How to Enable, Disable & Test the Panel Glass Break Detector on IQ Panel

How To
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The IQ Panel 5 has built-in microphones that can function as a glass break detector — no separate sensor needed! When enabled, the panel listens for the specific sound frequency of breaking glass and triggers an alarm. This guide covers the requirements, how to enable or disable the feature, and how to test it.

Requirements

Before enabling Panel Glass Break, make sure all of the following are in place:

Panel Installation Requirements:

  • Panel must be wall mounted (not on a table stand)
  • Panel must be connected to its power supply
  • System must be armed in Away or Stay mode to trigger (depending on programming)

Detection Area Requirements:

  • Panel must have a 90° clear line of sight toward the window(s) you want to protect
  • No obstacles between the panel and the glass
  • Glass must be between 3 ft (0.9m) minimum and 15 ft (4.5m) maximum from the panel

Compatible Glass Types:

  • Tempered, Plated, or Insulated Glass
  • Thickness between 1/8" – 1/4" (3.2mm – 6.4mm)
  • Window must be framed
  • Minimum window size: 12" x 12"

Note: The Panel Glass Break Detector and the Panel Ambient Noise Detector cannot be enabled at the same time. Enabling one will make the other unavailable.

How to Enable Panel Glass Break

  1. From the home screen, swipe down from the top to open the Settings bar.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Advanced Settings.
  4. Enter your Installer Code (default: 1111) or Dealer Code (default: 2222).
  5. Tap Installation.
  6. Tap Installer/Dealer Settings.
  7. Scroll down and locate Panel Glass Break Detector.
  8. Toggle it to Enabled.

The panel will now act as a glass break detector, and a new glass break zone will be added to your sensor list automatically.

How to Disable Panel Glass Break

Follow the same steps as enabling:

  1. Swipe down → Settings → Advanced Settings.
  2. Enter your Installer or Dealer code.
  3. Tap Installation → Installer/Dealer Settings.
  4. Scroll to Panel Glass Break Detector and toggle it to Disabled.

How to Test Panel Glass Break

Panel Glass Break must be enabled in Installer/Dealer Settings before the test option will appear.

To get to the test screen:
Settings → Advanced Settings → Enter Code → System Tests → Panel Glass Break Test

There are three test options available:

Test 1 – Clap Test (Microphone Check)

This verifies that the panel’s microphones are active and listening.

  1. Tap RUN.
  2. The circle on screen will turn yellow — the panel is now listening.
  3. Clap your hands near the panel.
  4. A successful response confirms the microphones are working properly.

Test 2 – Glass Break Simulator Test

This uses a glass break simulator tool to verify the panel detects the correct frequency.

  1. Tap RESET to prepare the test.
  2. Activate your glass break simulator within the detection area.
  3. The circle on screen will turn green when the panel detects the glass break frequency.
  4. Green = the panel is ready to protect your windows.

Test 3 – Glass Break Alarm Test Mode (Full Live Test)

This puts the panel into a 15-minute test mode and sends a live signal to the central monitoring station for a full end-to-end verification.

  1. Tap START.
  2. Review the on-screen instructions and tap OK.
  3. Arm the panel in Away mode.
  4. Go to the window location you want to protect and activate the glass break simulator.
  5. The panel will go into alarm and send a signal to the central monitoring station.
  6. After 15 minutes, the panel will exit test mode and return to normal automatically.

Tip: Contact your monitoring station before running this test so they know it is a planned drill and not a real emergency.

Source: IQ Panel 5 Installation Manual, Software Version 5.0