Checklist for installing OPTEX Beam Towers

Beam towers are an important part of perimeter security. They house infrared beam sensors in a weatherproof, tamper-resistant enclosure, protecting the devices from vandalism, harsh environments, and alignment issues. By installing them correctly, you ensure reliable detection and a professional-looking finish to your security system.

Our tech team have put together a useful checklist to getting the installation right:

1. Choose the right tower for your site

OPTEX beam towers are available in different configurations:

• Single-sided (STW): Sensors on one side

• Double-sided (TWD): Sensors on both sides

• Wall-mount (STWM): Mounted directly to a wall

Towers also come in different heights, most commonly 2m or 3m. Match the type and height to your site layout and coverage needs.

2. Select the right beams

Towers can hold a range of OPTEX infrared beams:

• SL-200QDP-BT: up to 60m

• SL-350QDP-BT: up to 100m

• SL-650QDP-BT: up to 200m

Always select beams based on the distance between towers to avoid blind spots. 

3. Select the necessary accessories

Each tower includes tamper switches, mounting plates, and a motherboard. For sites with challenging conditions, you may need optional accessories:

• 12V / 24V heaters for cold climates

• Cooling fans for hot climates

• Pressure switches for harsh environments

Check the site environment before installation to ensure you have what you need and install the beams and accessory inside of the tower ahead of installation.

4. Choose the correct tower location

When installing the tower, placement is just as important as the build itself. Poor placement can cause false alarms, blind spots, or make the system easier to bypass. Keep in mind the following tips:

• Avoid uneven terrain or obstacles directly in front of the beam line, as these can block or deflect the signal.

• Install towers where the beam path is clear and consistent across the protected area.

• Don’t place beams too close to vegetation such as bushes or trees, as growth and movement in the wind can cause unwanted alarms.

Wrong Installation

Correct Installation

5. Install the tower

• Securely mount the tower to the floor or wall.

• Connect power and alarm outputs.

• Align the beams so detection zones overlap correctly. The key success of a reliable active infrared intrusion system relies on the accuracy of the beam or beam tower alignment. If the transmitting ‘beams’ and the receiving ‘beam sensors’ are not properly aligned, there is a risk of severe environmental interference from fog and sunlight, even more so if the beams are 100m or 200m apart. When installing double sided beam towers around a perimeter, our technical team recommends mounting the corner beam towers at a 45-degree angle on the ground, this allows the beam mounted inside the tower a clear view and gives the installer some flexibility for alignment.
• If you are using a floor mount enclosure, the same principle applies: you should dig a 45-degree angled square in the ground to install the ground bracket. For a more efficient method, our tech team highly recommends using the TW SSL  an adjustable mounting plate specifically designed for our Smart Line Beam series. The Smart Line beam can be fixed on to the  TW SSL then the plate can be clipped in to the beam tower. Using this method, alignment can be easily facilitate d by simply adjusting the plate up or down in the grooves to set it at the right height.

• Fit the cover and test tamper functions.

6. Wire the beams and accessories

• OPTEX beam towers can run on either 12V or 24V power. Make sure the heater, fan, and power supply all match the same voltage setting.

• On the motherboard, connect the loop wire to +12V or +24V depending on your power supply.

• Alarm outputs: Use AL1 and AL2 terminals for alarm connections.

• Tamper and anti-climb outputs come from the sensors on the tower.

• If using the DQ (Disqualification) output: it activates during poor weather when the beam strength drops but is not completely interrupted. You can wire this either as an alarm bypass or send it as a trouble signal to your control panel.

7. Always test your set up

Before finishing, confirm that:

• Beams are aligned and detecting properly.

• Tamper switches activate when covers are opened.

• Accessories such as heaters or fans are functioning.