Site Announcements Posts

Posted By

Resideo, in a February 17, 2025, announcement, declared the end-of-life (EOL) for its first-generation Total Connect 2.0-compatible cameras. These cameras will no longer function with the TC2 platform after July 31, 2025. Resideo recommends replacing them promptly for uninterrupted service.

The following cameras and accessories are affected by this notice:
Product Name Image
IPCAM-WI
IPCAM-WL
IPCAM-PT
IPCAM-WI2
IPCAM-WO
IPCAM-PT2A
WAP-PLUS
WREX
ACU

The VX Series cameras from Resideo are now available for use with Total Connect 2.0, providing a significant upgrade in performance and features. Improvements include enhanced image resolution and quality, sophisticated AI event detection (allowing for more precise alerts), and integrated two-way audio functionality.

The VX Series doesn't directly replace some older camera equipment. Specifically, it lacks replacements for the first-generation pan-tilt camera, the ACU (analog converter unit), and the WAP-Plus access point. If you need to replace these older devices, Resideo suggests using one or more VX5 indoor cameras in place of the IP-CAM PT/IP-CAM PT2. Cameras currently connected to ACUs should also be replaced with the appropriate VX Series camera.

Recommended VX Series Replacements for Cameras at EOL:
Product Name Recommended
Replacement
IPCAM-WI VX5 Indoor Camera
IPCAM-WI2 VX5 Indoor Camera
IPCAM-WL VX5 Indoor Camera
IPCAM-WO VX3 Outdoor Camera
IPCAM-PT/IPCAM-PT2/PT2A One or More VX5 Indoor Cameras
ACU Replace ACU and Camera with appropriate Indoor or Outdoor VX5 Camera
AP/WAP-PLUS/WREX No Replacement Available

It's true what they say: all good things must come to an end. And while the original Total Connect 2.0 cameras were mediocre by today's standards, they served a vital purpose in a market with few options at the time. They were especially useful for DIYers looking to add integrated video to their alarm systems without a lot of extra complexity.

The VX Series cameras offer the modern features customers expect, integrating seamlessly with Total Connect 2.0, PROSeries panels, and the VISTAH3 (via its touchscreen keypad). For now, Resideo is keeping it simple, offering one (1) indoor camera, one (1) outdoor camera, and one (1) video doorbell option in the VX Series.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

Resideo and Honeywell Home unveil a new wall mount and charging station for PROWLTOUCH and VISTAHTCHWLC keypads. Redesigned with a 9VDC transformer, the PROWLTOUCHWA allows longer wire runs between the power outlet and the unit and offers improved stability while using wall-mounted keypads.


The original wall mount for PROWLTOUCH and PROWLTOUCHC keypads, the PROWLTOUCHWM, utilized a 5VDC power supply. This lower voltage restricted power wiring to a maximum of 34 feet (10.3 meters) when using 18 AWG wire. This limitation rendered the PROWLTOUCHWM unsuitable for some applications. Furthermore, when the touchscreen keypad was mounted on the PROWLTOUCHWM and used for system control, the keypad exhibited instability and a tendency to move.

With its 9VDC power supply, the PROWLTOUCHWA supports wire runs that are up to 277' (84m) long. That's more than 500% longer than with the PROWLTOUCHWM! The redesign also improves the stability of the keypad while it is mounted. So, no more "Galloping Gertie" while you try to control your system.

Wire Gauge and Length Chart For PROWLTOUCHWA

Wire Gauge
Max Length
Increase over PROWLTOUCHWM
#16 AWG 277 Feet (84m) N/A
#18 AWG 174 Feet (53m) 140 Feet (511%)
#20 AWG 110 Feet (33m) 89 Feet (524%)
#22 AWG 68 Feet (20m) 55 Feet (523%)
2 - #22 AWG
(Twisted Together)
136 Feet (41m) N/A

The PROWLTOUCHWA and PROWLTOUCHWM use different power supplies (9VDC and 5VDC, respectively). These power supplies are not interchangeable*. Using the 9VDC power supply with the PROWLTOUCHWM could damage the touchscreen keypad during charging. This is due to the incompatibility of the PROWLTOUCHWM's internal circuitry with the higher voltage.

