Life-Safety Posts

Alarm Grid is thrilled to inform you that the new 2GIG 345S encryption-capable sensor lineup is now available. This collection covers all the bases, with sensors for security, life safety, and environmental monitoring. The 345s sensors allow you to select encrypted or non-encrypted operation.

If you're building out a new 2GIG system or expanding an existing one, you are going to want to take a close look at what this family of products has to offer.

All of the 345S sensors communicate on the standard 345 MHz wireless frequency. That means they play nice with a wide range of 2GIG panels, including the 2GIG GC Touch (AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE versions), 2GIG GC2e, 2GIG GC3e, and Edge (AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE versions available). They will also work right alongside any existing 2GIG or Honeywell 5800 Series sensors you already have enrolled.

And here is a nice bonus: the sensors in this lineup come with an onboard encryption switch, so you can enable encrypted communication if your panel supports it. They come from the factory with encryption disabled, but enabling it is super easy.

With that said, let's check out the new 345S sensors!

2GIG DW100-345

345S Wireless Door/Window Contact Sensor

The 2GIG DW100-345 is a surface-mounted door and window contact that should be one of the first sensors on your shopping list. It mounts right onto the surface of a door or window frame and communicates wirelessly with your panel whenever the magnet separates from the sensor, letting the system know something has been opened.

One thing we really like about this one is the thoughtful design. It has a rounded outer shell with a square interior, which makes it easy for installers to line up correctly during mounting. It also ships with a spacer that lets it fit flush on a wider variety of door and window profiles. You get support for an external Normally Open or Normally Closed wired input as well, which gives you some extra flexibility. Battery life comes in at up to 8 years, and encryption is switchable on or off right on the board.

Key Features:

• Surface-mounted design with included spacer for versatile installation
• Up to 8-year battery life
• Supports external NO or NC wired input
• On/Off switchable encryption via onboard switch

2GIG DWR100-345

345S Recessed Door/Window Contact Sensor

If you want your security sensors to be completely out of sight, the 2GIG DWR100-345 is the way to go. This is a recessed contact, which means the sensor and its magnet get installed inside holes drilled into the door or window and its frame. Once everything is in place, the only way you would ever notice the sensor is by looking at the edge of the frame with the door or window already open.

This is a fantastic option for anyone who cares about keeping their home looking clean and uncluttered. It communicates on the 345 MHz frequency and will report to the panel whenever the door or window is opened. Battery life is rated at up to 5 years, and encryption can be toggled on or off using a switch right on the sensor.

Key Features:

• Completely hidden recessed design for a clean look
• Up to 5-year battery life
• On/Off switchable encryption via onboard switch

2GIG PIR100-345

345S Passive Infrared Motion Detector

The 2GIG PIR100-345 is a wall-mounted motion detector that uses passive infrared technology to pick up on changes in heat energy caused by movement. When set to its default High Sensitivity Mode, it covers an impressive area of 30 feet deep by 50 feet wide. That is more than enough for a typical living room, hallway, or open floor plan.

Pet owners will appreciate the built-in pet immunity feature. When enabled, the sensor will ignore the movement of animals weighing up to 85 pounds, which goes a long way toward cutting down on false alarms. The sensitivity setting is installer-adjustable, so you can dial it in for your specific environment. Battery life is rated at up to 7 years, and like most sensors in the 345S lineup, encryption can be toggled on via an onboard switch.

Key Features:

• 30 ft x 50 ft coverage area on high sensitivity
• Pet immunity for animals up to 85 lbs (installer-adjustable)
• Up to 7-year battery life
• Ships non-encrypted; encryption activated via onboard switch

2GIG GB100-345

345S Wireless Glass Break Detector

The 2GIG GB100-345 is a wireless glass break detector that can be mounted on either a ceiling or a wall. It uses a dual-stage detection method to tell the difference between actual breaking glass and other loud noises. First, it listens for the low-frequency "thud" of something striking the glass. Then it listens for the high-frequency "crash" of the glass actually shattering. Both sounds have to occur together for the sensor to trip, which does a great job of preventing false alarms.

It handles plate, tempered, laminated, and coated glass, and it covers a 15-foot radius from where it is mounted. There are user-adjustable sensitivity settings as well, which is helpful if the sensor is going in a noisier area. Battery life is up to 5 years, and encryption is switchable on the board.

Key Features:

• Dual-stage thud and crash detection to minimize false alarms
• Detects plate, tempered, laminated, and coated glass
• 15-foot detection radius
• User-adjustable sensitivity settings
• Up to 5-year battery life
• On/Off switchable encryption

2GIG SMKT100-345

345S Smoke, Heat, Freeze Detector

The 2GIG SMKT100-345 is a multi-purpose life safety sensor that handles smoke, heat, and freeze detection all in one device. It uses a photo-electric optical smoke detection chamber paired with advanced detection algorithms, and it meets the newer UL217 8th edition and UL268 7th edition standards. That means it is better at recognizing smoke from synthetic materials, which is important since so much of what is in our homes today is made from plastics and other synthetics.

Beyond smoke, the sensor also monitors for dangerous temperature conditions. It sends a Rate of Rise alert when the room temperature hits 104 degrees Fahrenheit and climbs 15 or more degrees within a single minute. It will also alert you to extreme high and low temperatures, making it useful as a freeze sensor for vacation homes or unoccupied spaces. The projected battery life is 10 years, and encryption is enabled by default on this one, though it can be switched off if needed.

