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Outdoor Contact Sensor

Detecting the opening and closing of outdoor gates, entries, and exits

Written by Alex S

The Abode Outdoor Contact Sensor is a weatherproof door contact designed for outdoor use on gates, entries, exits, and more. Its powerful magnet tolerates a wider gap than standard indoor sensors, reducing false alarms. It works on metal surfaces and includes dual tamper protection on both the front and back covers.

TIP

You can use the Outdoor Contact Sensor to trigger CUE automations. For example, send a push notification whenever your gate opens, or turn on an outdoor light when an entry point is accessed.

What's in the box

• 1 x Outdoor Contact Sensor body (DC-32-EX)

• 1 x Magnet with mounting bracket and spacer

• 1 x Sensor mounting bracket

• 2 x AA L91 Lithium batteries (pre-installed)

• Screws, wall plugs, and adhesive tape for mounting

Parts overview

Part

What it does

1. Protective Cover

Covers the battery compartment on the front of the sensor. Removing it activates the Front Tamper Switch.

2. Battery Cover

Access point for the battery compartment

3. Front Tamper Switch

Activates when the protective cover is opened

4. LED Indicator

Shows device status, test mode activity, battery level, and tamper conditions

5. Extension Terminal

Not used or supported

6. Learn / Test Button

Press once to transmit a pairing code to the Hub or enter 3-minute Test Mode

7. Battery Compartment

Houses two AA L91 Lithium batteries

8. Wiring Hole

Used for extension terminal. Not used or supported

9. Back Tamper Switch

Activates when the sensor is removed from the mounting bracket

10. Hooks

Latch onto the mounting bracket latch holes to secure the sensor body

11. Latch Holes

Holes on the mounting bracket that the sensor hooks engage with

12. Knockouts

Thinner plastic areas on the mounting bracket that can be broken out for screw mounting

13. Breakaway Area

Section of the mounting bracket that detaches and remains on the wall if the sensor is forcibly removed, activating the Back Tamper Switch

14. Wiring Slot

Used for extension terminal. Not used or supported


LED status light guide

LED pattern

What it means

Off (normal operation)

The sensor is functioning correctly. No activation or fault.

Flashes on each activation (low battery)

Battery is low. The LED lights up every time the sensor opens or closes.

Flashes on tamper

A tamper switch has been triggered (cover opened or sensor removed)

Flashes on each activation (tamper ongoing)

A tamper condition is active. LED flashes every time the sensor is triggered until the condition is resolved.

Flashes on each activation (Test Mode)

Sensor is in Test Mode. LED flashes each time the sensor is activated.

Flashes every 4 seconds

Battery is fully exhausted. The sensor will stop all functions.

Pairing your Outdoor Contact Sensor

You will need your Abode Hub connected and the Abode app installed before pairing.

1. Make sure you have the latest version of the Abode app installed on your mobile device.

2. In the app, tap the Menu icon, then tap + Add Device.

3. Select "Door and Window Sensor", then "Outdoor Contact Sensor".

4. Unbox the sensor and pull the plastic battery tab from the side of the sensor, then tap Continue.

5. Press and release the Learn/Test Button on the back of the sensor. The LED will flash to confirm it is transmitting.

6. Once paired, the sensor will appear as Online in the app. Give your sensor a name and tap Next to finish.

TIP

After pairing, test your sensor by moving the magnet away from the sensor body. You should hear the Hub chime (if sounds are enabled) and see a door open event in the Abode app Timeline. Use this test to confirm the sensor is within wireless range before choosing a permanent mounting location.

Testing before you mount

Use Test Mode to confirm wireless range at your intended mounting location before installation.

1. Press and release the Learn/Test Button once to enter Test Mode. Test Mode is active for 3 minutes.

2. Move the magnet away from and back to the sensor body. The LED will flash each time it is activated.

3. Confirm that open and close events appear in the Abode app Timeline.

4. If no events are received, move the sensor closer to the Hub and re-test.

5. Each press of the Learn/Test Button resets the Test Mode timer to 3 minutes.

For a full walk test once the system is armed:

1. Put the Hub into Walk Test mode (refer to your Hub documentation for details).

2. Hold the sensor in your desired mounting location and press the Learn/Test Button to transmit a test signal.

3. If the Hub is within range, it will acknowledge the signal. Confirm before mounting.

Installing your Outdoor Contact Sensor

Placement tips

• Mount the sensor body on the fixed door frame or gate post, and the magnet on the moving door or gate

• The rib marks on the magnet and the sensor body must align with each other

• When the door or gate is closed, the gap between the magnet and the sensor body must be no more than 3 cm (approximately 1.2 inches)

• The sensor can be mounted on metal surfaces — the powerful magnet is designed to work with metal gates and frames

Mounting the sensor body

The sensor body mounts to the fixed frame using the included mounting bracket.