*Per Resideo, there will be a very limited number of PROWLTOUCHWM units that can work with the 9VDC power supply. These units will have a date code on the product, which signifies their ability to support the higher input voltage.

Both the Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCHWA wall mount and the Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCHDM desk mount provide the convenience of a fixed keypad location with integrated battery charging. However, these mounts also offer the flexibility to detach the keypad for portable use. This is especially helpful during tasks like adding zones or programming Z-Wave devices, which often require direct interaction with the device being configured.

Due to the design modifications required for enhanced stability of the keypad when mounted, the PROWLTOUCHWA is no longer compatible with installation using a standard gang box. This is a minor inconvenience when compared with significant gains in stability and overall performance.


Alarm Grid has discontinued the original PROWLTOUCHWM and is now pleased to offer the enhanced PROWLTOUCHWA. If you haven't explored wall or desk mounting options for your touchscreen keypad, it is an add-on that we can wholeheartedly recommend. The ability to detach the keypad for mobile use during programming is game changing. Whether you have a new VISTAH3, a PROA7, or a PROA7PLUS system with an add-on touchscreen, this is a product that will quickly prove its worth.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

As we close out 2024, our offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. I'll be practicing writing and typing 2025 instead of 2024, how about you? Although tech support will be closed, our central station partners will be on the job, ready to respond.

The year 2024 was pretty low-key in our industry. There were a few notable things, and we'll recap those here:

January:

In January, Alarm.com announced that because of changes T-Mobile made within their network, customers who formerly received MMS notifications for video events with a thumbnail, would begin receiving SMS messages with a link instead. You can read the full post here.

February:

The big news in February was a nationwide AT&T carrier outage that affected cell phone users and alarm communicators alike. As a carrier outage, both AlarmNet and Alarm.com customers were affected. According to the FCC, AT&T implemented "a network change with an equipment configuration error" that caused the issue. You can read the original blog post here.

March:

Among other things, in March we told customers how they can request new products for Alarm Grid to offer. You can click this link to request a product. For a full rundown on the required information, check out the post.

2024 seemed to be the year of the squatter, and we discussed ways to use an alarm system, particularly one with video support, to thwart this unique threat. Check out that post.

April:

April is ISC West month. As you may know, ISC West is the largest US trade show for the security and survaillance industry. It takes place in spring each year in sunny Las Vegas. Each manufacturer comes to the show with their best new offerings. We recapped some of those offerings here.

May:

In May, I set out to educate myself, and hopefully you, about Matter, the official Internet of Things (IoT) protocol. A new version of Matter was released in May, that drew quite a bit of attention. You can read about that, and matter in general, here.

June:

In June, I attempted to educate our readers on the joys of using B-connectors, sometimes referred to as beanies or "Dolphins". Since Dolphin is a brand name, we choose to refer to them as beanies. You can read our post on using B-connectors here.

I also posted about the potential danger of the "Shutdown System" menu option in the Resideo PROA7PLUS series panels. In short, it's best not to select that option. You can read the full post here.

July:

In July, Alarm.com rolled out their "Alarm Triggered Warning Sounds" feature. This is a configuration option that causes compatible cameras to emit an audible warning sound when a burglary alarm occurs. You can read all about this feature in this post.

Another global IT outage affected customers in July. On July 19, the now infamous "Crowdstrike Outage" for Windows systems occurred. This affected not the communicators that send signals, but the servers that receive and process them. You can read about the outage and what caused it in this post.

July was a big month! Rogers announced their plans to sunset the 2G/3G networks in Canada. The sunset is coming March 31, 2025, so if you're a Canadian customer with a Rogers communicator, prepare yourself! You can read more here.

August:

In August, Alarm.com released the "Alarm Mode" feature. Meant to make responding to an alarm as quick and easy as possible, Alarm Mode groups all alarm activity together on a single card that shows up on the customer dashboard when logging into the Alarm.com app. Read the full post for details.

On August 13, Resideo/First Alert put a quality hold on all VX1 video doorbells due to a problem with battery charging. A firmware update resolved the issue and the doorbell is again available. You can read that post, with updates, here.

Alarm.com released an all-new floodlight/camera combination unit called the ADC-V729. This product fills a previously underserved niche in the market. It comes in an AC, a 24 VDC, and a PoE version. Read all about it here.