Key Features:

• Meets UL217 8th edition and UL268 7th edition standards
• Photo-electric optical smoke detection chamber
• Rate of Rise heat alert (104°F + 15° rise in one minute)
• Extreme high and low temperature freeze alerts
• Projected 10-year battery life
• Default encrypted; can be switched to unencrypted mode

2GIG CO100-345

345S Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide is one of those dangers you absolutely cannot detect on your own, which is why the 2GIG CO100-345 is such an important addition to any system. This wireless CO detector uses an electrochemical sensor to monitor for carbon monoxide and communicates alarm, tamper, and battery condition messages back to your panel.

What really stands out here is the longevity. You get a 10-year sensor life and a 10-year battery life, so once this thing is installed, you can largely set it and forget it. It also has a built-in 85 decibel sounder to wake you up if CO is detected, even before the panel sounds its own alarm. The case is tamper protected and the sensor includes an end-of-life indicator so you know when it is time for a replacement. It is ETL listed for added peace of mind.

Key Features:

• 10-year sensor life and 10-year battery life
• Built-in 85 dB sounder for immediate local alerts
• Tamper protected case with end-of-life indicator
• Full monitoring of alarm, low battery, and tamper conditions
• ETL listed

2GIG FF100-345

345S Firefighter Smoke and CO Detector Listener

The 2GIG FF100-345 is a clever solution for a common problem. If you already have UL listed smoke or CO detectors in your home, you probably do not want to rip them out just to add monitoring to your security system. The FireFighter solves this by listening for the specific alarm cadence of your existing detectors and then relaying that signal wirelessly to your 2GIG panel.

The best part is that adding a FireFighter does not impact the UL listing or Fire Marshall approval of your existing detectors. It simply sits nearby and listens. It runs on a single CR123A long life lithium battery and is FCC, IC, and ETL listed for use in both the US and Canada. Encryption can be enabled via an onboard switch.

Key Features:

• Monitors existing UL listed smoke, CO, or combo detectors
• Does not affect UL or Fire Marshall approval of existing detectors
• Runs on one CR123A long life lithium battery
• FCC, IC, and ETL listed (US and Canada, UL985)
• On/Off switchable encryption via onboard switch

2GIG FTD100-345

345S Wireless Dual Flood Water and Temperature Sensor

Water damage is one of the most expensive problems a homeowner can face, and the 2GIG FTD100-345 is designed to catch it early. This dual-purpose sensor monitors for the presence of water and also keeps tabs on the ambient temperature in its location. Place it near a water heater, under a sink, in a basement, or anywhere else where a leak or a burst pipe could cause serious damage.

It is part of the 2GIG Notification Sensors line, which adds smart home awareness features to your security system beyond just intrusion detection. The sensor runs on a single CR 2.3V lithium battery with a five-year battery life. Encryption can be enabled via the onboard switch.

Key Features:

• Dual flood and temperature monitoring in one device
• Runs on one CR 2.3V lithium battery
• Five-year battery life
• On/Off switchable encryption via onboard switch

2GIG FT100-345

345S Wireless Flood/Temp Sensor

The 2GIG FT100-345 is another option for flood and temperature monitoring. Like the FTD100 above, it can detect the presence of water and monitor for temperature changes that fall outside of defined thresholds. It is fully supervised and tamper protected, so you will know right away if anything goes wrong with the sensor itself.

This is a great sensor to place in utility rooms, crawl spaces, or anywhere you want early warning about water intrusion or freezing temperatures. It runs on a CR123A lithium battery with a five-year lifespan, and encryption can be toggled on or off at the sensor.

Key Features:

• Flood detection and ambient temperature monitoring
• Fully supervised and tamper protected
• Runs on one CR 2.3V lithium battery with 5-year life
• On/Off switchable encryption via onboard switch

2GIG TILT100-345

345S Wireless Tilt Sensor

The 2GIG TILT100-345 is a simple but really useful sensor. It monitors whether something has been tilted past a 45-degree angle, which makes it perfect for keeping track of your garage door status. Mount it on the inside of the garage door panel, and it will report to the system whenever the door goes up or comes back down. It sends a restore signal once the door returns to its closed position.

Beyond garage doors, you can also use it to monitor mailboxes, pet doors, storm cellar doors, or anything else that tilts when opened. It includes a tamper switch and low battery reporting. Installation is easy with the included double-sided tape and mounting screws. Battery life is rated at up to 10 years, and encryption is switchable on the board.

Key Features:

• Triggers at 45-degree tilt, restores when returned to upright position
• Perfect for garage doors, mailboxes, pet doors, and more
• Up to 10-year battery life
• Includes double-sided tape and mounting screws
• Tamper switch and low battery supervision
• On/Off switchable encryption

2GIG KEY100-345

345S 4-Button Security Panel Key Ring Remote

The 2GIG KEY100-345 is a wireless key fob that gives you a quick and convenient way to control your system without having to walk over to the panel. It has four buttons that let you arm, disarm, and trigger a panic right from your keychain, pocket, or purse. It supports encryption, which is highly recommended for a key fob.

If there is an emergency, you can hit the panic button to activate the siren and automatically signal the central monitoring station, if enabled. The key fob can also be programmed to operate the programmable output on the alarm panel, which is handy if you have a connected device like a garage door or gate relay. It is small, lightweight, and easy to keep on you at all times.

