How Do I Enroll and Interconnect Interlogix SDX-135Z Smoke and Freeze Detectors?

You can enroll and interconnect Interlogix SDX-135Z Smoke and Freeze Detectors by completing the interconnection process first, and then pairing each sensor individually with the 319.5 MHz alarm panel. The smoke/heat and freeze zones pair separately using Sensor ID's listed on the packaging.

Since the Interlogix SDX-135Z devices use separate enrollment for the smoke/heat and freeze zones, they will each require two (2) separate zones on the alarm panel for full functionality. Both the smoke/heat and freeze functions have their own associated Sensor ID that is unique to that function. If you do not want to use one function, then it is possible to leave its associated Sensor ID unenrolled so that it does not report to the security system. This is often done by users who only want to use the Interlogix SDX-135Z for smoke/heat detection, and not for freeze detection.

Setting up an interconnected network of Interlogix SDX-135Z detectors makes it so that when one sensor activates its internal 85 dB sounder for smoke/heat detection, all of the other interconnected sensors will activate their own sounders as well. This is an important life-safety feature that spreads the sound out further and helps ensure that everyone on the premises is alerted in the event of a fire. Many experts refer to this interconnectivity as One-Go-All-Go. While setting up this feature is optional, it is recommended that you take advantage of it if you are using multiple SDX-135Z devices. Remember that up to 24 individual SDX-135Z devices can be included with a single interconnected network.

One other thing to keep in mind about setting up an interconnected One-Go-All-Go network of Interlogix SDX-135Z devices is that one (1) sensor will need to be designated as the centralized hub for wireless communication for the rest of the sensors to pass through. Make sure that you remember which sensor is being used for this purpose. It is strongly advised that this "primary" sensor be installed in a centralized location, relative to all the other sensors on the network. This will help ensure that the other sensors can successfully transmit their signals when a fire occurs.

Please note that the process of interconnecting and enrolling Interlogix SDX-135Z devices has many steps. Before beginning, it is recommended that you have each sensor removed from its packaging, but make absolutely sure that you remember which packaging is associated with each sensor. You will likely need to reference the packaging to find the two (2) Sensor ID's for each device. It is also advised that you do not mount the sensors until the very end of the process and that you read the full list of steps below before you begin. Complete the following steps to interconnect and enroll Interlogix SDX-135Z Sensors:

1. Activate monitoring test mode. Before you start working with your Interlogix SDX-135Z Sensors, we recommend putting your system on test mode. This is applicable to anyone whose security system is monitored with central station service. The possibility of accidentally triggering an alarm on your system during this lengthy process is relatively high, so this is a good preventative measure for false alarms. If you want, you can wait to do this until after setting up your interconnected network, and before enrolling the sensors with the panel. Remember that you only need to do this if your system is actively being monitored. You can exit test mode after the entire process is finished.

2. Power on each device. You can power on each device by attaching the main unit to its mounting bracket, which may also be called the trim plate. This activates the sensor's internal 3V battery. Alternatively, you can power on a device by using a screwdriver to turn its red activation dial to ON. You can identify that a device has been powered on, as its LED light will begin fading on and off. The activation dial can be seen in the black & white images below.

3. Create the interconnected network. You have 15 minutes after powering on an Interlogix SDX-135Z device to pair it with a wireless network. If you miss this time window, then you can go back and reset the sensor to pair it with the network. We will cover that process later in this FAQ. But it's easiest if you can get all the devices paired in one attempt. Have all the devices powered on and within close proximity of each other. Choose one (1) detector to serve as the central hub. This is the detector that you should ultimately install in a centralized location, as we suggested earlier. On this sensor, press and hold the Test/Hush button until two (2) beeps occur from the sounder. This will take approximately four (4) seconds. Then release the button. The sensor's LED light will rapidly flash green, and then it will begin fading on and off about every second. This indicates that it is waiting for other sensors to join.

Any sensor that has been powered on within the last 15 minutes and is within signal range of the central sensor will join the network. You will know that a sensor that has been recently powered on is still in its "pairing mode", as its LED light will continue to fade on and off. You can identify that a sensor has successfully joined the interconnected network by its LED light flashing green rapidly and then fading on and off about every three (3) seconds. This is slower fading than the "primary" sensor. If you press and release the Test/Hush button on any detector during this time, its red LED light will flash the current number of sensors enrolled on the interconnected network. The network can have up to 23 additional sensors beyond the initial hub sensor, for a maximum total of 24 interconnected sensors.

