ELK Products ELK-319GB Glass Break Sensor
The ELK-319GB is a microphone-based glass break sensor built for integrators who need a straightforward acoustic detector that mounts fast and works with either wall or ceiling placement. Measuring a compact 3.9" x 2.75" x 1.5", the ELK-319GB (often searched as ELK 319GB) fits into corners, above door frames, or on ceilings covering a room's glazed openings without competing for space with other perimeter hardware. It's a component-level device — designed to be wired into a compatible alarm panel or zone expander as part of a larger intrusion detection design rather than to operate standalone.
Overview
Glass break sensors solve a specific problem that door and window contacts don't: they catch an intruder who breaks a pane without opening the sash or frame. The ELK-319GB uses a built-in microphone to listen for the acoustic signature of breaking glass, giving you volumetric coverage of a room's windows from a single mounting point instead of a contact on every pane. That's a real labor and materials savings on rooms with multiple windows or large storefront glazing.
Key Features
- Microphone-based detection: The onboard mic listens for the frequency signature of breaking glass, so one ELK-319GB can cover multiple windows in its listening range instead of requiring a contact sensor on each pane — fewer devices, less wire run, faster install.
- Dual mount type (wall or ceiling): The ELK-319GB is rated for both wall and ceiling mounting, which gives you flexibility to place it wherever the acoustic coverage is best — corner-mounted for a bank of windows, or ceiling-mounted for center-of-room coverage in retail and office spaces.
- Compact 3.9" x 2.75" x 1.5" footprint: Small enough to mount discreetly near a ceiling line or upper wall without becoming a visual distraction in finished commercial space.
- Three-hole mounting pattern: A dedicated 3-hole mount means a stable, deliberate install — no improvised anchoring, and it sits flush and secure once fastened.
- Pull-tab battery isolation: The battery ships isolated behind a pull tab, so the unit stays at full battery charge from the moment it's boxed until the installer pulls the tab at commissioning — no battery drain sitting in a warehouse or on a truck before install day.
- Manufacturer warranty coverage: Backed by a manufacturer warranty, giving integrators a documented path for defect claims on a device that's typically mounted out of easy reach once commissioned.
Integration & Compatibility
As a component sensor, the ELK-319GB is intended to wire into a compatible alarm panel or zone expansion module rather than run independently — confirm zone/input compatibility with your panel before specifying it on a job. Because it's microphone-based rather than contact-based, it's a natural complement to door/window contacts on the same zone plan: contacts catch someone opening a window, the ELK-319GB catches someone breaking one. For broader intrusion and perimeter design work, pairing acoustic sensors like the ELK-319GB with a documented zone plan keeps troubleshooting simple down the line — worth reviewing during system design rather than after cabling is closed up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the ELK-319GB be mounted on a ceiling instead of a wall?
A: Yes. The ELK-319GB is rated for both wall and ceiling mounting, so you can position it based on where acoustic coverage of the glazing is strongest.
Q: How does the ELK-319GB detect a break-in?
A: It uses a built-in microphone to listen for the acoustic signature of breaking glass, rather than requiring a physical contact on each window.
Q: How is the ELK-319GB mounted?
A: It uses a three-hole mounting pattern for a secure, flush install on a wall or ceiling surface.
Q: Does the ELK-319GB come with the battery pre-installed and active?
A: The battery is installed but isolated with a pull tab, so it holds full charge until the installer removes the tab during commissioning.
Q: What's the size of the ELK-319GB?
A: It measures 3.9" x 2.75" x 1.5", compact enough for discreet upper-wall or ceiling placement.
Q: Is the ELK-319GB covered by a warranty?
A: Yes, it's covered by a manufacturer warranty.
I like the ELK-319GB for jobs where you've got a run of storefront glass or a wall of office windows and don't want to spec a contact on every pane. One acoustic sensor listening for the break signature covers the whole room from a single 3.9" x 2.75" x 1.5" mounting point.
Technical Highlights:
- Microphone-based detection: Listens for the acoustic signature of breaking glass across the room instead of requiring per-pane contacts — fewer devices and less wire pulled on multi-window rooms.
- Dual wall/ceiling mount rating: You're not locked into one placement style — mount it wherever the acoustic path to the glass is cleanest, wall or ceiling.
- Three-hole mount pattern: Gives you a stable three-point fix rather than a single anchor point, which matters on a device you don't want shifting or sagging over time.
Deployment Considerations:
- This is a zone-wired component — confirm panel/zone compatibility before you finalize the BOM, since the ELK-319GB isn't a standalone reporting device.
- The pull-tab battery isolation is worth flagging to the install crew — don't pull it during staging, or you're burning battery life before the system's even commissioned.
Solid pick for a retail storefront or ground-floor office suite with multiple windows on one wall, where covering the room acoustically beats wiring a contact on every pane.