Resideo announced in August that they were transitioning all SkyBell Video Doorbell users to a new backend via a firmware update. This occurred because of changes with the underlying SkyBell platform. You can read about that update here.

September:

In September, we wrote about a mandatory firmware update for older Total Connect 2.0 cameras. Any affected camera that failed to receive this update would no longer work with Total Connect 2.0. Cameras had until October 31, 2024 to properly update cameras. Read the full post for details.

On a more personal note, Alarm Grid rolled out our new CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform in September. It has definitely been an adjustment, and we had a bit of a backlog of support tickets at first, but we're hitting our stride with it now. You can read about that here.

On September 27, we began preparing for Hurricane Helene. Some of our employees are located in Florida, so hurricanes often affect us both personally and professionally. You can read that notice here. We also discussed the effects hurricanes have on alarm system efficacy here.

October:

Alarm.com introduced some new Apple Widgets in response to Apple retiring the Alarm.com Today widget earlier in the year. There were two available widget options and you can read about those here.

Alarm Grid announced the new Alarm.com ADC-SVR210. Since this is not a rack mounted SVR (Stream Video Recorder) it's more of a residential than a commercial offering, though it can certainly also be used in a small business. An SVR works in conjunction with Alarm.com cameras to allow a user to record video 24/7. You can read about the launch here.

November:

In November, CMS, our central station partner for US-based customers, reported an uptick in their calls being blocked. If you have an alarm, and the monitoring station's call to you is blocked, you can't verify if the alarm is false or not. That will almost always result in a dispatch of authorities, unless you have some other specific instructions on file. Read about the issue in this post.

December:

December seems to be the month when everyone jumped on the two-factor authentication (2FA) bandwagon. Alarm.com jumped too, and now all Alarm.com customers are asked to set up 2FA. Interestingly, not only does Total Connect 2.0 not require 2FA, they don't even offer it. I've emailed them for information on why, and I'm waiting for a response. Here's our blog on Alarm.com requiring 2FA.

That's 2024 in a nutshell. It may not have been a monumental year, but it was also nothing to sneeze at. I hope you've enjoyed reading along with me throughout the year, and that you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. As I always say, stick with me and I'll get you through this troubled world!

If you need to contact either central station while we're out, the information to do so is below. Alarm Grid fully-monitored customers in the United States should contact CMS, while Canadian-based customers should contact Rapid Response.

Alarm Grid Central Station Monitored Customers in the US Contact CMS

  1. Call 888-818-7728, choose Option 9 to contact the monitoring station.
  2. Provide your name and address.
  3. Provide your False Alarm Password. This is the password you chose when you set up monitoring. This is the word that means "Everything is OK." If you provide the wrong word or phrase, or if you provide the Duress Password (the one that means "I'm pretending everything is ok, but I really want help!" then the operator will dispatch authorities.
  4. Let the operator know the reason for your call. Provide any additional helpful information and answer any questions they may have.


Alarm Grid Canadian Central Station Monitored Customers Contact Rapid Response

  1. Call (800) 932-3822 and follow any prompts provided. Depending on availability, you may reach a person immediately, or you may be provided with menu prompts.
  2. Provide your name and address.
  3. Provide your False Alarm Password. This is the password you set up during your activation appointment. It means "Everything is OK." If you provide the wrong information, or if you provide the Duress Password, the one that means "I'm saying everything is OK, but I really want you to send help." the operator will dispatch authorities.
  4. Discuss the reason for your call with the operator.

If you're attempting to make changes to your call list, zone list, or other account related information, the monitoring station can't help you with those items. You'll need to contact us when we're back in the office. The best way to do that is to email us.

Our email address is support@alarmgrid.com. If you're emailing to make account changes, please provide your False Alarm Password, or the last four (4) digits of the credit or debit card we have on file. This will speed up our response and prevent unnecessary back-and-forth emails.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

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!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

When a hurricane strikes, widespread power outages, flooding, and wind damage overwhelm residents and emergency personnel. In such crises, property security becomes secondary to life-saving efforts. Any alarm system may fail during extended power outages, further complicating the situation.

As Florida prepares for Hurricane Milton, the second large hurricane forecast to hit the state within the past month, this is a good time to discuss the ways in which these storms affect your alarm system and the response to it.

