ADT Security Installation

Key Takeaways

• ADT will install each device and connect them to your ADT Command control panel to make sure everything is working properly
• Use the free security consultation service to identify vulnerabilities and build a system that keeps your home fully protected
• Once the installation is complete, the installer will walk you through your system and answer any questions you have about its use

ADT’s free security consultation

Do you know the best place to put a motion detector? How many outdoor security cameras do you need? Should you even get a security camera?

An ADT security expert will answer these questions and more during your free security consultation. You can contact the provider to request and set up a time for your risk assessment.

During the consultation, the security expert will walk through and around your home to evaluate your security risks. They will identify any vulnerabilities and make recommendations for the products you need to cover them.

If you have any questions about the type and number of devices you need, this is a great time to ask them. Be sure to let the expert know if you want to add home automation. They will chat with you to understand what you’re looking for. You can then get recommendations for the products that will best suit your needs.

As you might expect, the representative will try to get you to purchase all of the devices they recommend. They are trained to stick to the products you actually need, based on your risks, but it will still be a bit of a sales presentation.

If you’re worried about being pressured or overwhelmed during this discussion, prepare by figuring out the max amount you want to spend on your security system. You can use this number to make the number of products you choose more manageable. The security expert can also use this limit to design a system that will keep you as safe as possible without breaking the bank.

Can I install an ADT system myself?

ADT requires professional installation with every system. It may be frustrating to be locked into the service, but it also offers several benefits. 

First, your installation appointment may be scheduled the same day as your purchase or by the next day. The technician will bring all of your equipment to your home to set up, minimizing your vulnerability to security threats.

Some devices aren’t hard to install, but many can be a bit tricky. If you’ve purchased smart home equipment, for instance, the tech will make sure each device is connected to your smart home network. Plus, if you choose a wired system, you won’t have to mess with your home’s wiring.

ADT has designed its installations to provide white glove service. You may be working with installers from corporate or from your local ADT dealer. Either way, you can trust that they’ll be knowledgeable and professional. Allowing strangers into your home isn’t always comfortable, but you can have confidence that your installer will respect you and your home.

The length of your installation will vary depending on the equipment you ordered. A simple system may only take about an hour to install. For a wired installation or a large system, however, you should anticipate several hours. The time of arrival includes a two hour window, so factor that in as well.

As you prepare for your installation, here’s a look at what to expect from each device’s set up.

ADT Command touchscreen control panel

This device is the hub of your entire system and is included with every purchase. The control panel allows you to:

• Arm/disarm the security system
• Adjust system settings
• Access, control, and adjust any connected smart devices
• Create automated routines
• View live and recorded videos from your camera
• Initiate panic or duress responses
• Contact the ADT professional monitoring team

The installer will also use this panel to connect each device to your system.

Before installing it, the technician will identify the best spot for it. For easy access, they will place it in a central location, typically near your front entrance. 

Even if you have a wireless system, the ADT Command panel will be wired into your home’s electrical system. The installer will drill into the wall and connect it to your wiring. Both the hole and the wiring will be hidden by the device.

You can also add a secondary touchscreen control panel for additional convenience. This device is more like a tablet and designed to be carried with you, so it won’t need to be installed.

Door and window sensors

Every security system includes these small sensors. Despite its simplicity, this device is the most common way to detect intrusions. 

Each sensor includes two pieces, most including a peel-and-stick adhesive on the back. Others will need to be screwed in. For doors, one piece will be attached to the door and the other placed on the door jamb so it lines up parallel to the other piece. When the door opens and the pieces separate, the interrupted signal will trip your security system if it’s armed.

For windows, the technician will install the sensor on the bottom of the window or along the side. When the window is opened, either sliding up or moving out, the sensor will trigger the alarm.

You can purchase enough sensors to cover every door and window on the ground floor or just enough to cover the most vulnerable locations. The installer will identify the best placements for each sensor and attach them securely.

Motion sensors

Motion sensors watch for movement when your house is supposed to be empty. To catch intruders quickly, they have to be placed in a central location, near the most likely entry points.

The installer will evaluate your home to find the placement that offers the most coverage. They may recommend putting the sensor in a corner facing a room or hallway, or mounting it on the wall. 

These devices use infrared sensors to detect motion, so you don’t want to place them near a door or window. The light and heat from outside will block their range and prevent them from reacting to movement.

Typically, the sensor will be placed about seven feet up from the ground and angled slightly to cover the full area. It is designed to ignore anything under 85 lbs or two feet in height, but you can adjust the sensitivity setting to prevent false alarms.

You can always use different settings to arm your system without activating the motion sensor when a pet is loose in the house.

Carbon monoxide detectors

Your home should already have carbon monoxide detectors, but ADT’s products offer additional connectivity. These devices connect to your security system so the monitoring team can quickly send emergency services to your home.

If you choose a wireless CO detector, the technician will find the best placement and attach them to the wall or ceiling. These devices use your Wi-Fi signal to integrate with your security system, so the technician will also set it up through the Command ADT control panel.

For wired models, the installer will connect the device to the wiring system that is already used by your current detectors. If your home doesn’t have the right wiring, you will have to choose wireless devices or have an electrician install a new wiring system.

Your carbon monoxide detectors won’t replace your existing devices. Instead they’ll make sure your home security system knows about every emergency so you and the monitoring team can act quickly.

Smoke detectors

Like CO detectors, your home requires smoke alarms to be compliant with safety codes. You can support these detectors with ADT’s smart devices to integrate them with your security system.

These products detect both smoke and heat, alerting the monitoring center so they can call for help.

ADT only offers wireless smoke detectors. The installer will find the best areas to install them, which may or may not be in the same locations as your old devices. Once they’re installed, the technician will use the control panel to connect them to the rest of your system.

