Does the IQ5 NS Security System Support Daughter Cards?

A daughter card on the IQ5 NS is an optional expansion module that adds support for legacy wireless sensor frequencies. The panel supports PowerG natively, but daughter cards let you use existing 319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, or 433 MHz sensors from Honeywell, 2GIG, or DSC alongside PowerG.

Why Daughter Cards Exist

The IQ5 NS (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) is a screenless security system panel that ships with PowerG wireless technology built in. Daughter cards add a second radio inside the panel to support legacy 319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, or 433 MHz sensors. This makes the IQ5 NS useful for takeover installations where existing Honeywell, 2GIG, DSC, or Interlogix sensors can be kept rather than replaced. The IQ5 NS supports one daughter card at a time alongside its built-in PowerG radio. All sensor management is done through the IQ Installer app.

Available Daughter Cards

Three daughter cards are available for the IQ5 NS. The IQ QC0004-840 adds 319.5 MHz support for Qolsys/Interlogix sensors. The IQ QC0005-840 adds 345 MHz support for Honeywell and 2GIG sensors. The IQ QC0008-840 adds 433 MHz support for Legacy DSC sensors. Each card is physically installed inside the panel before setup. Once installed, the IQ Installer app recognizes the card automatically after the panel reboots.

IQ5 NS Daughter Cards Test in the IQ Installer app showing installed card slots

Alt Text: IQ5 NS IQ Installer app daughter cards test screen showing card slot options

What Daughter Cards Do Not Do

Daughter cards add the ability to receive legacy sensor signals but do not provide two-way communication or encryption for those sensors. PowerG encryption and supervision only apply to PowerG sensors. For full security benefits, upgrading to PowerG sensors is the better long-term approach. After installing a daughter card, verify it is working by running the Daughter Cards Test through the IQ Installer app under Tests. Add a monitoring plan to ensure all sensors — PowerG and legacy — report to a central station for professional dispatch.

Daughter cards on the IQ5 NS expand wireless sensor compatibility to include legacy frequencies without replacing existing sensors on the IQ5 NS. For help with daughter cards or sensor compatibility or other configurations on your IQ5 NS, 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.