DSC PowerSeries PC1864 Control Panel

The DSC PowerSeries PC1864 is the top of the classic PowerSeries range and one of the most common panels in North American homes and light commercial sites. It has the most zones, partitions, and users in the family, and supports the full range of PowerSeries keypads, expanders, output modules, and communicators.

At a glance

Smaller sites use the PC1616 or PC1832; all three share accessories. For new installs DSC now offers the PowerSeries Neo.

Press * 2 when the Trouble light is on. Larger PC1864 systems often show trouble 1 for module supervision: a keypad or expander on the Keybus has stopped responding. See DSC PowerSeries trouble codes for every code.

Module supervision trouble

Big systems have more devices on the Keybus and longer wire runs. A loose connection, a failed keypad, or a power supply that cannot keep up will cause supervision troubles. Check each module's wiring and its power, and make sure every module you removed was also removed from programming.

Low power or keypads resetting

Many keypads, expanders, and powered detectors can exceed what the panel's auxiliary output provides, especially on battery. Add a supervised power-supply module to share the load.

Other common fixes

• Communication failure
• User codes ([*][5])
• False alarms

• Keypads: full-message LCD, icon LCD, 16-zone LED.
• Expansion: 8-zone hardwire expander, power-supply modules.
• Communicators: TL280 internet, LE2080 / TL280LE dual-path.

• Programming: * 8 + installer code. See DSC installer programming. On large systems, DSC's DLS programming software is much faster than keypad programming.
• Label each module's Keybus address and zone range inside the cabinet; it saves time on every service call.
• Use a full-message LCD keypad at the main entrance so troubles show in words.