How Do I Run a Panel Glass Break Test on the IQ5 NS System?

The IQ5 NS does not include a Panel Glass Break Test. The test checks the IQ Panel 5's built-in glass break detector, and the IQ5 NS has no built-in glass break detection at all. A PowerG glass break sensor adds this protection to the IQ5 NS. The test is available only on the IQ Panel 5.

Does the IQ5 NS Have This Test

The IQ5 NS (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) does not include a Panel Glass Break Test. On the IQ Panel 5, the test checks a built-in glass break detector that uses the panel's microphones. The IQ5 NS has no built-in glass break detection, so there is no detector for a test to check.

This does not leave the system without glass break protection. It means the on-panel detector and its test are not part of this model.

How to Add Glass Break Protection

To detect breaking glass with the system, enroll a PowerG glass break sensor. The panel supports a Glass Break sensor group, and the sensor is mounted near the glass it protects. This is how glass break detection works on the system, and it covers specific windows or doors instead of the whole room. It is part of your security system.

How to Test a Glass Break Sensor

After you enroll a glass break sensor, test it with the Sensor Test in the IQ Installer app. Go to Config, then System Tests, then Sensor Test, and trigger the sensor with a glass break simulator made for that sensor. The Sensor Test shows whether the system receives the signal.

If You Want the Built-In Detector

If built-in glass break detection matters to you, the IQ Panel 5 includes it, along with the Panel Glass Break Test. Both panels share the same core security features, so the choice comes down to whether you want the built-in microphones and the extras that come with them.

Which Sensor Group to Choose

When you enroll a glass break sensor in the IQ Installer app, you assign it a sensor group. The sensor group list in the IQ5 NS manual includes Group 13, Glass Break, which is active in both Stay and Away modes. Group 13 is the usual choice when you want the sensor to protect the glass whether you are home or away, since it stays active in both arming modes.

Everything Is Set Up Through the App

The IQ5 NS has no display, so sensors are enrolled and tested through the IQ Installer app. That includes choosing the sensor group, naming the sensor, and running the Sensor Test. Name each glass break sensor after the window or door it protects, such as Living Room Sliding Door, so the name tells you where the alert came from.

Why the Test Matters Less Without a Built-In Detector

On the IQ Panel 5, the Panel Glass Break Test confirms that a built-in detector is working. On the IQ5 NS, the equivalent check is testing each glass break sensor you add. Test each sensor after mounting it and again whenever you replace its battery, since a sensor that is not communicating will not protect the glass it covers.

After You Enroll the Sensor

Once the sensor is enrolled, confirm the IQ5 NS shows it with the name you gave it and a normal reading in the app. Then run the Sensor Test and trigger the sensor with a simulator. Keep a record of the date you tested each sensor, so you know when it is time to test again. Repeating the check every so often is a simple habit that catches a weak battery before it leaves a window unprotected. If a sensor does not respond, move it closer to the panel and test it again before you mount it permanently.

Planning Glass Break Coverage

A glass break sensor protects the glass within its detection range, so plan one sensor for each area with glass you want covered. Large rooms with several windows, sliding glass doors, and garage side windows are common places to start. Mount the sensor in line of sight of the glass and test it after mounting.

The IQ5 NS does not have a Panel Glass Break Test, but a PowerG glass break sensor adds glass break detection to the system on the IQ5 NS. For help with glass break sensors or other System Tests 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.