1. The mounting bracket has 3 knockouts where the plastic is thinner. Break out the appropriate knockouts for your screw positions.

2. Use the mounting bracket as a template to mark and drill holes in the wall or frame.

3. Insert the wall plugs into the drilled holes.

4. Fix the mounting bracket to the wall with the included screws.

5. Engage the hooks on the back of the sensor body into the latch holes on the mounting bracket, then push downward to lock.

6. Confirm the Back Tamper Switch is fully pressed against the Breakaway Area on the bracket.

7. Tighten the bottom fixing screws to secure the sensor body.

8. Replace the protective cover.

!

NOTE

The Back Tamper Switch must be fully pressed against the Breakaway Area of the mounting bracket. If the sensor is forcibly removed, the Breakaway Area detaches from the bracket and remains on the wall, keeping the tamper switch activated and triggering an alert. If the tamper switch is not fully engaged during installation, tampering may go undetected.

Mounting the magnet — screw mounting

1. Screw the magnet mounting bracket to the door or gate using the two supplied screws.

2. Attach the magnet to the mounting bracket.

TIP

The included magnet spacer can be used to improve alignment. When using the spacer, place it between the magnet and the mounting bracket with the side printed with black text facing the bracket.

Mounting the magnet — adhesive mounting

1. Clean the mounting surface thoroughly. It must be clean, dry, and smooth before applying the adhesive.

2. Apply the included double-sided tape to the back of the magnet.

3. Press the magnet firmly against the door or gate surface and hold for 30 seconds to ensure a secure bond.

Extension Terminal

The Extension Terminal is not used or supported.

Tamper protection

The Outdoor Contact Sensor has dual tamper protection — a Front Tamper Switch inside the protective cover, and a Back Tamper Switch on the back of the sensor body.

• Front Tamper Switch: activates when the protective cover on the front of the sensor is opened

• Back Tamper Switch: activates when the sensor body is removed from the mounting bracket. The Breakaway Area on the bracket detaches and remains on the wall, keeping the switch activated.

When a tamper condition is detected, a tamper signal is sent immediately to your Abode Hub, and the LED will flash. If the tamper condition continues, the LED will flash every time the sensor is activated until the condition is resolved.

TIP

If you need to remove or reposition the sensor, disarm your system first to prevent a tamper alert triggering an alarm.

Battery guide

The Outdoor Contact Sensor uses two AA L91 Lithium batteries. Always replace batteries with the correct size and voltage.

When the battery is low, a low battery signal is sent to your Hub and you will receive a notification in the Abode app. The LED will light up each time the sensor is activated under low battery conditions. When the battery is fully exhausted, all functions will stop and the LED will flash every 4 seconds.

Replacing the batteries

1. Remove the protective cover from the front of the sensor.

2. Open the battery compartment and remove the old batteries.

3. Press the Tamper Switch twice to fully discharge any remaining voltage before inserting new batteries.

4. Insert two new AA L91 Lithium batteries with the correct polarity.

5. Close the battery compartment and replace the protective cover.

!

NOTE

Press the Tamper Switch twice to discharge the sensor after removing old batteries. Do not skip this step — failing to discharge can cause pairing or connectivity issues with new batteries.

Technical specifications

Specification

Detail

Model

DC-32-EX

Sensor body dimensions

83.5 x 51.5 x 15 mm

Battery

2 x AA L91 Lithium (pre-installed, replaceable)

Communication

AbodeRF (433MHz)

Max magnet gap

3 cm (approximately 1.2 inches) when door is closed

Extension Terminal wire gauge

AWG 22 to 26

Extension Terminal max wire length

3 meters

Waterproof rating

IP66

Operating temperature

14°F to 140°F (-10°C to 60°C)

Operating humidity

Up to 85% non-condensing

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, CUE automations

Certifications

FCC, CE, IC, NOM

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