What Does the PowerG Button Show on the IQ Panel 5 About Page?

Touching PowerG on the About page of the IQ Panel 5 opens a popup with five readings: Modem Firmware Version, Modem Build Number, Radio Firmware Version, Radio Software ID, and PowerG RF Band. The RF Band matters most when buying new PowerG sensors. It takes only a moment and changes nothing.

What the PowerG Popup Shows

The IQ Panel 5 (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) lists five readings when you touch PowerG on the About page: Modem Firmware Version, Modem Build Number, Radio Firmware Version, Radio Software ID, and PowerG RF Band. Together they describe the PowerG radio hardware inside the panel, the radio that communicates with your wireless sensors.

These readings are mainly for installers and support technicians, but one of them, the PowerG RF Band, is useful to anyone adding new sensors to a security system.

How to Open the PowerG Readings

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen. This opens the Settings Tray with quick controls.

IQ Panel 5 Settings Tray opened by swiping down from the top of the screen

2. Touch Settings. This opens the main Settings page.

3. Touch Advanced Settings. This prompts you to enter a code before continuing.

IQ Panel 5 Advanced Settings highlighted on the Settings page

4. Enter your code. The Installer Code, default 1111, the Master Code, default 1234, or the Dealer Code, default 2222, all provide access to the About page.

5. Touch About. This opens the About page, which lists Battery, Software, Hardware, Patches, Panel, Cellular, Z-Wave, PowerG, Wi-Fi Information, and Internal Storage.

6. Touch PowerG. A popup opens showing the PowerG readings.

7. Review the PowerG readings. The readings include the Modem Firmware Version, Modem Build Number, Radio Firmware Version, Radio Software ID, and PowerG RF Band.

The Modem Readings

Modem Firmware Version and Modem Build Number describe the software on the PowerG modem. The firmware version identifies the release the modem is running, and the build number identifies the specific build of that release. A technician uses the pair to confirm exactly which modem software your panel has installed.

The Radio Readings

Radio Firmware Version and Radio Software ID describe the software on the PowerG radio. As with the modem, the firmware version identifies the release, and the Radio Software ID identifies the software loaded on the radio. Support can compare these readings against known compatibility information when a sensor behaves unexpectedly after an update.

The PowerG RF Band

PowerG RF Band shows the radio frequency band the panel's PowerG radio operates on. PowerG sensors are built for a specific band, and a sensor only communicates with a panel that uses the same band. This is the reading to check before you buy new PowerG sensors, so you can confirm the sensors you are ordering match your panel. If you are unsure, compare this reading with the band listed on the sensor's packaging or product page.

Which Readings Matter Most to You

For most homeowners, the PowerG RF Band is the practical reading, because it decides which sensors are compatible. The modem and radio readings are for technicians. If a support representative asks you to read them aloud during a call, the PowerG button on the About page is where to find them.

These readings are also separate from the PowerG signal strength tests in the System Tests menu. The PowerG popup tells you what is installed, while the tests tell you how well your enrolled sensors are communicating.

When You Would Check These Readings

Most people only open the PowerG popup for a specific reason. Before ordering new PowerG sensors, check the PowerG RF Band so you buy devices built for the same band as your panel. When a support technician is diagnosing a sensor that will not enroll or reports inconsistently, they often ask for the radio and modem readings to compare against known compatibility notes. After a software update, a quick look confirms the radio information is still reporting normally. Outside of those situations, there is no need to check these readings regularly.

If the PowerG Popup Is Empty

If the PowerG popup shows no readings, run the PowerG test from the System Tests menu on the panel to confirm the panel can communicate with its PowerG radio. If the readings still do not appear after the test, contact Alarm Grid support so we can help determine whether the issue is with the PowerG radio itself.

Knowing what PowerG information is on the About page of your IQ Panel 5 helps you follow a support call and choose compatible PowerG sensors on the IQ Panel 5. For help with PowerG settings or other system information or other configurations on your IQ Panel 5, contact the Alarm Grid support team. We are here Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Email us at support@alarmgrid.com, call us at 888-818-7728, or visit our website and chat with a live support agent.