Flood sensors

Numerous appliances and areas of your home are prone to leaks. Your dishwasher can break mid-cycle and flood your kitchen with water. A poorly designed basement may fill with rain every time a storm rolls through. You might even discover that your child got a little too enthusiastic in the bath.

To minimize water damage and the costly repairs it requires, you have to catch leaks fast. ADT’s flood sensors immediately alert you to excess levels of moisture and show you where to find the problem.

The installer will place these devices in the areas with the greatest risk. You can cover all of your appliances, bathrooms, sinks, and pipes with flood sensors or just choose the most important spots. 

Designed to be installed easily, even in hard-to-reach places, these water alarms are small and inconspicuous. They communicate with your system over the internet, so the technician will connect them to the control panel after they’re in place.

Indoor Nest Cam

Indoor cameras let you watch over your home remotely. The technician will work with you to make sure it is in the best location. They will make sure that it can capture anyone that enters your home uninvited. If you want to use the device to watch over pets or people at home as well, they will find a spot that covers both needs.

This camera includes a 10-foot power cord that will need to be plugged into an outlet. The technician will take that requirement into account when choosing the location.

The included stand makes placement easy. If you have a piece of furniture, such as a shelving unit, counter, or TV stand, near the selected spot, you can ask them to place the camera on it and adjust the angle as needed. 

The Indoor Nest Cam can also be mounted on the wall if needed or preferred. The installer will screw the wall plate in place and attach the camera to the base. They will then find the angle that offers the best coverage.

They will then connect it to the control panel and your ADT Control app so you can control it with your full system.

Outdoor Nest Cam

ADT allows customers to choose either wired or wireless outdoor cameras. 

The wired Outdoor Nest Cam will be plugged into an outdoor outlet using its 25-foot power cord. The installer will either install it near an outlet or drill a hole to pass the wire through so they can plug it into an indoor outlet, such as one in the garage.

The wireless camera uses a battery for power so you won’t have to worry about power cords. That said, you can purchase a weatherproof power cord that plugs into the camera’s USB port and connects to an outlet to keep the battery charged at all times.

Both cameras will include a magnetic base. If you have a magnetic surface, such as a galvanized steel gutter, the installer can attach it there without screws. If not, they will mount a metal wall plate to the outside of your house and attach the base there.

The camera also connects with a mounting magnet. Once the base is in place, the installer will attach the camera and adjust it to find the right angle.

Before leaving, they will connect the camera to the ADT Control app and the control panel.

Outdoor Nest Cam with floodlights

The Outdoor Nest Cam with floodlights is only available in a wired model. It will replace an existing floodlight, so the technician will have to connect it to your home’s electrical system. They will turn the power to the light off at the fuse box or the circuit breaker, so make sure it is accessible.

Once it’s wired in, they will attach the mounting plate and make sure the camera is at a good angle. The tech will then connect it to your control panel and app so you can control and adjust the device.

Nest Doorbell

You can select a wired or wireless option for this doorbell camera. You will get the same device either way, but the way it is installed will vary.

For the wireless version, for example, the technician has the freedom to find the perfect location. They will use the wall plate to install it flat to the wall or add the included wedge to set it up in the corner. Next, they will make sure it has the best angle for recording.

The wired device will need to replace your current doorbell, so it will have to be installed in the same location. The installer will turn off the power to the doorbell and chime through your breaker or fuse box, so make sure it is accessible. They will then disconnect and remove the old device.

Using the existing wiring, the technician will connect the video doorbell to your home’s electrical system. This keeps the battery charged at all times. By connecting the device to the chime wiring, you can also continue using the existing doorbell chime.

The Nest Doorbell will then be synced with your security system.

Google Nest Thermostat

Enjoy more control over your HVAC system with a Nest Thermostat. The installer will replace your existing thermostat, but won’t affect your cooling or heating system.

Before starting, the technician will shut off the power to your HVAC system and thermostat. They may need to access multiple breakers, so make sure your breaker boxes are accessible.

They will remove the existing device’s cover, disconnect the wiring, and remove the base. Next, the installer will screw the Nest base into the wall and pull the wires through. After connecting the device to the wiring, they will attach the display. 

Once it is connected and the power is turned back on, they will set it up in the app and control panel.

Smart locks

Smart locks replace your front door’s current locks, so the technician will start by removing the current deadbolt and latch.

Next, they will place the new lock’s latch inside the door and secure it with the mounting plate, which is screwed onto the outside. After connecting the mechanism to the hardware with the power cable, they will secure it to the door. Adding the batteries and cover are the final step.

Once it’s in place, the installer will sync it with the rest of the system.

Smart plugs

These devices just plug into an outlet, so you will only need to tell the technician where to place them. You can then plug your lights or small appliances into the smart plug to connect them to the security system.

Smart switches

If you want to control wired lights through your smart system, you will need to replace their controls with smart switches. 

The installer will first shut off the power to the room they’ll be working in and will need to access the breaker box. They can then remove the current switch and disconnect the wires. 

Taking the smart switch, they will connect the wires and screw the switches and wall plate in place. Finally, the tech can turn the power back on to make sure the switch is working. If it looks good, they will connect the device to the rest of the system.

Garage door controller

The Garage Door Remote Controller includes two parts, the tilt sensor and the controller. 

The technician will mount the tilt sensor onto the garage door using one of two methods. You can choose to screw a mounting plate into the door before attaching the sensor. Or, you can have them attach the sensor directly to the door with double-sided tape.

Before installing the controller, the technician will turn off the power to the door to make sure it doesn’t open during the install. They will attach the device either to the ceiling near the opener or onto the opener itself. Once it has been mounted, they will plug it into the nearby outlet.

After turning the power on, the technician will test it to make sure it’s working properly and communicating with the ADT Command panel.