DSC SCW457AATNT

The DSC Impassa Security System with Alarm.com AT&T 3G can provide basic monitoring service for a home or a business. This is a wireless, all-in-one panel that includes local installer-level programming and support for legacy DSC 433 MHz Sensors. This version of the Impassa includes an integrated cellular communicator that will allow the system to access the 3G AT&T cellular network and the Alarm.com interactive service. Any user who is new to alarm monitoring should make sure that their Impassa System includes some type of integrated cellular radio, due to the overall importance of cellular monitoring.

The 3G8055 AT&T 3G Alarm.com communicator is integrated and includes a Z-Wave Controller. There is no Image Sensor Module (ISM) included. There is a backup battery, but NO TRANSFORMER IS INCLUDED. This panel is generally designed for replacing an existing Impassa. However, if this is a fresh install, you can purchase the Honeywell 1321 Transformer, which outputs 16.5VAC, 20VA.

What makes the DSC Impassa unique is that it is the only all-in-one wireless DSC panel with both local installer-level programming and support for Alarm.com services. Local installer programming is needed for a DIY user to perform basic programming functions without needing to involve their alarm company. This includes adding, removing and configuring any sensors that are used with the system. While DSC's newest wireless alarm system, the Iotega, can support the new long range PowerG sensor lineup there is no local programming. This can be a deal breaker for DIY customers. As a result of the path DSC has taken with stipping out local programming on the Iotega, any user who wants to use Alarm.com services and perform their own local programming should choose the Impassa as their security system.

Up to 64 wireless zones and 16 separate key fob zones can be programmed with the DSC Impassa. Most users will find that this is more than enough for their home or small business. The panel also includes an integrated touch-button keypad. This keypad is used for both regular arming and disarming and system programming. While this can work just fine, some users may find it challenging to use a touch-button keypad for programming instead of a touchscreen controller. And other users may want a touchscreen controller to simply make daily system arming and disarming more convenient. Other companies, such as Honeywell, 2GIG and Qolsys, produce their own wireless all-in-one systems that include integrated touchscreen controllers. The main reason to choose the DSC Impassa over other wireless all-in-one systems is to use 433 MHz sensors. There is an external touchscreen keypad that can be used with the DSC Impassa, but it does not support installer programming.

The legacy DSC 433 MHz Sensors have proven to be very effective when used in a wide array of residential and commercial environments. They can be auto-learned in with the DSC Impassa, and they are very reliable in alerting the system once activated. The Impassa is particularly useful in situations where a user already has existing 433 MHz sensors, but no system to use them with. By adding the DSC Impassa, the user can quickly get their sensors up and running. All the sensors can be auto-enrolled with relative ease, though a DIY user will need to become familiar with the system's somewhat unusual programming process. But most DIY users can figure this out with just some minor support. And remember, installer programming will be rarely accessed once the system and all of its sensors are active.

Other features for the DSC Impassa include the ability to support up to 4 external keypads, 17 different programmed user codes and 500 system events in the event log. Since this version of the Impassa includes a cellular communicator, it can access Alarm.com. This is an interactive service that a user can access to arm and disarm their system, check the status of sensors, control Z-Wave devices and more. Alarm.com can be reached using a web browser, and it also has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. With this mobile app, a user can essentially control their Impassa from anywhere.

But cellular communication provides more for a system than just letting it access Alarm.com. Most security experts agree that cellular monitoring is the best possible communication path for an alarm system. Cellular service is incredibly reliable, and unlike WIFI, it is almost never down or unavailable. Cellular connectivity does not rely on electricity, and a system receiving cellular service will continue to be actively monitored even when the power is out. For these reasons, we strongly encourage all Impassa users to make sure their system receives cellular monitoring service.

Please note that this is the AT&T 3G "takeover" version of the DSC Impassa, and it does not include the AC transformer. It is called a takeover kit because it assumes that you are upgrading from an older version of the Impassa and already have the transformer required to power it. If you do not have a compatible transformer, you will need to purchase one separately. The Honeywell 1321 AC Transformer will work fine for this application.

This is the AT&T version of the Impassa System, and it includes an AT&T communicator. The installed communicator will determine which cellular network the system connects with. The cellular network that is used with an alarm system has nothing to do with the cellular service that a user has for their cell phone. For example, even if a user has a Verizon smartphone, they might still use AT&T for their DSC Impassa System at home. Alarm Grid recommends that users choose whichever service typically functions better at the location of the panel.