What happens when a Qolsys IQ Panel loses AC power?
When the Qolsys IQ Panel (Gen 1) on software version 1.4.3+ loses AC power, it will operate on its internal battery pack. To conserve power during battery operation, the panel follows a sequence of events to turn off certain components, and eventually, the IQ Panel goes to sleep mode.
When the IQ Panel (Gen 1) loses AC power:
The following occurs immediately after the IQ Panel loses AC power:
- The IQ Panel begins an internal timer countdown based on the user-selected value for Power Management Sleep Timeout (To manage this in panel settings, select Settings > Installation > Security Account).
- Once the IQ Panel has counted down the time set in Power Management Sleep Timeout, the IQ Panel turns off its Z-Wave controller, and the IQ Panel’s Wi-Fi is disabled.
- The IQ Panel waits 55 seconds to internally check if there are any messages the IQ Panel needs to send to the Alarm.com Network Operations Center (NOC).
- Once the IQ Panel has sent out any necessary messages to the Alarm.com NOC, the IQ Panel will power down its cellular radio module, and the IQ Panel goes to sleep (the screen shuts off, and communication via cell radio is disabled). The IQ Panel is now in sleep mode.
- In sleep mode, only an AC power restore or a local sensor trip (e.g., door sensor trip, panel tamper, etc.) can wake up the IQ Panel.
- Messages, commands, or rules sent externally from the Alarm.com NOC cannot wake up the IQ Panel.
- Messages, commands, or rules sent to the IQ Panel while it is in sleep mode will not be received by the IQ Panel while it is in sleep mode. (Although, some of these messages may be received by the IQ Panel after it wakes up.)
- If the AC power is restored or a local sensor is tripped, the IQ Panel will wake up, power on its cellular radio module, and communicate with the Alarm.com NOC.
- Details of the wake-up event are communicated to the Alarm.com NOC, as well as any other messages the panel wants to send out. The IQ Panel may receive messages, commands, and rules sent from the Alarm.com NOC while the IQ Panel was in sleep mode.
Note: It is not guaranteed that all messages, commands, or rules sent to the IQ Panel from the Alarm.com NOC during IQ Panel sleep mode will be received at the IQ Panel after it wakes up.
- Details of the wake-up event are communicated to the Alarm.com NOC, as well as any other messages the panel wants to send out. The IQ Panel may receive messages, commands, and rules sent from the Alarm.com NOC while the IQ Panel was in sleep mode.
- If the wake up was caused by a sensor trip (and not an AC power restore), then the panel will return to step 3 and repeat this process.