Key Features:

• 4-button control: Arm Away, Arm Stay, Disarm, and programmable output
• Emergency panic button activates siren and signals monitoring station
• Compact design fits on a key chain, in a pocket, or purse
• Programmable output control for connected relay devices

2GIG PANIC100-345

345S Wireless Panic Button Pendant Remote

The 2GIG PANIC100-345 is a dedicated panic button designed for one thing: getting you help fast. Press the button and it immediately sends an emergency signal to the control panel, regardless of whether the system is armed or disarmed. It has a wireless range of 500 feet in open air, so it works from just about anywhere on your property.

What makes this device especially useful is how many ways you can carry or mount it. It comes with options for a lanyard, wristband, belt clip, and car visor clip. The button is water-resistant, which means it can get wet, but should not be submerged. That means it holds up well even in damp environments like bathrooms or near pools. A five-second lockout after each press prevents accidental reactivations, which is a nice safety touch.

Key Features:

• 500 ft wireless range in open air
• Water-resistant design
• Wearable via lanyard, wristband, belt clip, or car visor clip
• Five-second lockout prevents accidental activations
• Over 1 million unique ID code combinations
• FCC/IC and ETL certified

2GIG TAKE100-345

345S Wireless Hardwire Takeover Module

Upgrading to a 2GIG wireless system but your home is already wired up with hardwired sensors? The 2GIG TAKE100-345 is exactly what you need. This takeover module lets you convert up to 8 existing hardwired zones into wireless zones that communicate with your 2GIG panel. If you have more than 8 zones, you can add additional modules.

It supports up to 500 mA for powering wired motion sensors and glass break sensors, and it can even be powered by the backup battery of your old alarm panel. It includes a charging circuit with LED status lighting for the backup battery. Just keep in mind that it is intended for indoor use only and cannot be used for Carbon Monoxide or Fire detection zones. Encryption is supported via an onboard switch, and the module is ETL listed.

Key Features:

• Converts up to 8 hardwired zones per module into wireless zones
• Supports up to 500 mA for wired motions and glass breaks
• Can run on existing alarm panel backup battery with charging circuit
• LED status lighting for battery condition
• ETL listed
• Supports encryption via onboard switch

2GIG RPTR100-345

345S Wireless Repeater

If you have a larger home or a tricky layout with lots of walls and obstacles, the 2GIG RPTR100-345 Wireless Repeater can be a lifesaver. It extends the wireless range of your 2GIG system by receiving signals from your sensors and repeating them to the panel. It handles both 2GIG and Honeywell 5800 Series signals, and it works with encrypted and non-encrypted sensors right out of the box.

Setup could not be easier. It is a plug-and-play device that starts repeating signals the moment you power it on. It also includes a 24-hour rechargeable backup battery, so it keeps working even during a power outage. A built-in repeat indicator in the signal prevents the "repeated signal storm" issue that some older repeaters can cause. You can optionally program it as a zone to supervise Tamper, AC Loss, and Low Battery conditions for the repeater.

Key Features:

• Repeats both 2GIG and Honeywell 5800 345 MHz signals
• Works with encrypted and non-encrypted sensors out of the box
• Plug-and-play with immediate signal repetition
• 24-hour rechargeable backup battery
• Built-in repeat indicator eliminates repeated signal storm
• On/Off switchable supervisory encryption

Questions? We Are Here to Help!

If you have questions about any of these 2GIG 345S Sensors or 2GIG panels, or if you just want to learn more about our monitoring service, please reach out to us! The best way to contact us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. If you want to speak by phone, you can reach us at (888) 818-7728 during our regular business hours of 9am to 8pm Eastern Time. Visit our website to chat with a live agent between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM Eastern.

Thanksgiving is here once again! The Alarm Grid offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, so our team can enjoy time with their families. Our office will be open and back to normal hours on Friday, November 28th, at 9:00 AM EST. Despite our office being closed, central station monitoring will be handled as it always is; quickly and professionally.

Monitoring Station Contact Information

Even though our office is closed, your security system keeps working around the clock. Our central station partners at Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) and Rapid Response will be monitoring systems and responding to alarms all day Thursday. We appreciate their professionalism and commitment to keeping our customers safe.

If you need to contact the monitoring station during the holiday to report a false alarm or put your system on test mode, here's who to call:

US Customers: Call CMS at (888) 818-7728 and press Option [9]. Have your name, address, and false alarm password handy when the operator picks up.

Canadian Customers: Call Rapid Response at (800) 932-3822 with your name, address, and false alarm password ready.

Quick heads-up: Make sure you give them the correct information. If you accidentally provide an incorrect password or your Duress password instead of your false alarm password, they'll dispatch help. Because that's exactly what the Duress password is designed to do.

For Technical Support - Email Us Instead

Here's something important: the monitoring station only handles alarms and emergencies. They can't help with technical issues, programming questions, or changes to your account settings like zone names or contact lists.

For anything like that, shoot us an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We'll get back to you as soon as we're back in the office. The holidays sometimes create a bit of a backlog, so thanks in advance for your patience when we return!

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, please be sure to arm your system before you hit the road. Also, double-check that you know your false alarm password before you leave. Nothing says "happy holidays!" quite like realizing you can't remember your false alarm password while you're three hours, or even three states away.

