How Do I Program a Wireless Zone to a DSC PowerSeries NEO?

You can program a wireless zone to a DSC PowerSeries NEO by using option [804] within panel programming. The system must have an added wireless transceiver to support wireless sensors from the DSC PowerG lineup. These are the only wireless sensors that can be used with the system.

The DSC PowerSeries NEO is a hardwired alarm control panel. There are different versions of the DSC PowerSeries NEO, and the version you have will determine the number of zones that the system can support. The DSC PowerSeries NEO cannot support wireless sensors right out of the box. A wireless transceiver module must be added to the system before it can support wireless sensors.

An important note regarding a DSC PowerSeries NEO Panel is that it will only support certain types of wireless transceivers. Specifically, these panels can only interface with PowerG Wireless Transceivers that will allow the panel to support PowerG Sensors. The PowerG Sensors are the only wireless sensors that will work with the NEO. No other wireless sensors can be used with the system.

There are two (2) main options for adding a PowerG Wireless Transceiver to a DSC PowerSeries NEO System. The most popular option is to get a keypad with a built-in PowerG Transceiver. Since you will need to add a keypad to the system anyway, this is typically the easiest method. A good keypad for adding wireless sensor support is the DSC HS2LCDRF9 N. If you already have a system keypad and you don't need another one, then the other option is to add a standalone PowerG Transceiver module. This device is called the DSC HSMHOST9.

For the purpose of this FAQ, we will assume that a PowerG Transceiver of some kind has already been set up with the system. We will also assume that a push-button keypad is being used to program the zone. Remember that once in programming, the [*] key takes you to the next option, while the [#] key takes you to the previous option.

Complete the following steps to program a wireless zone on a DSC PowerSeries NEO:

1. Access panel programming. The first thing to do when adjusting most system settings is to access programming. This is accomplished by entering the command [*] + [8] + [Installer Code]. The default Installer Code is 5555. If you see "Select (000) Program Labels", then you have successfully entered programming.

2. Access wireless programming. The next step is to enter wireless programming mode. This is done by entering the [804] command. You should then see "Select (000) Enroll Device" on the screen.

3. Enroll the sensor. We recommend auto-enrolling wireless sensors with the NEO because it prevents you from accidentally entering an incorrect Serial Number, and it ensures that the panel and the sensor are communicating properly. Start by pressing the [*] key to confirm that you want to auto-enroll a sensor.

You will then need to have the PowerG device send a signal transmission to the PowerSeries NEO Panel. Depending on the device, this may involve pressing and holding its enroll button, or it may involve inserting a battery to apply power. We recommend checking out this FAQ to determine the enrollment process for the PowerG Sensor you are using.

After activating the sensor's enrollment function, the Sensor ID for the device should appear on the keypad screen. Press the [*] key after you have confirmed that it is correct by checking the ID number on the sensor's sticker. This sticker is usually found inside the sensor on its board, and you may need a tool to access the sensor's inner board.

4. Select a zone. It is now time to choose which wireless zone you will use with the wireless sensor. All zone numbers on the DSC PowerSeries NEO are expressed in three (3) digits. Depending on the version of the NEO you are using, the wireless zones may begin at Zone 007 or at Zone 009. This is because the lowest numbered zones on the system are for the on-board hardwired zones. Wireless zones begin after the last wired zone (either 006 or 008). Refer to the instruction manual for the panel you are using to determine which zones are used for wireless sensors.

When you auto-enroll a wireless sensor to the NEO, the system will automatically select the next available wireless zone. But if you want to enter in a different zone, then you can enter its three digit code. For example, if you wanted to enroll to Zone 015, you would enter [015]. Once the desired zone number is displayed on the screen, press the [*] key to continue.

5. Set the Zone Definition. On a DSC PowerSeries NEO, the Zone Definition for a zone determines how the system will respond when the sensor is faulted. This may also be referred to as the Zone Type or the Response type. Every possible Zone Definition for a NEO System Zone has its own three digit code. Please refer to pages 27 thru 29 of this manual for a complete list of Zone Definitions. Press the [*] key once the appropriate Zone Definition is displayed.

6. Set the partition(s). You will now choose which partitions will respond to the sensor. You can assign the zone to multiple partitions if needed. Keep in mind that the number of partitions will vary depending on the type of NEO Panel you are using. A DSC PowerSeries NEO will support between two (2) and eight (8) partitions. Refer to the manual for your system to determine how many partitions it has.

Use the arrow keys (< & >) to scroll between partitions. Pressing the [*] key will allow you to toggle between Y for YES and N for NO. Once all the partitions are set correctly to either Y or N based on the desired zone settings, press the [#] key to continue. Note that while the [#] key is usually used to go backwards in programming, it is used to proceed forward after setting the partitions.

7. Set the Zone Label. The Zone Label represents the name, or identifier, for the zone. This setting is pretty intricate, so make sure to follow the steps carefully. Also note that the Zone Label can be up to 28 characters, which comes from a maximum of two (2) lines, top and bottom, with each line being up to 14 characters.

The first thing do is press the [*] button. Use the arrow keys (< & >) to find the "Word Entry" option. Press the [*] key after locating the option. You will then begin building the Zone Label.

It is possible to choose from a list of pre-configured words, and there are also some single letters and symbols available. Each possible selection is assigned its own three digit code. A total of 193 commonly used pre-configured words are available. These words are alphabetized to make navigation easier. After the first 193 entries, codes 194 thru 238 are just miscellaneous letters and symbols.

After code 238, then sequence reverts back to code 001, which is the pre-configured word "Aborted". You can use the arrow keys (< & >) to manually scroll between words, or you can enter a three digit code to jump to a totally different section of the sequence.

By entering a code between 001 and 193, you will end up at a word. Try to get close to the word you want, and then use the arrow keys to manually scroll once you are close. When you have the desired word displayed, press the [*] key to confirm the selection. This will add it to the Zone Label.

You will keep adding words until the Zone Label is set up the way that you want. Keep in mind that the word will be added above where the underscore cursor _ was located when you pressed the [*] key to select the "Word Entry" option. If you need to make a space, just use the arrow keys to skip to the next character. If you make a mistake when entering a word or symbol, move the cursor over the character you want to delete, and press the [0] key.

Only words included in the list of 193 complete words will appear when using pre-configured words. In order to use a different word, it must be manually entered. In that case, just find the letters you want to use. Remember that individual symbols and letters occur after code 193. They go from code 194 to code 238.

Once the proper Zone Label is displayed, press the [#] key to finish. Although the [#] usually take the user to the previous programming option, for the Zone Label option, it is used to complete the process and finish programming the zone.

8. Exit Programming. Once you have completed programming, continue pressing the [#] key until you exit programming completely, and return to the security status screen.