Can I Use Door/Window Sensors on a Qolsys IQ Panel 2?

Yes, you can use door and window sensors on a Qolsys IQ Panel 2. The door and window contact must communicate at a wireless frequency that is compatible with the wireless receiver on the system's daughterboard in order for it to work. The standard daughterboard accepts 319.5 MHz sensors.

Please note that hardwired sensors can also be used with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 System. There are two normally closed hardwired zone inputs, which require the use of a 4.7K resistor (color code Yellow, Violet, Red) which is not supplied. In addition, a wired to wireless converter that communicates at a compatible wireless frequency can also be used. If the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is using the standard daughterboard, then this is the 319.5 MHz frequency. For the 319.5 MHz frequency, any Qolsys converter, such as the Qolsys IQ Hardwire 16-S, can be used.

However, most users of the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 prefer to use wireless door and window sensors. For these sensors, the key is the communication frequency. The accepted frequency is determined by the daughterboard that is integrated with the system. When purchasing a Qolsys IQ Panel 2, a user can choose which daughterboard will be integrated inside the system, and therefore which sensors can be used.

The standard daughterboard for the IQ Panel 2 accepts wireless signals at a frequency of 319.5 MHz. This will allow Qolsys and Interlogix/GE sensors to be used. But if a user wants to use legacy Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors and 2GIG Sensors, then they can obtain a 345 MHz daughterboard. If they want to use legacy DSC Sensors, a 433 MHz daughterboard can be used. And if they want to use the extended-range PowerG DSC Sensors, a 915 MHz daughterboard can be used.

Please be aware that only one daughterboard can be installed inside the IQ Panel 2 System at any given time. By installing a new daughterboard, the system will lose the ability to interface with the sensors of the previously accepted frequency. Also note that as of this writing (May 2018) only the 319.5 MHz daughterboard is available. Qolsys says that the other daughterboards should be available later in 2018, but that they will not be sold separately. This means you will need to determine which wireless technology you plan to use before purchasing the Qolsys IQ Panel 2.