If you're cooking this year, kitchen smoke and steam are notorious for setting off smoke detectors. If yours is connected to your alarm system and it goes off, just silence it quickly. For all-in-one panels like the IQ Panel 4 or PROA7PLUS, you'll see a prompt on the screen asking for your disarm code. For older VISTA systems, just enter your User Code and press 1 (Off), exactly like you're disarming the system.

The monitoring station will call you when a smoke alarm goes off. If it's just your burning turkey setting off the detector (we've all been there), let them know and give them your false alarm password. They'll ask some questions to make sure everything's okay, and you can decide together whether the fire department really needs to stop by.

Important: Carbon Monoxide Alarms

If your carbon monoxide (CO) detector goes off, get everyone out of the house immediately. Carbon monoxide is completely invisible and odorless, and it's dangerous - especially for little ones, like kids and pets.

The monitoring station is required to send help on CO alarms no matter what. Even if you call them and say you're fine, they're still dispatching the fire department. It's for your safety. The fire department has special equipment to detect carbon monoxide and make sure your home is safe to re-enter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for choosing Alarm Grid. Whether you're hosting, traveling, staying home for a quiet day, or working through the holiday, we hope your Thanksgiving is exactly what you want it to be. May your turkey be moist, your family drama be minimal, and your smoke detectors stay silent!

Resideo recently announced that its VISTA and PRO Series panels are now fully certified to integrate with Control4 whole-home automation. Control4 is a premium automation platform, typically available only through authorized Control4 integrators, and it operates by using specialized drivers

Control4 drivers act as the essential software that enables communication between the Control4 automation system and various third-party devices. A certified Control4 driver allows for seamless integration and centralized control of different smart home products through the Control4 interface. The interface can be a touchscreen, an app, or even voice commands. For homeowners and installers, this means a unified experience where security, lighting, entertainment, and more can be managed from a single platform.

For homeowners, the benefits are clear. A certified integration allows the Resideo First Alert panel to do more than just secure the home, it becomes part of a larger ecosystem. Using Control4, you can arm the alarm system at night while having the doors lock automatically, the thermostat adjust to an energy-saving setting, and the lights dim across the house. That’s the type of seamless, one-touch automation that Control4 is known for, now enhanced with the proven reliability of a Resideo First Alert security system.

For dealers and installers, certification reduces guesswork and support headaches. Instead of relying on custom workarounds, they can now use official drivers that are tested and verified. This not only speeds up installation but also builds dealer confidence, by knowing their installations are backed by two major industry players working together.

The move also positions Resideo strongly in the high-end automation space. By joining the ranks of other security systems officially supported by Control4, VISTA and PRO Series panels are now a more compelling option for projects where premium automation is a requirement. It’s a win for integrators looking to expand their offerings, and a win for homeowners looking to unite all of their tech through a single interface.

VISTA panels use the 4232CBM Connected Building Module to integrate with Control4. The module connects the VISTA panel's ECP bus to the Control4 system through a wired serial RS232 or RS422 interface. This setup allows the Control4 driver to import zone alpha descriptors directly from the VISTA panel, which eliminates the need for manual programming of zone data within Control4. As a result, users can arm, disarm, and monitor the status of zones directly through the Control4 interface. Check out the 4232CBM Install Guide.

Another plus that shouldn't be overlooked is the fact that Control4 will import life-safety zones and descriptors. This allows an integrator to create automations based on fire or carbon monoxide zone triggers. For example, in the event of a fire alarm the system might automatically turn off the HVAC system and unlock the doors while turning on lights that illuminate a path out of the building.

Control4 and First Alert PRO Series Integration

You can find the steps for integrating the PRO Series panels with Control4 here. Here's a quick overview of what you'll need:

Before You Begin:

• Control4 OS 4.1.0+ and Composer Pro Software.
• PRO Series Firmware 03.2476.183+
• PRO Series panel must have a PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW installed.
• PRO Series panel should have all its partitions and zones configured before pairing with Control4, though you can add or remove zones after initial configuration.
• Your alarm dealer must enable the Control4 feature through AlarmNet360. This is done as part of the Smart Home package (Packages > Smart Home > Add-Ons > Control4).
• The Control4 system and the PRO Series panel must be connected to the same network through the same router.

After configuration with Control4’s Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SDDP), the PRO Series panel must always use the same IP address. SDDP is a lightweight protocol created by Control4 that lets WIFI enabled devices announce themselves on the network, making it easy for Control4 to find and identify them.

If the panel’s IP address changes, it will disconnect from Control4. Because setting a static IP directly on the alarm panel can be tricky, the better option is to reserve an IP address for the PRO Series panel in your router’s DHCP settings. Check your router’s documentation for instructions on how to set this up. Below is a list of names for this feature, and which manufacturers use each term:

• DHCP Reservation – Netgear, ASUS, TP-Link (most common term)
• Address Reservation – D-Link
• IP Reservation – Linksys, Spectrum, Xfinity
• Reserved IP Address – Some ISP-provided routers (AT&T, Verizon)

Basic Steps For Setup:

