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What battery does a security sensor take?

In these alarm systems, a door or window sensor takes a CR2032 coin battery or a CR123A, and some motion detectors take 2 AA. The battery can change between generations of the same sensor.

Which sensor?

The battery it takes

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Sensor batteries by model

Security sensor batteries, from each maker
SensorBatteryBattery life, maker’s figure
SimpliSafe Entry SensorOne CR2032Up to 5 years
SimpliSafe Motion Sensor Gen 2One CR123AUp to 4 years
SimpliSafe Motion Sensor Gen 1One CR123AUp to 5 years
Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Gen)Two CR2032Up to 3 years
Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (1st Gen)One CR123AUp to 3 years
Ring Outdoor Contact SensorTwo AANot listed
Ring Alarm Motion Detector (2nd Gen)Two AANot listed
Ring Alarm Motion Detector (1st Gen)One CR123ANot listed
ADT Command Door/Window Sensor (SiXCTA)One CR123ANot listed

From SimpliSafe support, Ring Help and the ADT Support Center.

Before you open a sensor

Ring says to disarm Ring Alarm first, then slide the sensor off its mounting bracket. It warns that a battery put in the wrong way round could damage the device, so match the plus and minus symbols.

If a SimpliSafe sensor doesn’t come back online after a battery change, SimpliSafe says it may have been offline for too long.

Keep coin batteries away from children

The National Capital Poison Center says that if anyone swallows a battery, immediately call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666 or your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Don’t delay. Immediate treatment decreases severity.

Common questions

Where can I get a battery for an ADT sensor?

ADT says you can order a CR123A for its Command door and window sensor through MyADT.com or by calling (800) ADT-ASAP.

Where we get our information from

From SimpliSafe support, Ring Help, the ADT Support Center and the National Capital Poison Center, read on October 25, 2026. Checked against published data from National Capital Poison Center, SimpliSafe, Ring and ADT.

See all 4 sources
  • National Capital Poison Center, Button battery ingestion (poison.org/battery)
  • SimpliSafe Support: replacing the Entry Sensor, Motion Sensor Gen 2 and Motion Sensor Gen 1 batteries
  • Ring Help: Contact Sensor and Motion Detector batteries; Contact Sensor (2nd Gen); Technical Specifications for Ring Alarm Devices
  • ADT Support Center, ADT Command Wireless Door/Window Sensor SiXCTA

Battery sizes come from battery makers' datasheets and device makers' own manuals and help pages. Check your device's manual or the old battery before you buy. If anyone may have swallowed a battery, call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666 or your poison center at 1-800-222-1222 straight away.