How Do I Add the Zigbee Daughtercard to the IQ Panel 4?

To install the Zigbee Card in the Qolsys IQ Panel 4, use the menu to power the system down. Remove both the battery and DC power connections. Remove the back cover and locate the installation slot. Install the card, then reattach the back, connect battery then DC Power. Power the panel on

The Zigbee Card, once installed properly, allows the IQ Panel 4 to support both Zigbee security sensors and Zigbee automation devices. Check out a list of compatible devices. Not only can the addition of this card allow a user to take advantage of Zigbee automation devices, but some proprietary systems use Zigbee alarm sensors. The addition of this card may also allow the user to replace the proprietary panel without having to replace every sensor.

Installation of the daughtercard is very simple, just follow these steps:

1. Power the system down. Qolsys panels differ from some other panels in that you must power them down using the menu first. Do so by clicking the gray Menu bar at the top of the screen, then choosing Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter Installer or Dealer Code (1111 or 2222 respectively, by default) > Power Down. Once all LEDs turn off and the screen is black the system is powered down. Out of an abundance of caution, we also recommend that you unplug the backup battery and the power supply before inserting the card.
   
   
   After you choose the option to Power Down, you'll see the screen below. If you want the panel to run the Setup Wizard when it powers back up, leave the box at the top checked. If not, uncheck it, then press "OK".
   
   
2. Access the back of the panel. If the panel is mounted to the wall, you'll need to remove it from the wall mounting plate. Do so by loosening the set screw located on the bottom edge of the panel. You'll need a small Phillips head screwdriver to do this. Once the screw is loosened, pull the bottom of the panel forward, then lift it straight up to remove the panel from the mounting plate. Lay it face down on a stable flat surface. If the panel isn't mounted yet, then simply lay it on a flat surface, face down, loosen the set screw, pull the bottom of the backplate straight up, and then toward the panel's bottom edge to remove it. At this point, you can make sure that the battery is disconnected from the board. Be sure the DC power adapter is unplugged as well. Because the barrel connector is somewhat delicate, I recommend unplugging the power adapter rather than unplugging it from the panel side.
   
   
   
   
3. Install the Zigbee Card. For a couple of reasons, this can be difficult. The space you're working in is small and relatively dark. Also, one of the antennas for another daughtercard may be in the way.
   
   Below is the back of the card. When installed, this side will be facing away from you.
   
   
   
   Below is the front of the card. This is the side you'll see when the card is installed:
   
   
   If you happen to have a headlight, the kind of bright light you can wear with a strap around your head, it comes in handy for this step. Carefully line the male connector on the back of the Zigbee Card up with the female connector located in the empty card slot on the Qolsys IQ Panel 4. This is made difficult if the antenna wire for one of the other cards is in the way because you must keep the bottom-left corner UNDER the antenna wire while you're lining the connectors up.
   
   Below is a blown-up view of the antenna wire that crosses the space where the Zigbee Card goes.
   
   
   It is possible to unplug the antenna wire, install the Zigbee Card, and then plug the antenna back in, however, WE DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING SO. If you break the connector, which is very easy to break, you may void the warranty on the panel. Instead, put the bottom left edge of the card under the antenna wire, line the male connector on the back surface of the card up with the female connector on the main IQ4 board, then press it straight down until it won't move any farther. Apply the set screw and tighten it down. Don't over-tighten the screw.
4. Close the panel. Plug in the backup battery. Mount the panel to the mounting plate, if your panel was initially wall-mounted. Do so by lining the panel up just above the mounting plate, sliding the top down onto the tabs at the top of the plate, then pressing the bottom edge of the panel straight forward onto the mounting plate. Tighten the bottom set screw again. If you're just now mounting your panel to the wall, install the back mounting plate to the wall, making sure it's level, then follow the instructions given above for re-mounting the panel. Plug in the DC Power Adapter and the panel should begin to boot up. If it does not, press the power button on the right side of the panel for three (3) seconds until it begins the boot process.
5. Test the card. Once the panel boots up, you can run a daughtercard test of the new Zigbee Card. Press the gray menu bar at the top of the screen. Go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter Installer or Dealer Code (1111 or 2222 respectively, by default) > System Tests > Daughtercard Test.
   
   
   
   
   
   To exit, just press the House icon at the bottom of the screen. This will return you to the panel's home screen. You're now ready to use Zigbee devices. If your result is not a Pass, then begin again at step 1. Remove the Zigbee Card, then make sure that you align the pins on the card with the holes on the card slot perfectly and try again.