Overview
PowerG smoke or CO detector — life-safety wireless device for IQ systems (IQ Smoke, IQ Carbon, IQ Heat).
Life-safety devices have stricter placement and testing requirements than burglary sensors. Follow NFPA/local code, use professional monitoring where required, and never substitute takeover modules for fire or CO hardwire.
At a Glance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Detection | Smoke, CO, or heat — SKU specific |
| Wireless | PowerG encrypted |
| Life safety | Follow code; professional monitoring recommended |
What This Device Does Well
Provides reliable supervised status at the panel and Alarm.com when installed, enrolled, and range-tested correctly.
Before You Service or Replace One
- Device age — smoke/CO sensors expire; replace per label date.
- Zone type — fire vs burglary programming differs; do not bypass without authority.
- FireFighter placement — acoustic path to standalone smoke alarms.
- Monitoring — central station fire test procedures for monitored accounts.
Official Sources
Use official Qolsys install PDFs and install guides for exact wiring, enrollment, and firmware — specifications vary by SKU and region.
Troubleshooting
Quick diagnostic flow
- Confirm exact model/SKU on label matches official install guide.
- Clear panel AC and cell troubles before diagnosing wireless devices.
- Read zone trouble — tamper and low battery before "missing."
- Verify PowerG vs IQ Card 319/345 vs hardwire sensor matches panel hardware.
- For cell modules: ICCID, antenna, RSSI, and dealer platform match.
- Power-cycle panel only per dealer policy — document user codes first.
Symptom-based fixes
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Zone missing | Range or battery | Replace battery; add IQ Card or panel radio placement |
| Encryption trouble | Wrong sensor series | Use PowerG on IQ Panel or wired via Hardwire 16-F |
| Cell fail persists | SKU or activation | Correct LTE module; dealer activates Alarm.com |
| Z-Wave won't include | Prior hub pairing | Exclude from old controller; include near panel |
| Takeover false alarms | Wired loop fault | Check EOL wiring; verify burglary-only zones |
| Cannot arm | Open zone or trouble | Status screen — secure or bypass per policy |
Testing checklist
| Test | How | Pass criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke/CO test button | UL listed test method | Panel receives alarm within spec |
| FireFighter acoustic | Smoke alarm test tone | Listener zone alarms |
| Supervision | Panel status | No trouble with cover closed |
After replacement
Delete old zone, enroll new hardware, update zone name, run walk test, and notify monitoring dealer if central station records zone numbers.
Source: IQ smoke/CO install guide; Qolsys official documentation.