Once you are finished, you can wait 15 minutes for the pairing process to timeout. Alternatively, you can close the network pairing process at any time by pressing and holding the Test/Hush button on any sensor included with the network until two (2) beeps occur from its sounder. This will require pressing and holding the button for about four (4) seconds. It is very important to note that you should wait at least ten (10) minutes after pairing mode has been ended before powering down any sensor that is paired with the interconnected network. After all your sensors have successfully included with the hub, then you can begin pairing sensors individually with the alarm panel. If one or more sensors failed to pair with the hub, then you can follow the steps for pairing failed/additional sensors.

4. Pair failed/additional sensors. If any sensors failed to pair with the interconnected network in Step 3, then you can follow this process to try again. Additionally, this process is also used if you get new sensors sometime later after initially setting up the interconnected network and you want to pair them. Please note that you will need a small magnet to complete this process.

Start by choosing a sensor that is already included with the wireless interconnected network. This can technically be any sensor on the network, but using the centralized hub sensor is recommended. Take the magnet, and place it on the designated spot shown in the picture at the bottom of this step. The device will beep once upon detecting the magnet. Continue to hold the magnet in place. After about four (4) seconds, the sensor will beep two (2) more times and begin flashing its red LED light. This indicates that the device is in its System Test Mode.

With the sensor in its System Test Mode, press and hold its Test/Hush button until two (2) additional beeps occur. This will take approximately four (4) seconds. Release the button at that time. The LED light will begin fading on and off green, which indicates that it is looking for new sensors to include with the network. The sensor will remain in this pairing mode for 15 minutes. If you fail to pair a sensor within this time window, then you must start Step 4 over and try again. Once you have finished, just wait 15 minutes for the pairing mode to timeout. Remember that you should wait at least ten (10) minutes after exiting pairing mode to power down any sensor paired with the network.

For a new sensor that has never been powered on, simply power it on while it is within range of the sensor facilitating the pairing process. Remember that a sensor is powered on by either applying it to its mounting bracket or by using a screwdriver to adjust its red dial to ON. See Step 1 for more information. The new sensor's LED light will fade on and off red every three (3) seconds while searching for a network to join. It will rapidly flash green and slowly fade green on and off upon pairing with the network.

For a sensor that failed to pair during its initial 15 minute window after powering on, you need to factory reset the sensor so that the pairing process may be attempted again. This may also be done if you somehow inherit a used Interlogix SDX-135Z that is already paired with a different network, outside your own. Hold the magnet in the proper spot based on the diagram shown at the bottom of this step. The sensor will beep once upon detecting the magnet, and then beep two (2) more times after the magnet has been held in place for about four (4) seconds. The sensor will also begin flashing its red LED light. Just like before, this indicates that the sensor is in its System Test Mode. With the sensor in this mode, press and hold its Test/Hush button. You will need to keep it held down for about eight (8) seconds. After four (4) seconds, the sensor will beep twice, and its red LED will flash rapidly, but do NOT release the button. Upon reaching the full eight (8) seconds, the sensor should beep three (3) times, indicating that it has been reset to default. You should then see the red LED light make two (2) cycles of on and off, followed by one (1) cycle of the green LED going on and off. The red LED will then begin fading on and off, indicating that it is looking for a network to join. Once you see the LED begin fading on and off green, that indicates that the sensor joined the network successfully.

Please note the Magnet Placement Location in the following diagram:

5. Pair to alarm panel. You will now begin pairing sensors with the alarm panel. This must be done on an individual basis. Remember that there are two (2) functions that you can enroll. These functions are smoke/heat and freeze. Each function has its own unique Sensor ID that can be found on the product packaging. You may want to refer to the packaging for the purpose of verifying Sensor ID numbers. Using both functions will require two (2) separate zones on the alarm panel. Enrolling both functions is optional. Many users will skip enrolling low-temp or freeze detection if the sensor is being used in a location where it might ordinarily become cold. Keep in mind that low temperature detection for the Interlogix SDX-135Z occurs when the detected temperature drops below 41°F.

