How Do I Program a Hardwired Zone to a DSC PowerSeries NEO?

You can program a hardwired zone to a DSC PowerSeries NEO by connecting the wired sensor to the panel, setting the Zone Type for the hardwired zone, and setting the designated zone to active. Entering programming and making changes to zone settings will require the system's Installer Code.

Depending on the PowerSeries NEO System you are using, there will be either six (6) or eight (8) wired zones on the system's main board. Additional hardwired zones can be achieved by using one or more wired expansion modules. DSC offers the DSC HSM2108 Expansion Module for this purpose. Wired sensors are connected with either the main board or an expansion module. An appropriate end of line resistor (EOLR) should be used with each zone, including zones that do not have sensors connected. The NEO includes 5.6k (Green, Blue, Red, Gold) resistors for this purpose.

Complete the following steps to program a hardwired zone for a DSC PowerSeries NEO:

1. Power down the system. Make sure to power down the system before making hardware changes. Disconnect the system's backup battery, and unplug its transformer to power down.

2. Connect the sensor. Connect the sensor to either the main board or the expansion module. Some sensors will only use two (2) wires. This includes door and window sensors. Other sensors will require four (4) wires. This includes powered devices such as motion detectors and glass break sensors.

If the sensor uses 2 wires, just connect one wire to the designated zone terminal and the second wire to its associated common terminal. Refer to the manual for the sensor on where to place wires at the sensor.

If the sensor uses 4 wires, then 2 will be for zone status, and 2 will be for power. For the zone, connect to the zone terminal and the associated common terminal like you would for any 2-wire sensor. For power, first connect the positive (+) wire to the "AUX+" terminal on the NEO board. Red is usually used for the positive connection. You will then also connect the negative (-) wire to the "AUX-" terminal on the NEO board. Black is usually used for the negative connection.

Remember to also connect an end of line resistor at the sensor. If the sensor is Normally Closed, the resistor will be connected in Series. If the sensor is Normally Open, then the resistor will be connected in Parallel. All NEO System zones, even those that are currently inactive, will use an end of line resistor when the panel is configured properly.

3. Power on system. Now that the hardware changes have been made, you can power the system back on. Connect the transformer and the backup battery to power the system on.

4. Set the Zone Definition. You will first want to set the desired Zone Definition for the hardwired zone that is being configured. The Zone Definition may also be referred to as the Sensor Type or the Response Type. This setting determines how the system will respond when the sensor is faulted. Each available Zone Definition has its own three digit code. For a complete list of Zone Definitions, please see pages 27 thru 29 of the PowerSeries NEO Manual.

To do this, first enter programming with the command [*] + [8] + [Installer Code]. Remember that the default Installer Code is 5555. You will know that you have entered programming because the message "Select (000) Enroll Device" will be displayed on the keypad.

Once you are in programming, enter [001] to get to the Zone Definition field. Then enter the three digit zone number for the zone you want to set. For example, if you are programming Zone 8, then you will enter [008]. Then enter the three digit Zone Definition code associated with the Zone Definition you want to use, and press [*] to confirm your selection. Remember to refer to the manual if you are unsure of Zone Definitions. Then press [#] until you see "Select (001) Zone Definitions".

5. Enable zone on partition(s). The last step is to make sure the zone is enabled on the appropriate partition(s). Depending on the NEO System you are using, there will be either six (6) or eight (8) system partitions. Partition assignments are associated with programming fields (201) thru (206) on a six partition system, and programming fields (201) thru (208) on an eight partition system. For more information about partitions in general, please see this helpful FAQ.

By default, every system zone will be enabled for Partition 1, also known as programming field (201). Every other partition will have every system zone disabled until the toggle selection is manually changed. But it is advised that you always check partition assignments, as you can get some undesired results if a zone is not enabled for a desired partition. Fortunately, checking and adjusting partition assignments is fairly simple.

From the main programming screen, enter the programming field for the partition you want to work with. Partition 1 uses programming field (201), Partition 2 uses programming field (202), etc. For example, if you wanted to set zones for Partition 3, then you would enter [203]. You should see the message "Part.# Zone Mask".

After choosing the partition, you will then need to locate the specific zone you want to work with. Zones are organized in groups of eight (8). In other words, Select (001) is for Zones 1 thru 8, Select (002) is for Zones 9 thru 16, etc. Use the numeric keypad or the arrow keys (< & >) to find the group that contains the zones you want to work with. Then press [*] to proceed.

Use the arrow keys (< & >) to find the exact zone you want to enable for the selected partition. If you want the zone enabled for the selected partition, then make sure it is set to Y for YES. If you want the zone disabled for the selected partition, then make sure it is set to N for NO. You can toggle between Y and N by pressing the [*] key.

Any changes you make will be automatically saved. You can then press [#] to return to the previous screen. Make sure to set every partition accordingly. Remember that zones can be enabled for more than one single partition if needed. This is called a Global Zone. A Global Zone is only armed when all partitions associated with it are armed. The global zone is disarmed when any partition associated with it becomes disarmed. Use this option for zones that are in a common area between two or more separate partitions. Once you are completely finished, you can repeatedly press the [#] key until you return to the main screen.