1. Initiate discovery. From Control4 Composer Pro, initiate discovery (System Design > Items > Discovered).
2. Create association. Double click on the PRO Series driver that you discovered in Step 1. If Composer Pro fails to discover the driver, make sure that all the prerequisites listed above have been met. Once the driver has been discovered and you double click, the driver is downloaded to your Control4 system. The panel's IP and other required information is sent to Composer Pro. The driver and the IP address can then be associated with one another within Composer Pro.
3. Perform pairing. Within Composer Pro, click Actions > Start Pairing. You have 120 seconds to complete the next step. If two minutes elapse without a successful pairing, the process will timeout and you'll need to perform this step again.
4. Pair PRO Series panel. On the PRO Series panel, tap Menu (≡) > Tools > Enter Installer Code (4112 by default) > Control4 Controller > Pair to Control4 Controller. When Composer Pro receives the pairing command, it will know, based on the panel's IP address, to associate the PRO Series driver with the panel and complete the pairing process. If the pairing is successful, the Control4 Controller information will automatically populate. If pairing fails this field will remain blank. In that case, verify that all of the requirements in "Before You Begin" have been met, and try again.

Complete Integration:

1. Verify partition import. In Composer Pro select Properties. Partition information will be displayed here as the information is imported. Upon successful import, the partition state will update from "Unknown" to the current state. This process may take a minute, so please be patient. Verify that all partitions, along with proper status, are displayed in the left pane.
2. Import and verify zone information. From Advanced Properties within Composer Pro select Get C4 Contacts to update and display individual PRO Series zones with proper status. The zones will also show in the left pane. When a zone is added (or removed), it will show which zones have been added or deleted there.
3. Verify visibility. From a Control4 touchscreen, or the Control4 app, tap Security and verify that all partitions and zones are displayed. If a partition appears to be missing, check the visibility settings for that partition within Composer Pro:
   • In the left pane select PRO Series > Properties > Navigator.
   • Select Security in the navigator menu. This will display the Device Visibility settings. Partitions are either "Visible" or "Hidden". If any partition that should be visible within Control4 is listed as hidden choose the Modify option and move that partition from Hidden to Visible.
   • Click File > Refresh Navigators to update and display all partitions. Any partition that remains listed as hidden will not display on any Control4 touchscreen or within the Control4 app. Presumably, it will also remain hidden to any voice assistant you may be using.
4. Test integration. Once the previous steps have been completed successfully, use the Control4 touchscreen or app to verify operation and status. Verify that all partitions show the proper status, i.e., Armed, Disarmed, etc. Walk around and fault zones, i.e., open and close doors, walk in front of motion detectors, etc. and verify that the status updates within the touchscreen or app.

Time for the CellBounce to, well, bounce. This device, which served as a temporary bridge for AT&T customers clinging to their 3G communicators, is now being discontinued. For those who rely on CellBounce to convert 3G signals for use on the LTE network, it's time to consider the next steps.

Mark your calendars: as of May 1, 2025, AT&T will officially cease support for CellBounce devices on its network. This means if you're currently relying on a CellBounce to bridge the gap between your old AT&T 3G/4G communicator and the AT&T LTE network, it's time to upgrade.

Failure to upgrade to a new LTE communicator, or a new system before the deadline will likely result in a complete loss of communication, compromising alarm signals. This includes critical life-safety signals like fire and carbon monoxide alerts.

You may be wondering which communicator to choose. Below, we'll give you some suggestions for how best to move past the Resideo CellBounce and that old 3G/4G communicator:

We realize upgrading to a new panel may be a big undertaking for a DIYer. We've got content on upgrading from a VISTA-20P to a VISTAH3 and on upgrading from several older panels to the PROA7PLUS:

• Upgrade from an L3000 to a PROA7PLUS
• Upgrade from an L5200 to a PROA7PLUS
• Upgrade from an L5210 to a PROA7PLUS
• Upgrade from an L7000 to a PROA7PLUS

If you fail to replace the Resideo CellBounce before the deadline, here's what you may experience:

• Communication Failures: "Comm fail," or communication failure, means your alarm system's regular check-in with AlarmNet didn't happen and they sent a message to the monitoring station. These supervision check-ins usually occur daily or monthly. If a comm fail happens, the monitoring station will normally contact the alarm dealer, who will then contact you, though exact procedures may vary. For Alarm Grid customers with cellular communicators, these check-ins are typically set for every day. It is possible that your system is set as "unsupervised". If that is the case, your system might be incapable of communicating and neither you nor the monitoring station would know.
• Trouble message on display. This issue can vary widely, depending on your panel type and supervision settings. When a cellular communicator is in use, there is a "cell fault time" setting within communicator programming. By default, this is usually set to 60 minutes. With this setting, if the communicator loses contact with the cellular network for 60 consecutive minutes, a trouble message is displayed by the panel. This means you'll likely see that there is a problem before your alarm dealer. This may be displayed as a bF or Check 103 depending on the panel and keypad used. If a CellBounce is the issue, the most effective way to clear this message permanently is to disable the cellular communicator in panel programming. This will effectively disable cellular reporting. A better option is to upgrade the communicator or the system.

If you happen to have an IP and GSM communicator, it is usually possible, depending on your communicator version, to disable only the cellular path for the communicator. This will leave the IP communicator working. This might be a temporary solution, until you can upgrade to a new LTE communicator, or a new system.

The CellBounce was always intended as a short-term fix for a long-term problem. Let's face it, some people just don't like being told they have to upgrade their stuff. I remember when the old 2G network shut down, I had family members who clung to their old phones right up until the bitter end! But eventually, we all have to move with the times. Funny thing is, those same family members wouldn't give up their smartphones without a fight today.

