Overview
The DSC PowerSeries PC1864 is a hardwired burglary control panel from the PC1616/PC1832/PC1864 family (firmware v4.5 and higher in this documentation set). It is aimed at small to mid-size residential and light commercial installs where you need a proven Keybus panel with room to grow through zone expanders, wireless receivers, and IP/cellular communicators—not a touchscreen-all-in-one platform.
At a Glance
| Specification | PC1864 |
|---|---|
| On-board hardwired zones | 8 |
| Maximum hardwired zones | 64 (with up to seven PC5108 modules) |
| Maximum wireless zones | 32 (with RF5132 or RFK55xx receiver) |
| Keypad zone inputs | 11 |
| On-board PGM outputs | 4 (PGM1/3/4: 50 mA; PGM2: 300 mA, supports 2-wire smoke) |
| Maximum PGM outputs | Up to 14 (with PC5208 and PC5204 modules) |
| Keypads supported | Up to 8 on Keybus |
| Partitions | 8 |
| User codes | 95 user codes plus Master code (code 40) |
| Event buffer | 500 events |
| AUX+ bus power | 11.1–12.6 VDC, 700 mA maximum |
| Bell output | 11.1–12.6 VDC residential / 12 VDC commercial, 700 mA, supervised |
| Panel nominal current | 110 mA |
| AC input | 120 VAC / 60 Hz (NA); 16.5 VAC / 40 VA transformer required |
| Battery | Sealed lead-acid or gel; 4 Ah, 7 Ah, or 14 Ah depending on standby requirement |
| Operating environment | 0°C to 49°C (32°F to 120°F), up to 93% RH non-condensing |
What This Panel Does Well
The PC1864 sits at the center of a traditional DSC PowerSeries install: it supervises wired loops and wireless transmitters, drives bell/siren output and PGM relays, reports to a central station over phone, IP, or cellular modules, and supports up to eight partitions for common split residential or small business layouts.
Eight on-board zones cover many installs; adding PC5108 expanders brings the panel to 64 hardwired zones. A RF5132-433 wireless receiver (v5.1+) or RFK55xx-433 keypad with integrated receiver adds up to 32 wireless zones without changing the panel itself.
Programming is done at the keypad with installer code [*, 8, installer code] or remotely through DLS once the user enables the DLS service window. End users arm, disarm, bypass, and read troubles from PK-series LED keypads, PK5500/RFK5500 LCD keypads, or legacy LCD5511/LED5511Z fixed-message keypads.
Before You Service or Replace One
Confirm these details before quoting parts, programming, or a swap:
- Panel family and firmware — Manuals cover PC1616/1832/1864 v4.5+; programming worksheets and feature limits differ by version.
- Region — NA vs EU install manuals and transformer models differ (e.g., PTD1640U-CC for plug-in NA installs).
- Expansion already in place — PC5108 v1 and v2 must not be mixed on the same panel; jumper settings assign zone banks.
- Wireless generation — 433 MHz PowerSeries wireless; CO wireless requires RF5132 v5.1+ or RFK55xx-433 v1.2+ with WS4913 detectors.
- Communicator path — Phone (RJ-31X), T-Link TL-250/TL-300, TL260GS, GS2060, and related modules each have their own wiring and programming sections.
- Listed install type — UL/ULC burglary, fire, and SIA CP-01 false-alarm reduction each impose specific programming defaults (entry/exit limits, EOL types, bell timeout, etc.).
Official Sources
- Product page: DSC PC1864 (ID 3)
- PC1616/PC1832/PC1864 User Manual v4.5 and Installation Manual v4.5 NA/EU — DSC official documentation
Use the official installation manual for wire gauges, resistor values, and programming section numbers; use the user manual for keypad commands and end-user trouble display.
Compatible Peripherals
The PC1864 uses DSC 4-wire Keybus (PowerSeries, not PowerSeries Neo HS2). Compatibility depends on 433 MHz PowerSeries wireless, Keybus firmware version, and regional model—not every DSC catalog part works on this generation panel.
Control Panel Limits (PC1864)
| Resource | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Hardwired zones (on board) | 8 |
| Hardwired zones (with expansion) | 64 (up to seven PC5108 modules) |
| Wireless zones | 32 |
| Keypad zone inputs | 11 |
| Keypads | 8 |
| Partitions | 8 |
| On-board PGM | 2 (PGM1: 50 mA; PGM2: 300 mA, supports 2-wire smoke) |
| Total PGM (with modules) | 14 |
| User codes | 95 + Master |
| Keybus + AUX current | 700 mA (panel supply) |
Keypads
All PowerSeries keypads on Keybus are backward compatible unless noted in module documentation.
