How Do I Install the PowerG+ Water Tile (PGP9986)?

Determine whether you'll use the DSC PGP9986 Water Tile alone, or with an external probe or sensing cable, both sold separately. This will determine the unit's mounting location. Once mounted, auto enroll to the panel by properly installing the batteries or pressing the multi-function button.

This image shows the contents of the Water Tile box. The Apple TV remote is shown for scale:

The areas around water heaters, sinks, commodes, washing machines, and sump pumps are all great places to install flood and freeze protection. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III) between 2018 and 2022 about one in sixty insured homes had a claim due to flood or freezing. The average claim costs about $14,000.

The DSC PGP9986 Water Tile Flood and Freeze sensor is a great way to enhance your security system for ultimate property protection. You can use it alone by simply laying the sensor on any flat surface where water shouldn't be present. Alternatively, you can connect it to a remote probe or sensing cable.

When using a probe or sensing cable, install the PGP9986 itself above the protected area in the mounting bracket provided with the cable or probe. The probe or sensing cable plugs into this bracket and the PGP9986 Water Tile then snaps into the bracket. The metal sensing points of the Water Tile make contact with similar metal points on the bracket. You can use one probe, or up to two sensing cables to expand the area of protection. If using two sensing cables, the second plugs into the end of the first.

The sensing cable is unique in that it activates an alarm if water touches any portion of the cable. This allows for much more flexibility and coverage in areas where you're not sure where water may show up first in a flood or leak. This could be a basement floor, a utility closet, or nearly any other area. The PGP9986 can detect any water-based liquid except distilled water.

The DSC PGPx986-ACC-Probe Remote Probe and the DSC PGPx986-ACC-Cable Sensing Cable are not available at the time of this writing, but will be offered soon. We'll make them available as soon as possible. Each probe and sensing cable comes with a wall mounting bracket

Important Note: The DSC PGP9986 should be installed in non-hazardous indoor locations only.

Installing the DSC PGP9986 Water Tile

These steps assume the Water Tile is being used with a fully compatible alarm panel. Currently, that includes the Qolsys IQ Panel 4, IQ4 Hub, IQ4-NS (on firmware 4.6.1+) and the IQ Pro running firmware 4.4.1n+. The process for pairing for use in fallback mode differs from these steps and we won't be covering that process in this FAQ.

1. Open the Water Tile. Using a flathead screwdriver, gently pry the corner of the top piece away from the corner of the bottom piece and disengage each until the top and bottom pieces are separated. You should now be able to see the batteries. Don't overthink it. You don't have to get your screw driver blade between the top and bottom pieces. Just put the end in the visible groove and gently lever each corner loose.
   
   
   
2. Properly install the batteries. The Water Tile is shipped from the factory with the batteries installed with reversed polarity. When properly installed, the positive (+) side of the battery should be visible. From the factory, the batteries are inserted with the positive (+) mark not showing. To remove the batteries, use your thumbnail on the exposed edge of the battery and lever it out from between the three plastic battery clips. Repeat this process for both batteries. Reinstall the batteries with the positive (+) side facing up. Push the leading edge of the battery under the rear two clips, use your thumb to pull the front clasp back slightly and reinsert each battery.
   
   Batteries shown as shipped, with reversed polarity (Positive (+) side facing away):
   
   
   
   
   
3. Replace the cover. Snap the cover back into place. The Water Tile is sealed against water entering and has an IP65 rating when properly installed, so it's important to make sure that the cover is securely in place. If water is able to enter the Water Tile itself, it will cause damage. An IP65 rating is not adequate to protect against immersion in water. So, if you think the Water Tile might become immersed in water during a flood, it's best to use either the probe or sensing cable. After replacing the cover inspect the unit to be sure there are no gaps and that the cover is completely secure.
   