Multiple sources have recently distributed notices regarding the Rogers 3G network. Rogers plans to sunset the 3G network on July 31, 2025. This differs from the original planned sunset on March 31, 2025. Once the network has been shut down, Rogers 3G communicators will soon begin to fail.

AT&T and Verizon ended their 3G service in 2022, but Canadian customers have had a few extra years to upgrade their devices. Now, Rogers is focusing on improving its faster LTE and 5G networks and needs to shut down the older 3G equipment.

If your system uses a Rogers 3G cellular communicator, you'll need to update it soon. Without an upgrade, eventually your system will not send alarm signals, including life-safety signals like fire and carbon monoxide alarms. This will also cause the system to display error messages.

Alarm Grid is here to help our Canadian customers upgrade their alarm systems before the Rogers 3G network shutdown. We'll be contacting you to discuss your upgrade options. Depending on your system, you may need a full upgrade or just a communicator upgrade. We'll work with you to find the best solution.

If you're not an Alarm Grid customer, we still offer a wide variety of FAQs geared toward upgrading systems and communicators. if you go to alarmgrid.com you'll find a list of these FAQs. You can also use the search bar at the top of the page to perform your own search with more specific criteria.

If you have an alarm system that is currently not monitored, or if you're not satisfied with your current service, Alarm Grid offers low-cost, no-contract monitoring plans for most systems. If you're interested in signing up for monitoring, but you're unsure whether we can monitor your system, reach out to support@alarmgrid.com.

Let us know what system you have, and if you're not sure, send us a picture of the system. From there, we may ask for more information. Once we know your system type, and whether we can access the required programming, we'll let you know if we can monitor your system. From there, you can sign up for monitoring.

If you sign up for a Self-Monitoring Plan, once the system or communicator has been upgraded and the required information has been provided, we'll create your account and email you with the login information.

If you sign up for a Full-Monitoring Plan you'll set an appointment for activation. You'll need to install the new communicator or system prior to your activation appointment. If you need support during that time, you can call us at 888-818-7728 (M - F, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm EDT). You can also email us for support, or use our chat support feature during regular business hours.

We'll give you the knowledge you need to replace any equipment necessary. You can purchase that equipment from Alarm Grid or, if you prefer, from other suppliers. Once your system is registered, we'll perform any required testing, discuss any monitoring details for Full-Monitoring Plans, then wrap things up.

As usual, the Alarm Grid office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day so that our employees can enjoy the holiday with their families. This year, Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 28. Though our office will be closed, our monitoring station operators are ready to respond to any signals.

In addition to Thanksgiving Day, our office will be open half-days on Wednesday, November 27th, and Friday, November 29th, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We will resume our regular schedule on Monday, December 2nd at 9:00 AM. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

During the holiday, our central station partners CMS and Rapid Response will be hard at work, monitoring Alarm Grid customer systems and helping to keep you, your loved ones, and your property safe and secure. We appreciate their dedication, sacrifice, and hard work!

Alarm Grid central station monitored accounts located inside the United States report to Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS). If you need to contact the monitoring station, to report a false alarm or to put your system on test, you can call (888) 818-7728 and choose Option [9]. Once an operator answers, you'll need to supply your name, address, and false alarm password.

Our Canadian customers can contact Rapid Response for central station inquiries. They can be reached at (800) 932-3822. Remember, when you call either monitoring station you will be asked for your name and address, and to verify your false alarm password or phrase. Providing the wrong information, or providing the Duress password, will result in a police dispatch.

For routine questions or to make changes to your account you'll need to speak to our support team. The monitoring station can't assist you with technical support or with changes to your zone list or call list. For those support needs you can email us at support@alarmgrid.com and we'll handle your request as quickly as possible once we're back in the office. Please bear with us as we clear any backlog of requests once we resume normal hours.

If you'll be traveling this Thanksgiving, be sure to secure your home and arm your system before you leave. Let your system work for you! If you're unsure of your false alarm password, take the time to confirm what it is before you leave. In the event of an alarm, providing the wrong false alarm password is the same as not providing a password at all. It will result in a dispatch.

If you'll be cooking this year, be prepared in the event of a smoke alarm. If you have smoke detectors tied to your alarm system and the alarm goes off due to steam or cooking smoke in the kitchen, silence the alarm. For all-in-one panels this usually means responding to a prompt on the panel screen. For older panels like the VISTA series, it means entering your User Code + Off at the keypad as you do when you disarm the system.

Be prepared, because a smoke alarm on a central station monitored system will result in a call from the monitoring station. For residential Alarm Grid customers, the monitoring station usually calls the user/residence prior to dispatching the fire department. An exception is when you request an immediate dispatch during account setup. If the alarm is the result of a cooking mishap, provide your false alarm password and speak with the operator. Based on the situation, you can determine whether a fire response is necessary.

If a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm is triggered, you should evacuate immediately and allow the responding agency to determine if it is safe for you to re-enter. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can kill very quickly. Pets and children are at particular risk, due to their smaller size.

Understand that the monitoring station must dispatch on a CO alarm report, regardless of whether you provide the false alarm password or not. This is for your safety and protection. The fire department has special equipment that can test for the presence of carbon monoxide, and determine its concentration. They also have ventilation equipment to help remove it. Follow their instructions and recommendations once they arrive.

