UL is an accredited independent 3rd party certification agency that performed product safety and performance evaluations of Google Nest Secure products.
The Nest app will guide you through installation and let you choose the options that should work best for you and your family. The default settings offer a balance of security and convenience.
However, if you want your system to comply with UL guidelines, follow the specific requirements in this article.
You can have a Nest Pro install your system
Nest Pro can take care of your UL certified installation from start to finish, and even show you how to use your system after it’s set up. If you’d like to have a Nest Pro install your system, use our Nest Pro Finder to locate a professional installer in your area.
You’ll also need to use your system in a certain way, and choose specific settings, in order to meet UL requirements. See the information below to learn what you’ll need to do.
Nest Guard UL installation requirements
How to install the securing bracket on your power outlet
For a UL certified installation, you’ll need to use the included bracket that keeps Guard’s power adapter plugged in
-
Plug in Guard.
Important: Make sure to pick an outlet that isn’t controlled by a light switch.
- On the outlet, remove the screw that holds the wall plate in place. Don’t remove the wall plate – just the screw.
- Place the included bracket over Guard’s power adapter.
- Use the included screw to attach the bracket to the outlet, over the wall plate.
Nest Detect UL installation requirements
Nest Detect must communicate directly with Guard
If you have a larger home, you may be using a Google Nest Connect to help optimize network reliability and extend the range of Nest Secure to more areas in your home. Connect is not currently UL certified for use as a security device.
In order to meet UL requirements for use, Detect must communicate directly with Guard. So if you’re using a Nest Connect to extend the range of your system, you also need to make sure Detect can communicate directly with Guard; this is the only type of connection that meets UL requirements.
To make sure Nest Detect can directly communicate with Nest Guard:
- Set up and install Nest Guard according to the instructions in the first section of this article.
- Completely power off your other Nest or other Thread-compatible products before installing Nest Detect.
- Set up your Nest Detects with the app and install them where you want. You can use screws or adhesive for mounting, but follow the guidelines in the section below if you use adhesive.
-
Test the connection to Guard by pressing the button on each Detect that you have installed.
- Detect’s light ring will pulse green when it’s connected to Nest Guard.
- Detect’s light ring will flash yellow 5 times during installation if it cannot directly communicate to Nest Guard. If this happens, re-install Detect closer to Guard and test again.
Mounting Detect with screws or adhesive
You have two options for mounting Detect: screws or adhesive strips.
Installing Detect with the screws will meet UL specifications, regardless of the type of surface or finish.
You can use the adhesive strips instead and still be in compliance with UL specifications. However, the surface you attach Detect to needs to be smooth, flat, and made from one of these materials:
- Galvanized steel
- Enameled steel
- Nylon - Polyamide
- Polycarbonate
- Glass Epoxy
- Phenolic - Phenol Formaldehyde (PF)
- Polyphenylene ether/Polystyrene blend (PPE/PS blend)
- Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
- Epoxy paint
- Polyester paint
- Coated epoxy paint (Coating is 3M Adhesive Promoter 111)
- Coated polyester paint (Coating is 3M Adhesive Promoter 111)
- Acrylic urethane paint
- Epoxy/Polyester paint
Important:If the surface is covered with a low VOC or zero VOC paint or varnish, you’ll need to install Detect with the screws. This type of finish is common on surfaces that have been painted within the last few years. The adhesive strips included with Nest Detects are not certified by UL for these types of surfaces. If you’re not sure, look on the paint or varnish label for words like “zero VOC,” “GREENGUARD certified,” or a VOC listing that’s less than 250 g/L for flat finish paint, 380 g/L for other paints, or 450 g/L for varnishes.
When in doubt, you can just use the screws instead of the adhesive strips to comply with UL guidelines. Don’t worry, we designed the screws to be easy to install in a few minutes.
Nest app UL requirements
The Nest app has a special Limited Settings mode to ensure that Nest Secure complies with UL specifications. Limited Settings mode will disable some options.
Here’s how to turn on Limited Settings:
|
.What happens when you switch to Limited Settings
You won’t see as many options for things like the alarm countdown timer. Here’s a comparison of features when Limited Settings are turned off or on.
| Default | Limited Settings | |
| Arming your system with Guard | When arming with Guard, simply select a security level. There’s no need to enter a passcode or use Tag. | When arming with Guard, you must select a security level then confirm it by entering a passcode or using Tag. |
| Alarm countdown for coming home | Default is 1 minute, and you can select from 30 seconds to 5 minutes | Default is 30 seconds, and you can only select from 30 or 45 seconds. |
| Alarm countdown for leaving | Default is 1 minute, and you can select from 30 seconds to 5 minutes | Default is 1 minute, and you can select from 30, 60 or 120 seconds only |
| Offline, low battery tamper, or hardware issue notifications | Can choose to have Guard beep once per minute when there’s an issue that needs attention. | Guard will always beep once per minute when there’s an issue that needs attention. |
All other options and settings for your security system will be the same whether or not you’ve turned on Limited Settings.