Does A Qolsys IQ Panel 4 Support Z-Wave Receptacles?

A Qolsys IQ Panel 4 can support Z-Wave receptacles and many other Z-Wave devices. It has a built-in Z-Wave V2 700-Series controller. As is the case with all Z-Wave controllers, it is backward compatible. That means it can support new 700 and 800-Series devices and older 500 and 300-Series.

Below is a front and side view of the GE 28172 Smart Switch:

As we mentioned above, the IQ Panel 4 has a Z-Wave Plus V2 controller with a 700-Series chip. That means it supports all available Z-Wave devices, including 800-Series devices. The 800-Series chip was an upgrade for peripherals rather than for controllers. The Z-Wave Alliance has done a good job in making all of their new products backward compatible with older version of Z-Wave. There are some drawbacks to mixing older Z-Wave (300-Series) and Z-Wave Plus (500-Series) devices with newer Z-Wave Plus V2 (700-Series) devices. You can read about that here.

In addition to Z-Wave support, each Qolsys IQ Panel 4 also supports PowerG sensors and automation devices. A newly purchased panel may require a firmware upgrade to the latest version. Version 4.4.0+ is required to support PowerG Automation. The current released version is 4.4.2. In the past we've provided the update file to any user whose panel doesn't have access to WIFI. We aren't able to do that currently, but below are instructions on how to update the panel yourself, as long as it has a connection to WIFI. Your alarm dealer can also push the update through for you, but again, the panel must have access to WIFI.

Notes on updating firmware: Panels running 4.0.0, 4.0.1 or 4.1.0 must be updated to 4.1.1 first. The panel can then be updated directly to 4.2.0 or 4.2.1. Once updated to 4.2.0 or 4.2.1 they can be updated directly to 4.3.0 and then 4.4.2.

To wirelessly install this software, no download is required, simply follow these instructions after making sure your panel is on version 4.3.0. If your panel is not on 4.3.0, please follow the procedure outlined above and install the prerequisite version first, using the instructions below and Patch Tag iqpanel#.#.# (where the #s correspond to the appropriate version number):

• Swipe down from the top of the screen and touch "Settings".
• Touch “Advanced Settings”
• Enter a valid Installer or Dealer Code (defaults are 1111 and 2222 respectively)
• Touch "About" then touch "Software" to check the current panel version. Then, hit the back arrow at the bottom left of the screen. If your panel is on the required firmware version, continue to the next step, if not, then follow these instructions to upgrade to each prerequisite version until you get to the one required.
• Touch “Upgrade Software”.
• Touch “Patch Tag” and enter: iqpanel4.4.2 (exactly as shown) then touch “OK”
• Touch “Upgrade Using Network”. If the panel is connected to WIFI, the system will begin downloading the update, it will be installed when the download completes. Once the update begins Do Not Touch The Screen! The update will take about 5 minutes, and the panel will reboot as a part of the process. When the panel returns to the home screen and the Green LEDs are lit, the process is complete.