Home Security Blog

Just last week, millions of US Comcast customers experienced issues with their landline telephone service. The outage occurred during the morning of Wednesday, June 6th. During this time, these users were unable to place or receive phone calls using their standard telephone service.

According to outage maps, the problem occurred throughout the country. The cities of San Francisco, Chicago, Portland, Mountain View, Denver, Seattle, Atlanta, Houston, New York, and Philadelphia were notably affected. Perhaps more troubling is that several emergency services were down, including certain police and fire departments in New Hampshire.

This is an important reminder to all regarding the risks of using POTS (plain old telephone service) with an alarm system. Not only is POTS connectivity slow, it also quite unreliable. Many signals sent out from an alarm system through a telephone line fail to go through properly. This can be incredibly dangerous during an emergency. Additionally, an intruder can potentially cut a phone line to prevent the system from working properly.

That is why we encourage all our users to sign up for cellular monitoring. Most security experts agree that cellular service is the optimal communication path for an alarm system. Cellular communication is extremely reliable, with the service almost never being down or unavailable. It is unaffected by power outages, and it is next to impossible for an intruder to tamper with the connection. Additionally, the LTE cellular speeds of today are right on par with those of WIFI connectivity.

Cellular monitoring will allow allow you to connect your system with an interactive service platform, like Total Connect and Alarm.com. These services can be accessed at any time to operate an alarm system. By accessing their service, a user can arm and disarm their system, check the current status of sensors, control Z-Wave devices, view their security cameras and more. And with the service's mobile app, these actions can be performed from virtually anywhere with your smartphone.

To get cellular monitoring, you will need a panel with a cellular communicator and an alarm monitoring plan that includes cellular service. For Alarm Grid, these are our Gold and Platinum level plans. For more information, please check out our monitoring page. If you want to get started with monitoring, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at 818-888-7728 from 9am to 8pm M-F.

Hi DIYers! We would like to announce that Alarm Grid has created a special Alarm.com test account for new customers. Anyone can access this account to test out the exciting features and capabilities of Alarm.com. This can help you decide if the Alarm.com service platform is right for you.

This account can be accessed even if you do not have your own Alarm.com account. By accessing this test account, you can see what Alarm.com is like before you actually obtain the service for yourself. Existing Alarm.com customers may want to access this test account so that they can try out different settings without messing with their own configurations. This test account is also useful for users who are new to Alarm.com and want to learn how to properly use the service.

To access this test account, go to https://www.alarm.com/login. Then provide the following information:

Username: AGCust@alarmgrid.com

Password: AlarmGrid123

Please note that the password is cAsE sEnSiTiVe, and A and G in AlarmGrid123 must be capitalized.

If you have any questions about this account, or if you are having trouble accessing it, please send us an email at support@alarmgrid.com.

It's the rainy season once again, and one thing you will certainly want to do is monitor your house for floods. This is done using flood sensors. These sensors will send an alert to the alarm system upon detecting water. This can help you detect a flood before serious damage occurs.

Flood sensors typically operate using a water probe. On these probes, there are pins that will cause the sensor to activate when they come into contact with water. Depending on the type of sensor, the pins may need to be exposed to water for a couple of minutes before the sensor will activate and an alarm will occur. This can be helpful for reducing false alarms and only alerting the system when there is a real flooding concern. Some probes come already attached to sensors. Others, like the Honeywell 470PB, will need to be wired to a separate sensor.

For best results, a flood sensor should be installed in a location where a flood is mostly like to occur. This can include basements, kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. It is also a good idea to place these sensors underneath water heaters and sump pumps that could leak and cause serious damage. The earlier that the sensor is activated, the quicker that you can be alerted to the issue and properly solve the problem.

Flood sensors are excellent devices to pair with an interactive service such as Total Connect or Alarm.com. If the flood sensor activates while you are away from home, you will want to know about it as soon as possible. These services can send you text and email notifications as soon as a flood sensor activates. This way, you or a trusted neighbor can properly deal with the issue as soon as it happens. You may be able to stop the flooding before there is serious property damage.

When choosing a flood sensor, you must make sure it is compatible with your alarm system. This is especially true if you are using a wireless flood sensor. You will want to know which wireless frequency is used with your system and which type of wireless sensors are compatible.

Alarm Grid recommends the following wireless flood sensors for these different systems:

• Honeywell Systems: Honeywell 5800FLOOD
• 2GIG Systems: 2GIG FT1-345
• Qolsys and Interlogix Systems: Qolsys IQ Flood

One of Alarm Grid's best partners Qolsys has announced that their upcoming IQ Panels with PowerG support have officially received UL certification. It appears as though the company is currently on track to have these new systems ready for a public release later this summer season.

