Hi DIYers! This is Part 2 of our Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Install Guide. Today, we will be focusing on a variety of topics, mostly arming the system, bypassing sensors, adjusting arming settings, Bluetooth disarming, adjusting user codes, the system messaging center, and panic buttons.
If you want to start from the beginning, you can find Part 1 of this series right here.
This install guide of ours is designed to follow the manual for the system. If you want to follow along with the manual for the system, then it is available here. Just keep in mind that the order in which we present information may be different from the manual. The processes shown here fully apply whether you are using an original Qolsys IQ Panel 2, or a newer Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System. Today, we will have two (2) videos to accompany this content. With that out of the way, let's begin!
Our Part 4 video focuses primarily on Arming/Disarming the Qolsys IQ Panel 2. When you arm your system, you are putting it into a secure state. Many Sensor Groups for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 are only active when the system is in an armed state. We recommend reviewing the Sensor Groups so that you know how different sensors will respond when the system is activated.
To keep things simple, you will generally use Arm Away when all occupants plan to be away from the premises. When the system is in this state, there should be nobody inside the building, and nobody should be around to activate Interior Sensors. If someone will still be inside the building, but you want to put the perimeter protection points into a secure state, then you can put the system into Arm Stay mode. This way, the system will not go into alarm if Interior Sensors are activated. However, the system will still respond to Perimeter Zones and Entry/Exit Zones.
You will also likely want to adjust the various arming settings for your Qolsys IQ Panel 2 System. There is an entire menu in system settings for this purpose. You may also want to adjust your Entry Delays and Exit Delays. In the simplest terms, Entry Delay is how long you have to disarm the system after activating an Entry/Exit Zone before an alarm will occur. Exit Delay is how long you have to vacate the premises when Arming Away before the arming setting will go into effect. Once the Arm Away setting has gone into effect, then activating an Entry/Exit Zone will trigger the Entry Delay countdown, and you will need to disarm within that time period. It is also important to understand that there are both Normal Entry/Exit Delays and Long Entry/Exit Delays. The Long Entry/Exit Delays are important to adjust if you are using any zones with Sensor Group 12 - Entry/Exit - Long Delay. Use this zone type for a door that you may sometimes use to enter or exit but that is further from the system, and so requires a longer delay period. If you do not have any zones like this, then the Long Entry/Exit Delays are irrelevant.
One convenient feature for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is automatic Bluetooth disarming. If enabled, this will have the system automatically disarm when you bring your phone within Bluetooth range of the system. The way that this works is that the system expects you to bring your phone with you when you arm the system and leave for the day. When you return later on, you will bring your phone back with you. The system will automatically receive the Bluetooth signal from your phone, and it will disarm without you needing to enter a code. Remember, this feature only works if you enable it. This will require you to program your phone with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 System as a Bluetooth device. You will also want to make sure you adjust the Bluetooth settings for the panel accordingly.
Our Part 5 video covers some miscellaneous tips for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 System. Specifically, we cover system codes, the messaging center, and system panic buttons. Setting up user codes is something you will likely do if someone new is now using the panel, and they need their own code. Likewise, you may want to delete a code if someone is no longer permitted to use your system. At the very least, you should change the system Master Code (also called Admin) away from its default of 1234. Keeping this code at 1234 is a major security risk!
The messaging center for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is a great way to see if any events occurred on your system while you were away. These events can include things like someone making an incorrect code entry, a system trouble that occurred, an alarm on the system, and so much more. You can conveniently access this section right from the main screen of your IQ Panel 2. If you see that your messaging center has a notification, then you should check it as soon as you can so that you can see what occurred on your system. Once you "acknowledge" the notifications, the messages will clear.
Lastly, there is a section of the main screen of the IQ Panel 2 where you can trigger emergency panics. These include Police Panics, Fire Alarms, and Auxiliary Medical Panics. Additionally, you can activate Police and Medical Panics as "silent" so that no audible siren occurs when the alarm is triggered. Keep in mind that these panics are really only useful if you have your IQ Panel 2 monitored with central station monitoring service. The central station will receive the incoming alert and know to take action immediately. If you only have self-monitoring service, then a notification for the alarm will still be sent to you via text and/or email notification. But if you already knowingly triggered one of the system panic buttons, then that isn't very useful. However, for users with central station service, these panic buttons can be a quick and easy way to get help during an emergency.
We hope that these videos help you get started with your new Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System! Remember, you can always email us at support@alarmgrid.com if you have any further questions or if you need further assistance. Our support hours are from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!