The Alarm System

A hurricane can physically affect your alarm system in several ways. High winds caused by hurricanes can rattle windows and doors, potentially triggering alarms in older homes with loose fittings. If your alarm system is armed during a hurricane, these vibrations could lead to false alarms. If you have glass break detectors, they can be triggered by weather-related breaking glass.

Electrical power is crucial for alarm systems. If you're an Alarm Grid DIYer, you know that your system has a backup battery to keep it operating during AC power outages. For hardwired systems, you can choose the battery size based on a battery calculation sheet. The goal is typically at least 24 hours of standby power.

When we refer to "standby power," we mean the power consumed by your alarm system when it's not actively in an alarm state. During an alarm, your system requires significantly more power, which can deplete the battery faster. For hardwired systems, you can calculate this additional power consumption and install a larger battery, provided you comply with the manufacturer's specifications.

For all-in-one systems like the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 or Resideo PROA7PLUS, battery options are limited. The included battery is typically UL or ETL listed for at least 24 hours of standby power. This is often the only available option. To extend battery life during power outages, you might consider using a generator or exploring alternative battery solutions. However, these alternative solutions may void the manufacturer's warranty and may cause issues.

While cellular communication for alarms has become widespread, hurricanes can disrupt cellular service due to power outages, infrastructure damage, and other factors. If your alarm system relies on cellular connectivity and the service is interrupted, your system may be unable to report alarms or other conditions. You may also need to clear a communicator trouble condition when you return.

The Responding Authorities

Police, fire, and EMS agencies have specific protocols for responding to emergencies, including those caused by hurricanes. For example, according to Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS), one of our monitoring station partners, many agencies suspend responses to non-emergency dispatches when sustained winds reach 45 MPH.

During and after a hurricane, emergency services will be overwhelmed with requests. While many calls may be legitimate emergencies, others might be less urgent. Unfortunately, there may not be enough resources to respond to every call. As a result, reports of burglar alarms will not be treated as a priority and may not receive a response for some time after the hurricane has passed.

The Monitoring Station

The monitoring station will also be dealing with higher traffic. CMS has provided the following information:

  • CMS has increased manpower at its Longwood, FL, and Manasquan, NJ monitoring centers. Please be aware that despite our best efforts, callers may still experience longer than normal wait times.
  • Please understand first responders will no longer respond to dispatches from CMS once sustained winds reach 45 mph.
  • CMS will continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of our dealers, their subscribers, and our employees.

CMS is always prepared with true redundancy; It is equipped with three (3), UL listed, FM (Factory Mutual) approved monitoring centers located throughout the United States. Its monitoring centers are connected using the latest in communications technology, allowing it to load balance by redistributing operator resources during spikes in alarm activity.

If disaster strikes any one of the CMS monitoring centers, each of them is backed up by two (2) generators and uninterruptable power supplies Each center is prepared to route alarm signals to the other CMS central stations located across the country. Through the years, CMS has seen just about every type of emergency. They have the experience and facilities to keep them running 24/7 in the face of any storm or other disaster.

With their unique infrastructure, CMS is ready to handle nearly any conceivable situation. Their operators are second to none in the industry. If you call on them, they will be ready to assist you in any way they can. Please heed warnings from experts in your area and evacuate your family, your pets, and yourself if advised to do so.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

Alarm Grid offers the latest wireless keypads, compatible with IQ4 and IQ Pro panels. The Qolsys IQ Keypad-PG is a simple capacitive touch keypad, while the Qolsys IQ Keypad Prox-PG adds a prox tag reader for easy use. Both keypads offer PowerG's impressive range for reliable communication.

Below is the IQ Keypad Prox-PG. The bullseye symbol in the lower right denotes the proximity reader:


As wonderful as a big, beautiful touchscreen interface is, sometimes you just need to arm or disarm the system and don't want to walk to the panel to do it. Maybe you're entering or exiting through a seldom-used basement door or planning to hang out in the garage when you arrive home. A secondary arming and disarming station can come in handy, for a wide variety of reasons.

Enter the two (2) new PowerG keypads available from Qolsys. The Qolsys IQ Keypad-PG is a basic wireless keypad that allows you to disarm by entering a valid code through the number pad. It has icons for single-touch Night, Away, and Stay arming when secure arming is disabled. When secure arming is enabled, arm using any valid user code.

