What Does the PowerG Option Show on the IQ5 NS About Page?

The PowerG item on the About page of the IQ5 NS shows six readings: Modem Firmware Version, Modem Build Number, Radio Firmware Version, Radio Software ID, PowerG RF Band, and PowerG Card Type. The RF Band matters most when buying new PowerG sensors. It takes only a moment and changes nothing.

What the PowerG Popup Shows

The IQ5 NS (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) lists six readings when you touch PowerG on the About page: Modem Firmware Version, Modem Build Number, Radio Firmware Version, Radio Software ID, PowerG RF Band, and PowerG Card Type. Together they describe the PowerG radio hardware inside the system, the radio that communicates with your wireless sensors.

These readings are mainly for installers and support technicians, but one of them, the PowerG RF Band, is useful to anyone adding new sensors to a security system.

How to Open the PowerG Readings

1. Open the IQ Installer app. This is the mobile app used to configure the IQ5 NS, since the panel has no display of its own.

2. Connect to the panel. The app communicates with the IQ5 NS over Bluetooth or WIFI to load its configuration menus.

3. Enter your code when prompted. The Installer Code, default 1111, the Master Code, default 1234, or the Dealer Code, default 2222, all provide access to the About page.

4. Touch the Config tab. This is where system configuration and information menus live in the app.

5. Touch About. This opens the system information page showing Battery, Software, Hardware, Patches, Cellular, PowerG, Wi-Fi, and Z-Wave details.

IQ5 NS About option in the Configuration menu

6. Find PowerG in the About page list. PowerG appears below the Cellular details and above the Wi-Fi details.

7. Review the PowerG readings. The readings include the Modem Firmware Version, Modem Build Number, Radio Firmware Version, Radio Software ID, PowerG RF Band, and PowerG Card Type.

The Modem Readings

Modem Firmware Version and Modem Build Number describe the software on the PowerG modem. The firmware version identifies the release the modem is running, and the build number identifies the specific build of that release. A technician uses the pair to confirm exactly which modem software your system has installed.

The Radio Readings

Radio Firmware Version and Radio Software ID describe the software on the PowerG radio. As with the modem, the firmware version identifies the release, and the Radio Software ID identifies the software loaded on the radio. Support can compare these readings against known compatibility information when a sensor behaves unexpectedly after an update.

The IQ5 NS also lists a PowerG Card Type reading in this section, which identifies the type of PowerG card installed in the system. The IQ Panel 5 and IQ5 Hub do not show this reading.

The PowerG RF Band

PowerG RF Band shows the radio frequency band the system's PowerG radio operates on. PowerG sensors are built for a specific band, and a sensor only communicates with a panel that uses the same band. This is the reading to check before you buy new PowerG sensors, so you can confirm the sensors you are ordering match your system. If you are unsure, compare this reading with the band listed on the sensor's packaging or product page.

Which Readings Matter Most to You

For most homeowners, the PowerG RF Band is the practical reading, because it decides which sensors are compatible. The modem and radio readings are for technicians. If a support representative asks you to read them aloud during a call, the PowerG button on the About page is where to find them.

These readings are also separate from the PowerG signal strength tests in the System Tests menu. The PowerG popup tells you what is installed, while the tests tell you how well your enrolled sensors are communicating.

When You Would Check These Readings

Most people only open the PowerG popup for a specific reason. Before ordering new PowerG sensors, check the PowerG RF Band so you buy devices built for the same band as your system. When a support technician is diagnosing a sensor that will not enroll or reports inconsistently, they often ask for the radio and modem readings to compare against known compatibility notes. After a software update, a quick look confirms the radio information is still reporting normally. Outside of those situations, there is no need to check these readings regularly.

If the PowerG Popup Is Empty

If the PowerG popup shows no readings, run the PowerG test from the System Tests menu in the IQ Installer app to confirm the system can communicate with its PowerG radio. If the readings still do not appear after the test, contact Alarm Grid support so we can help determine whether the issue is with the PowerG radio itself.

Knowing what PowerG information is on the About page of your IQ5 NS helps you follow a support call and choose compatible PowerG sensors on the IQ5 NS. For help with PowerG settings or other system information 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.