PowerG is a wireless sensor lineup from DSC. These are state-of-the-art security sensors that boast some highly impressive capabilities and features. They operate at a considerably higher frequency (915 MHz) than most other wireless sensors, meaning that they will not interfere with other devices. The range of these sensors is absolutely insane, as they can operate from nearly half a mile away from the panel when used indoors. The sensor also use 128-bit AES encryption to prevent them from being hacked or spoofed. Needless to say, we are very excited that Qolsys Systems will soon be able to support these sensors.

Qolsys previously announced at ISC West 2018 that a PowerG daughtercard would be made available for their IQ Panel 2. By installing this daughtercard, the system will be able to support PowerG sensors. Qolsys will also likely produce IQ Panel 2 Systems with the daughtercard already integrated, and also possibly other PowerG-compatible systems as well. So far the PowerG lineup includes outdoor PIR motion detectors with integrated cameras, outdoor siren/strobe devices and a door contact with a wired input for long-range expansion.

ISC West 2018 was also when Qolsys announced that they would soon be offering legacy daughtercards for the IQ Panel 2. These daughtercards are available in 319.5 MHz (Qolsys and Interlogix/GE Sensors), 345 MHz (legacy Honeywell and 2GIG Sensors) and 433 MHz (legacy DSC Sensors). Please note that the system will only support one PowerG daughtercard and one legacy daughtercard at any given time.

Alarm Grid will make sure to keep you up to date with any of the latest news regarding Qolsys and PowerG support. Keep an eye on our blog for more information.

Not every opening is conveniently located inside the house. A user may also want to monitor openings that are located outside the house. This could include fences, detached garage doors, barns and patio doors. When doing this, the sensor must be able to survive the outdoor environment.

Durability is a much greater concern with outdoor contacts. While most contacts are kept safe inside the home, an outdoor contact is exposed to a much harsher environment. The sensor will need to work in more extreme temperatures, and it will come into contact with water and dust on a regular basis. Needless to say, if a user tries to use a standard contact, it will not last very long.

Luckily, there are special outdoor contacts that are specifically designed to survive in an outdoor setting. These contacts typically function in the same manner as an indoor contact, using a sensor and magnet. The sensor is installed on the stationary portion of the opening, while the magnet is installed on the moving part. The magnet must be placed very close to the sensor in order for this process to work properly.

When the outside door or fence is opened, the magnet will separate from the sensor. This will cause a reed switch inside the sensor to activate. The sensor will then send a signal to the alarm system to let it know that it has been activated. When this happens, the system can then perform a pre-programmed response. This could include requiring a system disarm or sending out an alarm to a central station.

One excellent outdoor sensor for this purpose is the Honeywell 5816OD. This is a 345 MHz wireless sensor that will work with any Honeywell or 2GIG Alarm System. It is fully weatherproof, and it can survive temperatures ranging from -40° to 150° Fahrenheit. The sensor will continue to function properly, even in a very dusty or humid environment. For best results, the sensor should be placed within 1.5" of the included magnet when the opening is closed.

You can purchase this sensor from the Alarm Grid website. If you have any questions about using this sensor, you may contact us via support@alarmgrid.com or by calling us at 888-818-7728 between 9am and 8pm M-F.

Hi DIYers! Our technical support team has been producing new videos to help others learn how to use their security systems. We've already received great feedback on our videos, and we look forward to making more. Let's take a look at some of the videos that we've released in the past week.

Using Wired Contacts on a 2GIG GC3

Joe explains how to use hardwired contacts with the 2GIG GC3 System. There are a few different ways of doing this. The GC3 actually has built-in support for two different hardwired sensors. If a user needs to use additional wired contacts, they can do so using a compatible wired to wireless converter, such as a Honeywell 5800C2W or a 2GIG TAKE-345. It is also possible to connect the wired contact to a wireless transmitter that will send signals to the panel on the sensor's behalf.

Getting Monitoring for a Self-Installed 2GIG GC3

Joe talks about how it is possible to receive monitoring service for a 2GIG System that has been self-installed. These systems can connect with the Alarm.com interactive service platform by receiving cellular monitoring. This requires a compatible cellular communicator and a cellular alarm monitoring plan. The cellular module includes a serial number that is needed for activating the system. The system will need to be activated by the user's alarm monitoring company in order for the system to receive active monitoring service.

Using the Lyric Alarm System as a Secondary Z-Wave Controller

Joe discusses how the Honeywell Lyric Controller can be used to operate Z-Wave home automation devices. By using the Lyric as a secondary controller in conjunction with a primary Z-Wave controller, the Z-Wave network will be able to perform more advanced functions. When doing this, Z-Wave devices should be learned-in with the primary Z-Wave controller. The Lyric Controller will need to be enrolled with the primary Z-Wave controller in order for this to be possible. The Lyric will then automatically recognize any Z-Wave devices that were programmed with the primary controller.