If you can arm through the touchscreen without entering a code, then Secure Arming is disabled. You can change this setting by tapping the gray menu bar at the top of the screen, above the date and time, then tapping Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter Installer or Dealer Code (1111 or 2222 respectively, by default) > Installation > Security & Arming > Secure Arming. This feature is disabled by default. That means, by default, you can arm the system without entering a valid code.

When we talk about the IQ4 panels, we're talking about the IQ Panel 4, the Qolsys flagship, top-of-the-line, feature-rich touchscreen panel. Also included is the IQ4 Hub, another touchscreen panel with a slightly trimmed-down feature set. And finally, the IQ4 NS rounds out this panel lineup. The IQ4 NS is a budget-friendly option with nearly identical features as the IQ4 Hub, minus the touchscreen interface. All these panels support the IQ Keypad-PG and the IQ Keypad Prox-PG and prox tag arming/disarming. Just be sure the panel has the latest firmware.

IQ Keypad-PG

The IQ Keypad-PG is a stylish capacitive-touch numerical keypad. It has PowerG wireless transmitting capability and offers superior range, military-grade, 128-bit AES encryption, and bi-directional communication with the panel. Four (4) AA batteries are used to power the unit. Only Energizer AA 1.5 Volt Alkaline batteries should be used. The expected battery life is three (3) years. Each alarm system can support up to five (5) keypads.

IQ Keypad Prox-PG

The IQ Keypad Prox-PG has the same features and specifications as the IQ Keypad-PG, with one exception. It supports prox tags. If you're unfamiliar with prox tags, they're small, hand-held devices that allow you to easily arm and disarm the system by presenting the tag to the keypad in the designated space. When you present your valid tag to the keypad while the system is armed, it will toggle the system to a disarmed state. If you present your tag to the keypad when the system is disarmed, it will attempt to arm the system.

Prox tags come in packs of four (4). The included clip allows them to connect easily to a key ring:


If Force Arm is enabled when you present your prox tag to arm the system, any faulted zones will automatically be bypassed and then the system will arm. If Force Arm is disabled the system will refuse to arm until all zones are restored and the prox tag is presented again. Also, when you present a prox tag to the keypad while the system is disarmed, it will first attempt to arm Stay, then if you present the tag again, it will arm Away.

You can verify the Force Arm setting by tapping the gray menu bar at the top of the screen, above the time and date. Then tap Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter Installer or Dealer Code (1111 or 2222 respectively, by default) > Installation > Security & Arming > Force Arm. This feature is enabled by default. That means, if you attempt to arm and any zones are open or faulted, they will automatically be bypassed so the system can arm.

Specifications:

  • Models: IQ Keypad-PG, IQ Keypad Prox-PG (4 Prox Tags Included)
  • Interface: Capacitive touch keypad (0-9, *, #, Arm Stay, Arm Away, Arm Night options)
  • Available Frequency: PowerG 912 - 919 MHz
  • Status Indicator: Status LEDs (Trouble, Arming, Status)
  • Sounder: One (1) for key presses, chirps, and alarms.
  • Tamper: Yes, Wall and Enclosure Tamper.
  • Power Source: 4 x AA – Use only Energizer AA 1.5V Alkaline Batteries.
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 6.1” x 4.6” x .91” (155mm x 117mm x 23mm)
  • Mounting Options: Back plate, wall mount only.
  • UL/cUL/ULC Certification: UL/cUL Residential Fire and Burglary and UL/ULC Commercial Burglary Alarm Control Unit. Compliant with standards: UL985, UL1023, UL2610, ULC-S545, ULC-S304.
  • FCC/IC Certification: FCC ID: 2AAJXQS-IQKP IC: 11205A-QSIQKP.
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F - 131°F (-10°C - +55°C) With up to 93% relative humidity, indoor, dry, climate-controlled use only (*)

*UL has only verified operation in 32°F - 120.2°F (0°C - +49°C) and 93% Relative Humidity.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

We're excited to announce that Alarm Grid is transitioning to a state-of-the-art customer relationship management (CRM) system. This powerful new tool will streamline our operations, enabling us to provide even better support and service to our valued customers. Our customers are like family.

