communicates bi-directionally with the panel, so the system can confirm signal receipt and monitor the device’s status rather than transmit blind.
Technical Specifications
- Frequency: 868–869MHz two-way wireless transmission
- Detection method: Built-in reed switch with external magnet
- Compatibility: IDS XWave2 and Onyyx wireless alarm panels
- Power source: 2 x AAA 1.5V batteries (included)
- Battery life: Approximately 2 years under normal use
- Range: Up to 500m line of sight to the receiving panel
- Additional input: External connector for wiring a third-party device (e.g., a shock sensor or extra contact) through the same unit
- Transmission: Supervised, meaning the panel checks in periodically to confirm the sensor is still active
Why Installers Choose This Sensor
Wireless door contacts solve a practical installation problem: running cable through finished walls, door frames, or rented premises is disruptive and often not permitted. The IDS Doorsense XWave2 avoids that entirely.
- No drilling through frames or walls for cable runs, which matters for tenants and heritage buildings alike
- Supervised transmission reduces false confidence, since the panel flags the sensor if it goes silent rather than assuming it’s fine
- External connector lets one unit double up, covering a door contact and a secondary sensor without adding a second wireless device to the network
- 500m range comfortably covers most residential plots and mid-sized commercial premises without a repeater
Deployment Scenarios
On a typical Nairobi residential installation, the IDS Doorsense XWave2 Wireless Door Contact is fitted to the main entrance, back door, and any ground-floor windows, all reporting to a single Onyyx or XWave2 panel. For gated compounds, installers often add units to the perimeter gate and DSQ (domestic staff quarters) door, since these are common secondary entry points that get overlooked.
In commercial settings — offices, retail units, warehouses in industrial zones like Nairobi’s Baba Dogo or Mombasa’s Changamwe — the sensor is typically paired with the panel’s arm/disarm schedule so staff movement after hours triggers an immediate alert rather than waiting for a patrol check.
Kenya-Specific Considerations
Battery-powered wireless sensors carry a real advantage in areas affected by KPLC load shedding or unstable grid supply: the door contact itself keeps working on battery power even when mains power to the panel is interrupted, provided the panel has its own backup supply. This makes the IDS Doorsense XWave2 a sound choice for compounds where power outages are frequent, since perimeter detection doesn’t depend on continuous electricity to the sensor itself.
For coastal installations in Mombasa or humid environments generally, installers should check the door contact’s seating regularly, as humidity can affect adhesive mounting over time. A screw-fixed installation is more reliable than adhesive-only mounting in these conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the IDS Doorsense XWave2 Wireless Door Contact need a cable run?
No. It transmits wirelessly to the panel over 868–869MHz, so only the panel itself needs a power and, where used, a backup battery connection.
How long does the battery last?
Around 2 years under typical use, depending on how often the door opens and closes and the strength of the wireless link to the panel.
Can it work with a Hikvision or Dahua CCTV system?
Not directly. It’s built for IDS XWave2 and Onyyx alarm panels specifically. Integration with a CCTV system would need to happen at the panel or a separate automation layer, not through this sensor.
What happens if the sensor loses connection to the panel?
Because the transmission is supervised, the panel will flag a fault if it stops receiving check-ins from the sensor, rather than silently failing.
Related Products
Pair the IDS Doorsense XWave2 Wireless Door Contact with an XWave2 or Onyyx control panel, a passive infrared motion detector, and a backup battery for the panel to build out full perimeter coverage.