Start by putting your wireless 319.5 MHz panel into its wireless enrollment mode. With the Interlogix SDX-135Z Sensor powered ON and within wireless range of the panel, remove the main sensor from its mounting bracket or trim plate. The sensor will send two (2) signals to the panel, first for smoke/heat, and then for freeze. Your alarm panel should provide indication that a sensor is attempting to enroll. The displayed Sensor ID should match one showed on the product packaging. Confirm that you want to enroll this sensor function. Then program the sensor based on how you want it to function on your alarm system. If you are pairing the Interlogix SDX-135Z with a 319.5 MHz Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System, then you may want to refer to this FAQ that outlines the system's Sensor Groups.

If you are enrolling for both functions, then you should repeat the configuration process a second time. Put the panel into its wireless enrollment mode and remove the sensor from its mounting bracket to activate its tamper signal. This time, the other Sensor ID should appear on the screen and ask if you want to enroll. Confirm that you want to pair the sensor, and then program the zone accordingly.

In most cases, smoke/heat will program before freeze detection. It is possible that you may run into problems when attempting to automatically enroll the freeze detection function. The most common error is that you get a message stating that the sensor you are trying to pair is already enrolled with the system. Another issue is that the system will never automatically acknowledge the second Sensor ID (typically freeze) that you are trying to learn-in. This often happens with 319.5 MHz systems that are not manufactured by Interlogix. This is because the Interlogix SDX-135Z was specifically built with the intention of it being used with Interlogix Alarm Systems that accept the 319.5 MHz wireless frequency. In any case, if you find that the second zone will not auto-enroll, then you can instead manually enter the Sensor ID into the appropriate field for zone programming. From there, program the zone accordingly. Make sure to be very careful when manually entering a Sensor ID or Serial Number so that you do not make a mistake.

6. Mount and test. You should now mount the sensors in the desired locations. Make sure that they are within wireless signal range of the alarm panel. Remember to place the sensor you used as the "primary" device when setting up the interconnected network in a centralized location, relative to the other sensors on the network. From there, you should test the sensors to ensure that they are working properly. Make absolutely sure that your system is on test mode if you are monitored to prevent any false alarm dispatches.

You can confirm that any sensor is powered on by quickly pressing and releasing its Test/Hush button. The sensor will emit a quick beep to confirm that it is running. The sensor will not trigger an alarm on the system. However, it is still advised that you have your system on test mode when doing this for the purpose of false alarm prevention. This is a simple and basic test that you can perform very quickly.

To perform an interconnected network test, place a magnet in the "Magnet Placement Location" shown earlier in this FAQ. The sensor will beep once upon detecting the magnet. Keep it there for four (4) seconds. The sensor will beep twice and its red LED will begin flashing to let you know that it has entered System Test Mode. Then press and release the Test/Hush button to have all the interconnected sensors perform a self-test. All of the sensors will report a signal to the panel. Again, this should not cause an alarm on your system, but you should still have your system in test mode just as a precautionary measure. You can do this using any sensor paired with the interconnected network.

If you want to test the sensor's ability to trigger an alarm on your system, press and hold the Test/Hush button for about four (4) seconds. This is done without using the magnet placement process for interconnecting sensors. The sensor will beep twice, and it will send an alarm signal to the control panel. You should then clear the alarm on your security system. Obviously, do not do this without putting your system on test mode first.

You can also perform a functional test using canned smoke. This is the ultimate test, as it confirms that your sensor is able to successfully detect smoke and transmit an alarm signal to the panel. It also confirms that your wireless interconnected One-Go-All-Go network is functioning as intended. Spray the canned smoke into the side screen of the detector unit from a distance of roughly two (2) to four (4) feet away. The alarm should occur within one (1) to ten (10) seconds. You can press the Test/Hush button on the sensor to stop it from sounding. Note that the sensor will not stop sounding if there is still smoke in the detection chamber.

As part of the functional test, verify that all of the other sensors on the interconnected network also began sounding and that an alarm occurred on your security system. You can clear the system alarm when you are finished. Again, place your system on test mode first. In a pinch, you can also perform this test using a smoldering cotton ball or wick instead of canned smoke. However, the use of canned smoke is recommended. It is advised that you test your sensors regularly to ensure proper operation. Replace any sensor that is not functioning properly.