How Do I Enable Power Down Communication on the IQ5 NS?

To enable Power Down Event Communication on the IQ5 NS, open the IQ Installer app and navigate to the Installer Settings, then enable Power Down Event Communication so the panel reports a deliberate power down event. Because the panel has no screen of its own, this is all done in the app.

About Power Down Event Communication

Power Down Event Communication on the IQ5 NS (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) controls whether the panel reports when it is intentionally shut down. When it is enabled, the panel sends a unique event code to Alarm.com and the central station any time the Master Code is used to reach the Power Down option. That gives your monitoring a clear record that someone deliberately powered the system off, rather than the panel simply going quiet, which is valuable oversight for your security system.

The setting is disabled by default, so out of the box a deliberate power down is not reported as its own event. Enabling it is useful when you want accountability around who shuts the panel down and when, such as at a business or any site where an unexpected power down should raise a flag. It only applies to a Master Code power down through the Power Down option, not to a simple loss of AC power.

Before You Begin

Because the IQ5 NS has no screen, its Installer Settings are reached through the IQ Installer app. If you have not yet connected the IQ Installer app to your panel, see our guide on setting up the IQ5 NS with the IQ Installer app before proceeding. For the reported event to mean anything, the system should be monitored, since the unique code is sent to Alarm.com and the central station that watches your account.

Enable Power Down Event Communication

1. Open the IQ Installer app. Open the IQ Installer app on your mobile device and make sure it is connected to your IQ5 NS.
   
   Open the IQ Installer app connected to your IQ5 NS.
2. Navigate to Installer Settings. In the app, go to the Installer Settings and find the Power Down Event Communication setting.
   
   Navigate to Installer Settings and find Power Down Event Communication.
3. Enable the setting. Enable Power Down Event Communication. The panel will now send a unique event code to Alarm.com and the central station whenever the Power Down option is accessed with the Master Code. Disable it any time to return to the default.
   
   Enable the Power Down Event Communication setting.

Tips

This setting reports only a deliberate power down done through the Power Down option with the Master Code, so it does not cover a normal AC power outage, which is handled by the separate AC power trouble reporting. Enabling it is a good idea for commercial sites or any location where you want to know if the panel was intentionally shut off. Because the event goes to your central station, let your monitoring provider know you are turning it on so they recognize the signal.

Enabling Power Down Event Communication on the IQ5 NS gives your monitoring a record of any deliberate panel shutdown. For help with Power Down Event Communication or other reporting settings 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.