Alarm Grid wishes you and your family a happy Thanksgiving with lots of great food, family, and friends. Whether you're the one traveling, or the one whose home everyone else is traveling to, we wish you a happy, safe, and secure holiday this year!

Our monitoring station partner CMS has a proven track record of providing reliable service, even during challenging conditions. With three facilities located in Florida, California, and New Jersey, they are well-equipped to handle the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene, as you'll see here.

Hurricane Helene, now a Category 3 storm with winds reaching 120 MPH, is expected to make landfall tonight on Florida's west coast near the panhandle. This powerful storm will likely impact residents in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee in the coming days. If you live in the affected area, please prepare accordingly and follow the evacuation orders issued by local officials.

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer located outside the area affected by Hurricane Helene you should notice no change in the way your alarm signals are treated. Although CMS has a location in Florida, its system routes incoming alarm reports to eliminate any negative impact on customers in unaffected areas.

If you are in the affected area, you can expect that low-priority signals (residential or commercial power failures, low batteries, supervisory and trouble signals) will be disregarded during the storm. Disregarding these signals frees operators up to concentrate on emergencies.

During the storm, the CMS Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system will initially handle all burglary alarms. The IVR uses Natural Language Speech Recognition (NLSR) to handle Burglary Alarms (except dispatch), and notifications on low-priority calls. This will be the case for any accounts in the affected areas while the storm is ongoing.

The IVR system provides immediate response to thousands of signals simultaneously, allowing Alarm Specialists to focus on responding to emergency conditions, i.e., Fire, Panic/Holdup, and Medical. In areas hit by Hurricane Helene, emergency personnel will likely cease responding to non-emergency calls for service, including burglary alarms.

For our customers who are in the path of this storm, please heed the advice of local officials and weather professionals. Do what you need to do to keep yourself and your family safe. When all is said and done, that's all that matters.

Rogers has set a date of March 31, 2025 for its 2G/3G network sunset. If you are a Canadian customer with a Rogers 2G/3G communicator, your system will cease to communicate via cellular upon shutdown. At best, you will see a trouble condition. At worst, communication will be cease completely.

Rogers is a large cellular provider in Canada. When AT&T and Verizon announced their respective 2G/3G network sunsets a few years back, Rogers made the decision to keep the portion of their network that is used by alarm communicators active. In the intervening years, it has been working to beef up its infrastructure. The time has now come to sunset the remainder of the older network.

If you have an alarm system with a Rogers cellular communicator you should begin planning an upgrade. This may require that you upgrade your whole system, or just your cellular communicator. Whichever the case, now is the time to begin planning. If your system uses cellular as its only means of communication, and you have one of these Rogers 2G/3G communicators, your system will be left unable to communicate once the shutdown takes place. In addition, you will see a trouble condition displayed on your system that you will be unable to clear.

If you have a dual-path system with a Rogers 2G/3G cellular communicator, then your system will still be able to communicate after the shutdown, but you will have a trouble condition on the system that won't clear until you either disable cellular communication, or correct the problem. In this case, correcting the problem means replacing the cellular communicator. Depending on your alarm panel, this may or may not be possible without replacing the entire panel.

Alarm.com customers who are affected by this sunset will soon begin seeing prompts telling them to upgrade. Starting in October, Alarm.com customers who still have a 2G/3G Rogers cellular communicator will see a trouble message when they log into the customer app or website. The message will instruct them to upgrade their communicator soon in order to avoid a service interruption.

This news may seem dire, but don't worry, Alarm Grid is here to help you through the transition. In future posts, we'll be providing additional information, including special promotional pricing to help you upgrade in the least painful way possible. We'll also be here with plenty of information on how best to upgrade. In the meantime, if you have questions you can send us an email to support@alarmgrid.com.

What 2GIG brought to the table at ISC West this year is a lineup of new sensors for the Edge panel. These sensors use the 900 MHz frequency band for extended wireless range. They also offer encryption for secure transmission. 2GIG boasts they will have a 2km or 1.2 mile transmitting range!

The new 2GIG E+ extended range sensors are not yet available, and we don't have an ETA yet on when they will be released. In addition, 2GIG Edge panels require a firmware update to version 1.3 (3.1.3.xxx) in order to support the new lineup. When the firmware is released, we'll update our 2GIG Edge Firmware Update Page with the new information. Hopefully, the firmware will be available just before, or simultaneously with the sensors.

We don't have all the details on this new sensor lineup, but what we do know we'll share with you here:

2GIG DW10E-900 Door Window Sensor:

With a two-way transmitting range comparable to that of the DSC PowerG sensors, these E+ extended range transmitters are sure to be a hit. The DW10E-900 is the redesigned door/window sensor in the lineup. The exterior lines are rounded while the interior lines, where the magnet and sensor come together are squared. With a built-in spacer, the DW10E-900 is meant to fit in more diverse locations. Dimensions: 2.42" x 1.07" x 0.58" (6.14cm x 2.71cm x 1.47cm). Expected battery life: eight (8) years. Data Sheet.

2GIG PIR1E-900 Motion Sensor:

The 2GIG PIR1E-900 has a coverage area of 30' x 50' (9.14m x 15.24m). It has an attractive and low profile appearance and is pet-friendly for pets up to 85 lbs (38.55kg). The PIR1E-900 boasts a quad sensing element and has a 100° maximum horizontal sensing angle. Dimensions: 3.53″ x 2.35″ x 1.63″ (8.96cm x 5.96cm x 4.14cm). Expected battery life: three (3) years. Data Sheet.