| Model | Type | Keybus current (max) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PK5500 | LCD full-message | 125 mA | Zone bypass scroll, version display, template programming |
| PK5501 | LED 1-zone | 125 mA | |
| PK5508 | LED 8-zone | 125 mA | |
| PK5516 | LED 16-zone | 125 mA | |
| RFK5500 / RFK5501 / RFK5508 / RFK5516 | RFK variants | 135 mA | Integrated 433 MHz receiver option |
| LCD5511 | Fixed-message LCD | 85 mA | Legacy; LCD5500 v2.x or older affects some programming options |
| LED5511Z | 8-zone LED | 100 mA | Legacy fixed LED |
| PKP-LCD / PKP-ICN | Icon keypads | — | SIA CP-01 minimum config keypads |
Requirements: PK55xx or RFK55xx v1.1+ for template programming [899] and some installer prompts. Minimum two keypads for UL Home Health Care listed configs.
Zone Expansion and Hardwired Interfaces
| Module | Function | Keybus current | PC1864 notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC5108 | 8-zone expander | 30 mA | Expander modules → 16 total hardwired zones; set J1–J3 jumpers for zone bank |
| PC5100 | 2-wire smoke interface | 40 mA + devices (170 mA max) | Smoke power and reset |
| PC5700 | Large zone expander | — | Enrolls as two Keybus modules |
Important: Do not mix PC5108 v1.0 and PC5108 v2 on the same panel. PC5108 v1 supports zones 1–32 only.
Power Supplies and PGM Modules
| Module | Function | Keybus current |
|---|---|---|
| PC5200 | Auxiliary power supply | 20 mA |
| PC5204 | Power supply + 4 PGM (500 mA each) | 30 mA |
| PC5208 | 8 low-current PGM (50 mA each) | 50 mA |
| PC5320 | Output module | See install sheet |
Use PC5200/PC5204 when Keybus devices exceed 700 mA panel budget.
Wireless (433 MHz PowerSeries)
| Module | Function | Keybus current | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF5132-433 | Wireless receiver | 125 mA | v5.1+ for wireless CO |
| RF5108-433 | 8-zone wireless receiver | 125 mA | |
| RFK55xx-433 | Keypad with receiver | 135 mA | v1.2+ for wireless CO |
Wireless CO: Use WS4913 transmitters only with RF5132 v5.1+ or RFK55xx-433 v1.2+.
Wireless keys: WS4939 and related WS49xx series; arm/disarm squawk programming in [014] when used.
Supported hardwired CO detectors (examples): Potter CO-12/24, Quantum 12-24SIR, NAPCO FW-CO12/FW-CO1224, System Sensor CO1224.
Communicators and Reporting
| Module | Path | Keybus current (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| TL-250 / TL-300 | IP / intranet to T-Link receivers | 275 / 350 mA |
| TL260GS / TL265GS | Ethernet + GPRS | 100 mA |
| TL260 / TL260GS-SM | Ethernet variants | 100–120 mA |
| GS2060 / GS2065 | GPRS/GSM | 65 mA |
| GS2060-SM | GPRS only | 90 mA |
| Escort5580TC | Telephone interface | 130 mA |
| On-board phone dialer | POTS via RJ-31X | — |
Note: T-Link TL-150 is not UL/ULC listed. Verify central station receiver compatibility (Contact ID, SIA, pulse formats—Appendix F in install manual).
Serial / Automation / Access
| Module | Function |
|---|---|
| PC5400 | Serial/printer interface (general system trouble source if offline) |
| IT-100 / Envisalink (third-party) | Often used on this generation—verify firmware; not in DSC v4.5 manual table |
Cabinets and Transformers
| Part | Use |
|---|---|
| PC5003C | Standard residential cabinet (222 × 298 × 78 mm) |
| PC500C | Residential burglary |
| PC4050CAR | UL commercial burglary |
| CMC-1 | Attack-resistant / UL local central station |
| SAE 14 / 21 / 28 / 42 | Larger commercial cabinets |
| PTD1640U / PTC1640U / PTD1640U-CC | 16.5 VAC 40 VA transformers |
| PTD1640 | Canadian installs |
Bell / Siren Output
Panel bell output: 700 mA continuous, supervised. Compatible with DSC SD-series and other 12 V sounders within current limit; use external relay for high-current sirens.
Not Compatible / Wrong Generation
- PowerSeries Neo (HS2xxx) keypads, receivers, and modules—different platform.
- PowerG / Qolsys / IQ devices—different wireless ecosystem.
- ITv2 modules without verifying specific PowerSeries v4.x support documents.
- Mixing PC5108 v1 and v2 expanders on one panel.
When replacing a panel, match Keybus modules, wireless frequency (433 MHz), communicator type, and programming version before promising a drop-in swap.
Source: Installation Manual v4.5 NA compatible devices table and wiring sections; User Manual v4.5 keypad list.