2GIG GC3: Changing the Installer Code

Jorge talks about changing the Installer Code on a 2GIG GC3 System. This code is set to 1561 by default. We usually recommend keeping the Installer Code at its default so that the user does not become locked out of programming later. However, the code can be changed if desired. This is done by accessing Panel Programming within the Installer Toolbox. The user will need to know the current Installer Code in order to successfully change the code.

The Lyric Alarm System and VISTA Compatibility

Jorge discusses the compatibility between the Honeywell Lyric Controller and the Honeywell VISTA Systems. These are both independent alarm systems, and they do not interact with one another. However, as they are both Honeywell Systems, they use similar sensors, and the same interactive service. Both the Lyric and VISTA Systems can use Honeywell 5800 Series Wireless Sensors, though a VISTA Panel will need an added wireless receiver. They can also both access the Total Connect service. However, a VISTA System will need an added communicator.

WIFI Communication and the 2GIG GC3

Jorge talks about getting a 2GIG GC3 System connected to a WIFI network. The system will need to be running firmware version 3.1 or higher to connect to WIFI. The Network Settings menu can be accessed by providing the system's Installer Code. The password for the network will need to be provided in order to successfully connect. We recommend auto-assigning any IP configurations, though these settings can also be manually configured if needed. The system can only be connected with one WIFI network at a time.

How Do I Program a Honeywell 5877 to My Lyric Controller

Joe talks about how to use a Honeywell 5877 Relay with a Honeywell Lyric Controller. This module allows a garage door to be opened or closed using the Lyric Controller or a synced Total Connect account. The 5877 can be spliced in with a garage door button, or it can be connected to the garage door motor itself. The garage door can then be controlled through the automation section of the Lyric. If a user wants their garage door to operate as a security zone, they will need to add a Honeywell 5822T Tilt Sensor.

Demonstration of the Lyric and Total Connect

Jorge gives a brief overview of the Total Connect service and how it is used with the Honeywell Lyric Controller. Once the Lyric is synced with Total Connect, a user can access the service to control their system. The service allows users to arm and disarm their system, control Z-Wave home automation devices, check the status of sensors, view security cameras and more. After the Lyric has been synced, any rules and scenes for Z-Wave devices that are used the Lyric Controller will need to be added and edited through the Total Connect service.

As the sunset for 3G cellular networks is quickly approaching, Alarm Grid has some important news regarding support for Verizon's 3G CDMA network. This news affects both the Alarm.com service and Honeywell's AlarmNet server.

As of today, June 1st, 2018, Verizon will no longer activate Alarm.com CDMA cellular communicator SIM cards as they prepare for their CDMA network sunset. If the Verizon SIM card is already activated, which is done during manufacturing, Alarm.com will still allow the account activation to go through.

However, if a communicator is manufactured and never activated with Alarm.com, or if it's activated with Alarm.com but then cancelled, the Verizon SIM will eventually become deactivated. Therefore, it's possible that a CDMA module you already have won't be able to be used if it's not currently active with Alarm.com.

If you have an existing Alarm.com CDMA communicator with a different monitoring company, it can still be "recycled" and brought over to a new alarm company, as long as the communicator is re-activated with the new monitoring company soon after it's cancelled by the existing monitoring company.

Any existing Alarm.com CDMA communicator that is already active with Alarm.com will continue to work for the time being, but will be sunsetting soon.

If you need to purchase a new cellular communicator for an Alarm.com panel, we recommend one of the following Verizon LTE options:

For 2GIG GC3:

• 2GIG LTEV-A-GC3 (requires GC3 Firmware 3.0.2 or higher) (discontinued)
• 2GIG LTEV1-A-GC3 (requires GC3 Firmware 3.1.3 or higher)

For more information on GC3 Firmware Updates, please click here. Also see this guide to upgrade the GC3 communicator.

For 2GIG GC2:

• 2GIG LTEV-A-GC2 (requires GC2 Firmware 1.17 or higher) (discontinued)
• 2GIG LTEV1-A-GC2 (requires GC2 Firmware 1.19 or higher)

For more information on GC2 Firmware Updates, please click here. Also see this guide to upgrade the GC2 communicator. You can also review the FAQs 2GIG GC2 Firmware Update Instructions Using UPCBL2 and How to Upgrade GC2 Firmware Using a Cable for more information.

Starting June 30th, 2018, Honeywell AlarmNet CDMA cellular communicators that were manufactured before March 1st, 2018 can no longer be activated. If you have an AlarmNet CDMA communicator that was manufactured before this date, you must activate it by June 30th.

