How Do I Wire the IQ Panel 5 With a Custom Length Wire?

To wire the IQ Panel 5 with a custom length wire, use 18 AWG wire no longer than 98.5 ft (30 m) and a 12 V DC supply. Connect the positive wire to 12vDC IN and the negative wire to GND on the backplate terminals, then latch the panel on. The terminals connect on their own and power the panel.

When You Need a Custom Length Wire

The IQ Panel 5 (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) normally powers up through the supplied barrel connector cable and the barrel jack on the back of the panel. When the plug in adapter is too far from the panel, the manual lets you use a custom length wire instead. A custom wire connects to the (+) and (-) terminals on the SmartMount backplate, so the power run can be as long as the installation needs, within the limits below.

Wire and Power Supply Requirements

Use 18 AWG (0.75 mm2) wire no longer than 98.5 ft (30 m) to make sure the panel gets enough power. The minimum permissible wire size is 22 AWG (0.33 mm2), and nothing smaller is allowed. The 12 V DC power supply output must not exceed 15 VA (15 W) under any conditions.

Use a 12 V DC power supply only. The warning on the wiring diagram is clear about this. The supplied adapter takes 100 to 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz and outputs 12.0 V DC at 1.0 A. For EN Grade 2 installations, use only model SW61-120100-03. Using the wrong supply puts your security system at risk.

How to Wire the IQ Panel 5 With a Custom Length Wire

1. Choose the wire. Use 18 AWG (0.75 mm2) wire that is no longer than 98.5 ft (30 m), so the panel receives enough power. Never use wire smaller than 22 AWG (0.33 mm2).

2. Use only a 12 V DC power supply. The output of the power supply must not exceed 15 VA (15 W) under any conditions. The supplied adapter is 12.0 V DC, 1.0 A, model SW-120100A.

3. Remove the SmartMount backplate. With a small Phillips screwdriver, undo the locking screw on the back of the panel and take the backplate off.

4. Mount the backplate to the wall. Use #6 flat head screws, at least 1 in (25.4 mm) long, and wall anchors if needed. Make sure the backplate is level, and put a screw in the break away wall tamper, which UL 2610 requires.

5. Connect the wires to the terminals on the backplate. Connect the positive wire from the power supply to 12vDC IN, which is marked with a plus sign, and the negative wire to GND.

IQ Panel 5 wiring diagram

6. Latch the panel onto the backplate. Latch the top of the panel onto the backplate, swing it down, and press it firmly against the wall. The power terminals connect automatically and power the panel.

7. Replace the locking screw. Screw in the locking screw from the bottom of the panel with a small Phillips screwdriver.

Check the Voltage After You Power the Panel

After the panel is powered, run the Input Voltage Test from the System Tests menu. If the test shows a voltage problem, the manual says to use thicker gauge wire or shorten the wire run. It also says the wire run length and gauge should not exceed the UL specification.

Barrel Jack Option

If you do not need a custom length wire, connect the supplied power supply to the barrel jack on the back of the panel. The barrel jack is for use with the supplied barrel connector cable only, and the striped wire on that cable is positive (+).

Safety Reminders

Turn off or unplug the power supply while you make connections, and keep the positive and negative wires in the right terminals. The terminals are marked, and the red dashed line on the diagram shows the positive connection. Double check both before you turn the power back on.

Wiring your IQ Panel 5 with a custom length wire means 18 AWG wire, a 12 V DC supply, and the terminals on the backplate on the IQ Panel 5. For help with powering the panel or other installation questions or other configurations on your IQ Panel 5, 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.