As we implement this new system, there may be temporary delays in responding to phone calls and emails. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience during this transition period.

Once the new CRM is fully integrated, we'll be better equipped to:

  • Efficiently track customer information.
  • Promptly respond to support requests.
  • Offer more personalized assistance

Our goal is to emerge from this transition with a more robust and efficient customer support process. Thank you for your understanding as we work towards a brighter future for all of us at Alarm Grid.

For customers with full central station monitoring, rest assured that our partnership with CMS and Rapid Response remains unchanged. Both monitoring stations will continue to provide the same professional service you've always relied on. Your system's security and response times will not be affected by this update.

If you're an Alarm Grid customer and you need assistance, send us an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We're still here, and still looking out for you and your system, we just may be running a little behind. If you have an issue or request that can't wait, give us a call at 1-888-818-7728. Our support hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM EDT.

Tags: , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

The Alarm Grid offices will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 2. This allows our team members a chance to enjoy the final holiday this summer season. We will return on Tuesday, rested and ready to help you protect your home or business from burglary, fire, carbon monoxide, and flood.

Our monitoring station partners, Criticom Monitoring Service (CMS) and Rapid Response, are available 24/7/365 to respond to any alarms, troubles, or environmental situations that may arise from an Alarm Grid-monitored system.

Alarm Grid customers in the United States receive monitoring service through Criticom (CMS). When your Alarm Grid system sends a signal, a CMS operator receives and processes it based on a pre-set list of instructions. Alarm processing may involve immediately sending authorities or calling the premises and a list of contacts to determine if an emergency exists before dispatching. Whatever the instructions, the process takes only moments to complete.

If you need to contact CMS, either to put your system on test or to report that an alarm does not require dispatch, you can do so by calling (888) 818-7728 and choosing Option 9. When you contact them, be sure to have the proper information ready. They will need your name, address, and your false alarm password or phrase. This is very important! If you call the monitoring station during an alarm and provide an incorrect password, they will be required to dispatch authorities.

For Alarm Grid's Canadian monitored customers, monitoring service is provided by Rapid Response. If you need to contact them, you can call (800) 932-3822 and follow the prompts. You should only contact them for issues such as putting your system on test or canceling a potential dispatch due to an accidental alarm.

Neither monitoring station can provide technical support or make changes to your account, so if you need that type of help, please contact Alarm Grid instead. You can email support@alarmgrid.com with details of what you need, and we will respond as quickly as possible when we're back in the office on Tuesday, September 3. Our support hours are from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM EDT if you prefer to call, but please be patient as we clear any backlog of requests.

We hope you have a relaxing holiday weekend with your loved ones. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and make sure your pets have plenty of fresh, cold water. If you'll be traveling during the holiday, be sure to arm your alarm system before you leave. And most importantly, have fun!

Tags: , , , , , ,

Comments


Posted By

Update 09/25/24: We noticed the display issue, where apparent programming information was displayed is resolved. There's no information on exactly when this occurred.

Update 08/29/24 2:12 pm EDT: According to Resideo, they have received reports of this same behavior from other dealers. Alarm Grid alone reported no less than 17 accounts with the issue. Per engineering, the notification issue was resolved at approximately 10:09 am EDT this morning. The other issue, with erroneous programming information being displayed on the screen is ongoing.

Original Post 08/29/24 9:55 am EDT: So far, we've only seen this reported with PROSeries panels. At the top of the Activity screen some coding information is being displayed. In addition, each time a Sensor Open notification is added to the Activity screen a Disarm notification is also added, even though no disarm occurred.

Below is an example of the coding information being displayed at the top of the activity screen:

In this screenshot, you can see a disarm with the same timestamp as the preceding event:


The PROSeries panels include the Honeywell Home PROA7 and PROA7PLUS and the Resideo PROA7C and PROA7PLUSC. These panels are collectively known as the PROSeries.

This appears to be a coding error, and will hopefully be a simple fix. We have reported this to Resideo, but haven't heard back from them yet. This is a developing situation, so we will update this post as more information becomes available.

The main thing to understand at this point is that although this is an annoyance, it doesn't seem to affect the ability to control your system remotely. It also appears to have no effect on your system's ability to report alarm signals to the monitoring station, when central station monitoring is being used.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments