What Is a Daughter Card on the IQ5 Hub Security System?

A daughter card on the IQ5 Hub is an optional expansion module that adds support for legacy wireless sensor frequencies. The panel supports PowerG natively, but daughter cards let you use existing 319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, or 433 MHz sensors from Honeywell, 2GIG, or DSC alongside PowerG.

Why Daughter Cards Exist

The IQ5 Hub (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) ships with PowerG wireless technology built in, supporting up to 128 security system sensors natively. Daughter cards add a second radio inside the panel to support legacy 319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, or 433 MHz sensors from brands like Honeywell, 2GIG, DSC, and Interlogix. This makes the IQ5 Hub ideal for takeover installations where existing sensors can be kept rather than replaced. The IQ5 Hub supports one daughter card at a time alongside the built-in PowerG radio.

Available Daughter Cards

Three daughter cards are available for the IQ5 Hub. The IQ QC0004-840 adds support for Qolsys/Interlogix 319.5 MHz sensors. The IQ QC0005-840 adds support for Honeywell and 2GIG 345 MHz sensors, one of the most common legacy frequencies in North America. The IQ QC0008-840 adds support for Legacy DSC 433 MHz sensors. Each card plugs into an expansion slot inside the panel and is recognized automatically on reboot.

IQ5 Hub Daughter Cards Test showing installed expansion card slots

What Daughter Cards Do Not Do

Daughter cards only add the ability to receive legacy sensor signals — they do not add two-way communication or encryption for those sensors. PowerG encryption and supervision only apply to PowerG sensors. For full security benefits, upgrading to PowerG sensors is the better long-term approach. After installing a daughter card, run the Daughter Cards Test from Advanced Settings, then System Tests to confirm the card is working. Add a monitoring plan to ensure all sensors report to a central station. Daughter cards are also supported by the Daughter Cards Test — accessible from Advanced Settings, then System Tests. Run this test after installation to confirm each card is communicating correctly. A Fail result means the card may not be fully seated in its slot — power down the panel, reseat the card, and retest.

Daughter cards on the IQ5 Hub expand wireless sensor compatibility to include legacy frequencies without replacing existing sensors on the IQ5 Hub. For help with daughter cards or sensor compatibility or other configurations on your IQ5 Hub, 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.