I currently have an IQ Panel 2 and two IQ Remotes (wifi based). I’m currently doing a renovation and need to install wired smoke detectors for building code purposes. I’m also taking the opportunity to hardwire hidden sensors to doors and windows so I don’t have to see the wireless sensors going forward.
I’m debating whether to just get a PowerG hardwire translator and keep my equipment (probably the cheapest option), or if it’s worth upgrading to an IQ Pro? I wasn’t blown away by the IQ Panel 4 features as compared to my IQ Panel 2, so I suspect the answer is that I should just get a translator. But would appreciate thoughts and guidance.
If you are renovating are you having an electrician install AC powered interconnected smoke detectors with battery backup? I think building codes typically require this.
The Hardwire translator cannot monitor AC powered smoke detectors. Instead, a single Firefighter audio detector could monitor a circuit of interconnected AC smoke detectors.
Low voltage smoke detectors, and all the other recessed sensors you are referencing could be used with either the IQ Pro or Hardwire Translator.
How many sensors are you installing? Are you planning on adding any wired keypads to replace the IQ Panel 2 location?
If you go with the IQ Pro, one change would be how you program the system, it uses an app vs on screen programming.
Here is a similar thread regarding IQ Pro vs Hardwire Translator:
I am planning to install low voltage interconnected smokes. Planning on using the IQ Remote panels again. They have a nice look and have access to lots of functions.
I think the only real benefit for me with IQ Pro would be to use the MX smoke detectors so I know which room’s alarm is going off. The new detectors would mostly be in basement so not a huge concern though - probably just dealing with 5 detectors between living space, garage and mechanical room. I’d probably have 5 zones of window and door sensors too.
Whichever way you go about these smokes, I would recommend you use minimum 18 Gauge Fire wire for the smoke detectors. You can use either 2 conductor for 2 wire smoke or 4 conductor for 4 wire smokes. I do not recommend using 22 gauge for fire especially if they will be interconnected.
I have a few questions about how to actually wire things up. I am going to have smoke detectors, heat detectors and CO detectors.
The first question, is let’s assume I use 2-wire smoke detectors. In that case, how do I wire up heat and CO detectors? I’d assume the heat detectors should be programmed as a fire zone, but per the instructions I can’t have a separate fire zone when using 2-wire smokes. Similar question for the CO detectors – will that be a problem given that the are 4 wire devices?
I would ideally like to be able to know which particular smoke detector went off via Alarm.com’s app. I know this is not possible with 2-wire. But, is it possible to add 4-wire smoke detectors to individual zones? If so, how would I wire them all up, taking into account a supervisory relay?
You can program the head detectors as fire but you will have the option to set them as heat detectors instead of smoke detectors so you could still use 2 wire smokes(this will get power from AUX+ and PGM2).
CO detectors will require to be wired as 4 wires. These will get power from AUX+ and AUX-.
You can use 4 wire smokes to know which one is triggered but this would require a 4 conductor wire to each smoke. Each smoke would then need its own zone.
This system does support MX devices. You can use an HSM3105 module and add Smoke/Heat (MX916) detectors, Smoke(MX926) detectors, or Heat(MX936) Detectors with the MXBASE. Each of these will be supervised with each one being its own zone. These are wired as a loop using 2 conductors.
Thanks. If I stay with my IQ Panel 2 and get a PowerG hardwire translator instead, does that change your answer at all? I don’t think that supports MX for example.
Two other questions:
Does the translator support more than 2 or 4 zone expanders (depending on the model)? I know only 2 or 4 can fit in the enclosure, but wasn’t sure if I could add others in a separate enclosure.
Does the translator only support zone expanders or can it also support the expansion board that provides additional PGMs?
No, the IQ Hardwire PowerG can handle a maximum of 24 zones, which would be 2 zone expanders.
I’m not entirely sure if those expansion boards are compatible with the Hardwire PowerG. The manual does not mention them, but we will check with Qolsys to see if that’s the case and follow up here.
After speaking to Qolsys tech support, you actually can use 4 zone expanders on both models. The only difference between them is the enclosure size. So adding 2 zone expanders in a different enclosure should work. You can use something like a PC5003C cabinet which has the mounting holes already made to work with the zone expanders.
You can have a total of 2 PowerG Takeover Modules per system and each can handle 2 keypads(HS2LCR), 4 Zone Expanders, and 1 Power Supply(HSM2300). It does not support a PGM Expansion board or a MX Expansion Board.