Pre-wiring for home security system

[opposablethumb]

Hi,

Can anyone offer suggestions about the type of wire and gauge that I should use to prewire for a basic home security system? I have a 1 storey house with a basement. I'm remodeling the basement and while I have everything ripped down to the studs I'd like to pre-wire for a possible future home security system.

I only plan on monitoring the exterior doors and a couple of windows. What kind of wire (how many conductors and gauge) do I need to run for the doors and window switches? And more importantly what kind of wire do I run to the keypads?

I presume that I run all the wires back to the location where the controller will be (which is in thebasement utility room, which has telephone access for alerts).

And lastly, any suggestions about where I can find the components (controller, keypads, switches, etc.)?

Thanks!

Daniel.

[HayZee518]

most of the wiring you'll find is of the closed loop system. the wire is a 24 gauge type twin lead. infrared sensors are wired into the closed loop. windows and doors use a normally closed magnetic switch (reed switch) and a magnet. reed switches are called active while infrared are called passive devices. check out allelectronics dot com for bargains for security systems. simplex fire and security are what most commercial establishments use.