2GIG GB1E-900 Glass Break Detector:

The 2GIG GB1E-900 glass break detector can pick up the sound of breaking glass within a 15' (4.57m) diameter. It offers intelligent detection of different glass types, including plate, tempered, laminated or coated. Like some other glass break sensors, it requires both the low frequency sound of someone striking glass, followed by the high frequency sound of glass shattering in order to activate, reducing false alarms. Dimensions: 4.57" x 1.57" (11.60cm x 3.98cm). Expected battery life: five (5) years. Data Sheet.

2GIG DW30E-900 Outdoor Door/Window Sensor:

The 2GIG DW30E-900 is an outdoor rated door/window transmitter. It would also make an excellent gate sensor. And with its extended range, it can protect openings that may have once been considered too far away for protection by the alarm system. It can handle extreme temperatures of -40°F - +140°F (-40°C - +60°C) and is IP56 rated, meaning it is protected against dust accumulation that would interfere with its operation, and powerful water jets. It supports an external Normally Open or Normally Closed contact and is made to easily mount to gates, garages, or poles. Dimensions: 4.6" x 2.1" x 1.5" (11.68cm x 5.33cm x 3.81cm). Expected battery life: five (5) years. Data Sheet.

2GIG SMKT-900 Smoke/Heat/Freeze Detector:

the 2GIG SMKT900 is a triple threat. It offers detection for smoke, both high heat and rate-of-rise protection, and as an added bonus, it can also be programmed to monitor for low temperature conditions. The fixed heat temperature threshold is 134°F +/-4°F (56°C +/-2.22°C). The rate-of-rise detector activates if the temperature is 104°F (40°C) and increases by 15° in one (1) minute. The low temperature threshold is 40°F (4.44°C) for a minute or more. It restores when the temperature is 45°F (7.22°C) for a minute or more. Dimensions: 4.7" x 2.3" (11.93cm x 5.84cm). Expected battery life: three (3) years. Data Sheet.

All of these new sensors work with the 2GIG Edge. 2GIG has admittedly had some issues with firmware and compatibility, but one thing I can say about the Edge is that it is rock solid from a hardware perspective. It is very solid and feels substantial in a way that some of the other all-in-one panels do not. We're excited to see how this sensor lineup affects folks choosing the 2GIG Edge. You can see a feature comparison between the 2GIG Edge and the Resideo PROA7PLUS here.

02/14/24 1:09 PM UPDATE: Per Resideo, these two issues are unrelated. However, the second issue, involving AT&T communicators appears to have been resolved.

02/13/24 4:15 PM UPDATE: Resideo has an update on the AlarmNet360 site currently:

"A small percentage of ProSeries and LTEMP LTE AT&T communicators may experience signaling issues that could result in a communication failure message being generated to the monitoring Central Station.

This issue is being worked with AT&T for immediate resolution.

We appreciate your patience while we work to quickly resolve this issue."

It is not clear whether this is a separate issue, or is related to the Pro Series issue originally reported in this post. When we get that information, we will either update here or in a new post with details of the new issue. Keep watching this space for updates.

02/13/24 Original Post:

Recently, Resideo identified an issue with select PROA7 and PROA7PLUS panels: screens become dark/unresponsive, losing connection to AlarmNet. A hard reboot is required for a reset. Resideo plans a firmware upgrade to address this, which will be applied automatically to all Pro Series panels.

This alert applies to all Resideo and Honeywell Home Pro Series panels. This includes the PROA7, PROA7C, PROA7PLUS, and PROA7PLUSC. While they say the number of affected panels is very small, we don't yet have an actual number or a date code range to confirm those details.

In response to this issue, Resideo has a firmware update, 03.1872.18.0 which they will begin pushing to all registered Pro Series panels this week. The update will also be available to dealers to push manually beginning on 02/13/24. This is a critical update and will be pushed over WIFI, if available, or Cell if WIFI is unavailable. It is important to note that only registered panels can receive this firmware update. Registered means that there is an account associated with the panel.

An affected panel will be dark, with no status LEDs illuminated. Along with these visible symptoms, the panel will stop communicating with the AlarmNet servers. This will eventually generate a report to the monitoring station of E359, which indicates the panel failed a regularly scheduled check-in.

If you have a Pro Series panel and believe your panel is affected, we recommend you power cycle it as soon as possible. Remove the set screw in the bottom of the panel and pull the front and back of the panel apart. Doing this will automatically remove the primary DC power.

Next, find the panel's battery and unplug it from the main board. Leave it disconnected for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Now carefully put the panel back together. Doing so will reconnect the primary power and the panel should begin to boot up. Replace the set screw, if installed and allow the panel to boot. This should return the panel to normal operation and allow it to receive the firmware update.

Panels that receive the firmware update will reboot as a part of the update process. This will generate a signal to the monitoring station of E-339-Exp. Module Power On / Reset, or possibly E-305-System reset, or possibly both.

If we receive further details on this issue, we'll post them here, so stay tuned. Updates will be posted near the top of this page and will be highlighted with a bold date and wording to indicate new information. We have yet to receive an official MWT Technical Bulletin on this issue, but I believe one is likely coming soon. Hopefully, it will contain the details that are, so far, notably missing.