This article is a guide for new Alarms. Refer to this article if you have classic Alarms. See New Alarms vs Classic Alarms if you are unsure which version of Alarms you have.
Verkada wireless hubs and sensors communicate over a proprietary sub-GHz wireless communication protocol. This custom protocol operates at 915 MHz (US, Canada) and was built to maximize security, range, and battery life.
Our wireless signals are encrypted using AES-128. Through direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) technology, Verkada's technology prevents signal jamming and other attacks, which can impact competitor systems.
Wireless sensor specs
SKU | Description | Line of sight | Battery Life | Power |
BR35 | Water Leak | 300ft (90m) | Up to 5 yrs | 1x CR123A |
BR33 | Panic Button | 300ft (90m) | Up to 5 yrs | 1x CR123A |
BR32 | Motion | 300ft (90m) | Up to 5 yrs | 2x CR123A |
BR31 | Door | 300ft (90m) | Up to 10 Years | 2x CR123A |
Real-world range depends on various factors, including walls and their material, noise, installation position, etc.
Compatible Alarms devices
Wireless sensors need to connect to a hub to communicate. See below for a list of compatible Alarms devices for wireless sensors.
BE32 Alarm Expander
BE32 Alarm Expander
The BE32 supports up to 8 wired zone inputs, a siren/strobe output, and up to 160 wireless sensors when connected to a BP52 via RS-485. The unobstructed line-of-sight range is up to 300 ft (91.44m).
BK22 Alarm Keypad
BK22 Alarm Keypad
The BK22 alarm keypad supports up to 160 wireless sensors when connected via RS-485 to the BP52 or via PoE when both devices are on the same local LAN. The unobstructed line-of-sight range is up to 300 ft (91.44m).
BP52 Alarm Panel
BP52 Alarm Panel
The BP52 Alarm Panel is required for wireless sensor connectivity. This panel supports 32 wired sensors directly connected to the device and acts as a wireless hub as well for support of up to 160 wireless sensors. The unobstructed line-of-sight range is up to 300 ft (91.44m).
WH52 Wireless Hub
WH52 Wireless Hub
The WH52 Alarms Hub supports up to 160 wireless sensors when connected via the same local network as the BP52. The unobstructed line-of-sight range is up to 300 ft (91.44m).
WH32 Wireless Repeater
WH32 Wireless Repeater
The WH32 supports up to 160 wireless sensors when connected back the a BP52 via RS485. The unobstructed line-of-sight range is up to 300 ft (91.44m).
Configure wireless sensors
BR35 Wireless Water Leak Sensor
BR35 Wireless Water Leak Sensor
The BR35 is powered by 1 CR123A lithium battery and has a battery life of up to 5 years.
Command configuration
Configure the range between the magnet and door sensor up to 2 inches:
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms
.Select your Alarms site.
In the left navigation, click Devices
.Click your sensor to view the Device Settings.
Here you will be able to configure a context camera and toggle the device muting.
Test the BR35
After adding the sensor to Command and assigning it to an alarm site with a BP52 panel, go to Devices > Activity to view BR35 events.
Simulate a leak by bridging the two contacts with a metal screwdriver to test the sensor.
LED Behavior
A green LED will turn on when water is detected. The light will stay on as long as water is still detected.
See the BR35 Install Guide for physical installation instructions.
BR33 Panic Button
BR33 Panic Button
The BR33 wireless panic sensor is powered by 1 CR123A lithium batteries and has a battery life of up to 5 years.
Command configuration
Configure the range between the magnet and door sensor up to 2 inches:
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms
.Select your Alarms site.
In the left navigation, click Devices
.Click your sensor to view the Device Settings.
Here you will be able to configure a context camera and toggle the device muting
Test the BR33
After adding the sensor to Command and assigning it to an alarm site with a BP52 panel, go to Devices > Activity to view BR35 events.
By default, BR33 panic buttons won’t trigger an alarm if the partition is disarmed. Assign them to a partition with a 24/7 always-armed schedule during deployment to ensure proper functionality.
See the BR33 configuration page for more information.
Led Behavior
Led off: Default state
Led flashing: Panic button pressed, but the hub has not received a signal
Led on for 1 minute: Panic button pressed and signal received by hub
See the BR33 install guide for physical installation instructions.
BR32 Wireless Motion Sensor
BR32 Wireless Motion Sensor
The BR32 is powered by 2 CR123A lithium batteries and has a battery life of up to 5 years. The sensor uses passive infrared (PIR) to detect changes in infrared light with a 90° horizontal field of view and 35 ft (10m) detection range. Pet/animal-resistant up to 80 lb (36 kg).
See the BR32 Install Guide for physical installation instructions.
Test the BR32
After installing the batteries, the motion sensor goes into walk test mode. In test mode, the green LED:
Turns on when motion is detected.
Turns off after 5 seconds with no detected motion.
While in normal operation, the green LED:
Does not turn on when motion is detected.
Flashes rapidly 2 times every 2 minutes to indicate low battery.
After 10 minutes in test mode, the device returns to normal operation.
BR31 Wireless Door Sensor
BR31 Wireless Door Sensor
The BR31 is powered by 2 CR123A lithium batteries and has a battery life of up to 10 years. Configurable door gap width up to 2 in (5cm) to support different installation requirements
An optional configuration as a universal transmitter allows you to use internally wired terminals to convert signals from a separate 2-wire sensor into wireless signals that can be received by a wireless hub device (BP52, BK22, BE32, WH32, WH52).
See the BR31 Install Guide for physical installation instructions.
Command configuration
Configure the range between the magnet and door sensor up to 2 inches:
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms
.Select your Alarms site.
In the left navigation, click Devices
.Click your sensor to view the Device Settings.
Under Sensitivity, set the sensitivity for the sensor. More movement means the magnet can be further away from the door. Minimal movement indicates that the magnet must be close to the door.
(Optional) Configure additional settings, as necessary:
Universal Transmitter Mode—Toggle on and select the Normal State to transmit any signal wired into the sensor back to the wireless hub.
Once changed, you must open and close the door to change its state so that the sensor can reflect the change made in Verkada Command.
Test the BR31
Press the top button to enable test mode. In test mode, the green LED:
Turns on when the sensor is separated from the magnet (door open)
Turns off when the sensor is brought close to the magnet (door closed)
While in normal operation, the green LED:
Does not turn on when the sensor is separated from the magnet
Flashes rapidly 2 to 3 times every 2 minutes to indicate low battery
After 10 minutes in test mode, the device returns to normal operation.
Cellular Backup Module
Cellular Backup Module
The ACC-CEL-LTE-2 cellular backup module is a plug-and-play solution powered by a USB 2.0 connection to the BP52 alarm panel. This module provides a multiple network LTE connection (AT&T and T-Mobile) with automatic failover to the best available network. An unlimited data plan for alarm signaling is included in the license.
Test cellular failover
Unplug the Ethernet cable from the BP52.
Verify the hub LED transitions from solid blue to blinking blue and finally back to solid blue.
Initiate a trigger from any wireless or wired sensor and check if Command has received the event.
Prefer to see it in action? Check out the video tutorial.
Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.