Key Highlights: Supports up to 128 wireless zones (mainly PowerG encrypted sensors with excellent long-range and two-way communication). Built-in Z-Wave Plus 700/800-series for smart home automation (lights, locks, thermostats, etc.). Bluetooth disarming, voice prompts, and strong integration with the Alarm.com app for remote control and monitoring. Backup battery for ~24 hours of power. It excels at reliable security plus smart home features in a user-friendly tablet-style design. Preferred/Recommended Equipment: PowerG sensors — Door/window contacts, motion detectors, glass break, smoke/CO detectors (encrypted, long-range). Z-Wave devices — Smart locks, lights/switches, thermostats, garage door controllers. Keypads — PowerG wireless keypads or Wi-Fi IQ Remotes for additional control points. Optional — IQ Base (for enhanced audio) or legacy frequency daughter cards (319.5/345/433 MHz) for older sensors. This setup pairs best with an Alarm.com monitoring service for full remote access and notifications. Let me know if you need more details on specific models!
Home Automation
Qolsys IQ Panel 4 Home Automation Features (Z-Wave Focused) The IQ Panel 4 has a built-in Z-Wave Plus 700/800-series controller for robust smart home automation.
It works both locally on the panel and via the Alarm.com platform for remote/cloud control. Device Capacity & Categories Total Z-Wave devices: Up to 137 (varies slightly by firmware).
Lights & Appliance Control: Up to 80 (on/off switches, dimmers, plugs, bulbs, modules).
Door Locks: Up to 20.
Thermostats: Up to 10.
Garage Doors: Up to 6 (supports Linear, LiftMaster, Genie, Overhead Door, and compatible Z-Wave openers).
Other: Up to 21 (sirens, water valves, range extenders, energy meters, etc. max 3 sirens).
Local Control on the Panel You can control and monitor automation devices directly from the 7" touchscreen: Turn lights on/off, dim, or get status. Lock/unlock doors. Adjust thermostat settings. Open/close garage doors. View device status, battery levels, alerts, and history. Local Automation Rules (Simple On-Panel Rules) These work independently of Alarm.com (great for basic needs or no-monitoring setups):
Night Mode: Lights on at 7 PM, off at 6 AM. Evening Mode: Lights on at 7 PM, off at 11 PM. Front Door: Lights on for 15 minutes when the "Front Door" sensor opens (between certain hours). Doorbell: Lights on for 15 minutes when doorbell activates.
Custom basic rules tied to time of day or specific sensors. Advanced Automation via Alarm.com With an Alarm.com monitoring plan (recommended for full features): Scenes: One-touch control of multiple devices (e.g., "Good Night" turns off lights, locks doors, adjusts thermostat). Schedules & Rules: Time-based, event-based (e.g., arm system → lock doors door opens at night → lights on), geo-fencing, and notifications.
Smart Home Integration: Link with other Alarm.com devices, cameras, and services. Energy management (e.g., Smart Energy Optimizer for thermostats). Additional Features Direct Associations: Multi-tap scene control and device-to-device links (e.g., switch controls another light without cloud). Wi-Fi Device Support (on newer firmware, e.g., 4.3+): Some Wi-Fi lights/dimmers. Bluetooth: Limited to disarming and audio, not primary automation.
Multi-Channel & Advanced Z-Wave: Supports many modern devices with extra endpoints, parameters, and scene controllers (e.g., Zooz, Inovelli, Leviton). Recommended/Compatible Devices Hundreds work, especially popular Z-Wave Plus/800 series from: Lights: Qolsys IQ bulbs & switches, Leviton, GE/Jasco, Inovelli, Zooz. Locks: Yale, Schlage, Kwikset. Thermostats: Qolsys, ecobee (newer firmware), Honeywell, etc. Garage: Linear, Chamberlain/LiftMaster compatible. Many others via unofficial community lists (most function well even if not officially listed). For the absolute latest compatibility.
The panel excels at reliable, encrypted Z-Wave control combined with strong security.