At that time, it will also be impossible to bring a Honeywell CDMA radio from one monitoring company to another. AlarmNet CDMA communicators that were manufactured after March 1st, 2018 can be activated until December 22nd, 2018. Any AlarmNet CDMA communicator that has already been activated will continue to work until the CDMA network is shutdown.

If you need to purchase a new cellular communicator for a Honeywell Alarm System, we suggest buying an LTE module. Alarm Grid recommends the following options based on system type:

Honeywell Lyric Controller: LYRICLTE-V supports Verizon LTE

Honeywell L5210 and L7000 (Firmware 9+): LTE-L57V supports Verizon LTE

Honeywell VISTA Systems: LTE-XV supports Verizon LTE or LTE-IV supports Verizon LTE & IP

Additionally, if you have a CDMA communicator that has not been activated, you will no longer be able to return it to Alarm Grid for a refund. We will not be taking any CDMA returns as of today. Our company stopped selling CDMA communicators roughly three months ago, and we have been preparing for the 3G sunset for quite some time.

Cellular service providers have already discontinued support for their 2G networks, and they are currently preparing to do the same for their 3G networks. This includes the Verizon 3G CDMA network. Instead, cellular service providers are shifting their focus to their newer and more advanced 4G and LTE networks. If you need to upgrade an alarm system to cellular, you should purchase an LTE module if possible.

Remember, existing CDMA communicators that have already been activated can still be used for the time being. These modules will continue to work until the CDMA network is discontinued. At that point, any CDMA cellular module will need to be replaced and upgraded to a newer communicator.

If you have any questions about this news, please send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. You may also call us at 888-818-7728 from 9am to 8pm EST M-F.

Edit (6/8/18): This blog post previously stated that as of June 1st, no Alarm.com CDMA module that wasn't currently active with Alarm.com service could be activated on a new Alarm.com account, which has changed since it was written. It has been edited to reflect the correct information.

The Alarm Grid office will be closed on Monday, May 28th in observance of Memorial Day. Our support technicians will be unavailable during this time. We will resume our normal business hours on Tuesday, May 29th.

If you require any assistance over the Memorial Day weekend, please email support@alarmgrid.com. Our team will make sure to send you a response as soon as we receive your email on Tuesday. Once we reopen, you may continue to contact us through our support email. You may also call us at 888-818-7728 during normal business hours, which are 9am-8pm EST M-F.

Alarm Grid would like to thank those who have served and defended our country. We hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend, and we look forward to providing you with support in the future.

Alarm Grid has received important information from Honeywell, stating that any Lyric Controller using a WIFI-only communication setup is currently unable to work with an existing Apple HomeKit integration. Additionally, Honeywell has temporarily disabled the ability to activate new HomeKit service for all Lyric Controller Systems.

According to Honeywell, the Lyric Controller Security Systems are experiencing problems with WIFI connectivity when they are used with the HomeKit service. Honeywell is currently taking action to address this problem. The company says these issues should be fully resolved sometime in the third week of June.

Starting on Wednesday, May 23rd, Honeywell will disable all HomeKit features for any Lyric Controller that uses WIFI as its only communication path. This update will come in the form of a panel reboot while the system is in a disarmed state. The update may require up to three minutes to fully complete.

After the reboot, the panel should function as normal, though the HomeKit service will be disabled. Please note that this update is only being applied to Lyric Controller Systems that use a strictly WIFI connection. Lyric Controller Systems that use a dual-path setup with both WIFI and cellular, as well as those that use strictly cellular, are unaffected. Furthermore, Honeywell Lyric Gateway Systems are also unaffected.

Additionally, Honeywell has temporarily disabled the Apple HomeKit feature in AlarmNet 360. This makes it currently impossible to activate HomeKit service for any Lyric Controller System. New HomeKit activations will be possible once Honeywell restores the HomeKit feature sometime in the third week of June. Honeywell says that they plan to release more information regarding the restoration in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions regarding these issues, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at 888-818-7728 between 9am and 8pm EST M-F. We apologize for any issues that this may cause.

Note: This issue has since been fixed.

Qolsys is releasing an automatic firmware update for any IQ Panel 2 that is running firmware version 2.0.6 or lower. This is firmware update 2.1.1, and it is designed to improve the overall stability of the system. The update will be applied on Monday, June 4th, and it will take about 12 minutes to complete.

The panel will then reboot once the update has finished. The update will only be applied when the system is in a disarmed state. Users should not notice any difference to their IQ Panel 2 System after the update has gone through.

If you have any questions about this automatic update, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at 888-818-7728 between 9am and 8pm EST M-F.