4. Place the unit. This step will vary depending on how you plan to use the PGP9986 Water Tile. We'll cover each option below:
   

   Floor Mounting

   1. Find a flat area where water is likely to accumulate first in a water leak or flood. You can simply place the water tile in place with the two (2) metal electrodes toward the floor. Alternatively, you can stick the Water Tile to the floor using the double-sided foam tape supplied. Bear in mind the adhesive may mar the floor's finish. If you're concerned about this, it is best not to use it.
   2. If you choose to use the foam tape, make sure the bottom of the Water Tile is clean and free of dust. Remove one side of the tape's non-stick covering and stick the foam tape to the bottom of the sensor. Don't cover any portion of the metal electrodes.
      
   3. Once the foam tape is attached to the Water Tile, remove the other side of the tape covering. Firmly press the Water Tile to the floor in the desired location. Hold it there for one (1) minute to ensure that it sticks.

   Using the Water Probe or Sensing Cable

   1. The procedure for installation is the same whether you're using the probe or sensing cable. Plug the probe or cable into the provided mounting bracket. The probe or cable should be placed where it is likely to come into contact with water early in a flooding event. Once you determine the best location, the bracket and Water Tile can be installed at any height/location that allows the probe or cable to reach the desired area. Be sure the bracket and the Water Tile itself will not become submerged.
   2. Use the three (3) provided Phillips #6 x 1" (2.54cm) screws to mount the bracket to the wall.
   3. Slide the Water Tile into the bracket until it clicks into place.
5. Auto-learn the sensor. On the IQ4 Panel, enter programming by tapping the gray bar at the top of the screen then tapping Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter Installer or Dealer Code (1111 or 2222 by default, respectively) > Installation > Devices > Security Sensors > Auto Learn Sensor. On the Water Tile, you have two options: You can install the batteries (if you choose this option you'll want to perform this step before you place the device in the protected area) and wait for the panel to recognize the device. Alternatively, with the batteries already installed you can press and hold the center multi-function button for three (3) seconds until the Water Tile's yellow LED turns ON. Release the button, the LED will turn OFF. Within a few seconds the panel will recognize the device and ask you whether you want to enroll it with the system. The device's ID should have a format that looks like 242-XXXX. Press OK to enroll and set programming parameters.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Set programming parameters. The panel will know, based on the ID prefix of 242, that this is a flood/freeze sensor. It will choose default programming parameters based on the sensor type:
   
   The default programming is shown in the pictures below. The two Sensor Group options available are shown in the second image.
   
   
   

The Programming Options Available for the Flood Zone

Zone Programming Option	Default	Alternative Options
Sensor DL ID	Auto Learned - 242-XXXX Format	N/A
Sensor Type	Water	N/A
Sensor Group	38 - Water Sensor	25 - Water Non-Reporting
External Tamper	Disable (The Water Tile cover tamper is always active)	Wall and Probe, supervises the connection to the probe/cable and bracket when enabled.
Activation LED	Enable - The LED will blink RED during an activation.	Disable
Buzzer	On - The Water Tile will emit beeps during an activation.	Off
Sensor Name	Water	Flood, Basement Flood, Garage Flood, Custom Description.
Chime Type	F1 - New	All the usual chime sound options.
Voice Prompts	On	Off
Source	PowerG - Automatically filled during enrollment.	N/A

7. Program freeze zone. Unless you're using the PGP9986 in fallback mode, the Freeze Sensor zone will automatically be programmed when the flood zone is added. To review this programming tap the gray bar at the top of the panel's home screen then tap Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter Installer or Dealer Code > Installation > Devices > Security Sensors > Edit Sensor. The freeze zone will be the next available zone after the flood zone. After editing, be sure to tap SAVE. If you don't want to use the freeze sensor capability of the Water Tile, you can choose Delete/Replace Sensor (instead of Edit Sensor) and delete the freeze zone.
   
   
   
   

The Programming options Available for the Freeze Zone

Zone Programming Option	Default	Alternative Options
Sensor DL ID	Auto Learned - 242-XXXX Format	N/A
Sensor Type	Freeze	N/A
Sensor Group	52 - Freeze	25 - Freeze Non-Reporting
Threshold Low	41°F	N/A
Sensor Name	Same as for Flood Zone with Freeze appended to it.	N/A
Chime Type	High Wire	All the usual chime sound options.
Voice Prompts	On	Off
Source	PowerG - Automatically filled during enrollment.	N/A