How Do I Install the Qolsys IQ Card-IS into the Qolsys IQ Panel 2?

You can install the Qolsys IQ Card-IS into the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 by powering down the system, opening up the panel, attaching the daughtercard, closing the panel and then powering it back on. The panel will automatically recognize the module so that image sensors can be programmed.

An image sensor is essentially a motion sensor combined with a picture camera. The device will take a still image when its built-in motion sensor is activated. The sensor will send the image to both the IQ Panel 2 and Alarm.com. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 System supports Qolsys Image Sensors, which communicate using ZigBee technology.

The IQ Card-IS allows the system to accept the ZigBee signals from the image sensor. No other ZigBee devices can be used with the system. Up to five image sensors can be used with the system. Please note that the antenna used with the IQ Card-IS is the same antenna needed to support the PowerG daughtercard that comes installed in the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus.

For that reason, you cannot feasibly use image sensors and PowerG sensors on the same IQ2 System. Although both modules can technically be installed, only the one receiving the antenna will have any useful range. You will need to decide whether using image sensors or PowerG sensors is more important. If you know you will not be using PowerG sensors, you may be best off buying a standard IQ Panel 2 instead of an IQ Panel 2 Plus.

Keep in mind though that the standard IQ Panel 2 can only support 319.5 MHz sensors. If you want to use 345 MHz or 433 MHz sensors, you should buy the appropriate version of the IQ2+. From there, you will need to install the IQ Card-IS. When doing this, switch the antenna from the PowerG daughtercard to the IQ Card-IS. You can read more about the IQ Panel 2 Plus Systems in this recent blog post.

Complete the following steps to install the Qolsys IQ Card-IS with the IQ Panel 2:

1. Power down. To power down the system, first press the small grey bar at the top of the main screen. Then choose Settings > Advanced Settings > Installer Code (default 1111) > Power Down > OK. The system will power down.

2. Open the panel. Press the two tabs on the bottom of the panel, and release the front from the back plate to carefully open up the panel. You should now have access to the system board.

3. Install the module. Locate the spot for the image sensor seen in the picture below. The pink rectangle shows where the module goes. Directly above that pink rectangle is the antenna, which has a green rectangle around it. The antenna is held in place with yellow tape in the picture. If necessary, remove the tape so that you have access to the antenna. The small orange rectangle shows the female pin connector.

Align the male pin connector on the daughtercard with the female pin connector on the panel. Press the module down so that it secures into place. Then lock it into place using the supplied screws. Finally, connect the antenna to the appropriate spot on the IQ Card-IS.

4. Restore power. Close the IQ Panel 2 System after you have finished installing the module. Then press and hold the power button on the side of the system to power it back on. The image sensor should be working automatically. You can verify its operation by pressing the small grey bar and choosing Settings > Advanced Settings > Installer Code (default 1111) > System Tests > Daughtercard Tests. Choose Run for the appropriate daughtercard.