Product summary and technical specifications

The Image Sensor is a pet immune PIR (passive infrared) motion detector with a built-in camera designed to capture images during alarm or non-alarm events when motion is detected.

Product features: 

• Communicates wirelessly to the security control panel
• 35 foot detection range with a 90 degree horizontal FOV
• Configurable PIR sensitivity and pet immunity settings
• Image: VGA 640x480 pixels
• Color Images (except in night vision)
• Night vision image capture with infrared flash (black & white)
• Tamper detection, walk test mode, supervision
• All systems can support up to three Image Sensors
• UL 639 certified

Technical specifications: 

• Alarm.com Model Number: ADC-IS-300-LP
• Power Source: Recommended 2 AA 1.5v Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries.
• Batteries: Refer to the Batteries section for details
• Operating Temperature Range: 60° to 80°F
• Weight: 3.1 oz. (with batteries and without mounting accessories)
• Dimensions: 3.1’’ h x 1.8’’ w  x 2.3’’ d
• Supervisory Interval: 100 minutes (sensor), 3 hours (alarm hardwire)
• Wireless Signal Range: Greater than 400 ft open air
• Color: White
• Recommended Mounting Height and Angle: Refer to the Recommended Install Height and Angle Table
• Motion Profiles & Sensor Range: Refer to the PIR Sensitivity Settings Table

Hardware compatibility

The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 must have the Image Sensor daughtercard installed to function with the Image Sensor. Please verify that this hardware is installed in the panel.

Important: Not all IQ Panel 2s are shipped with the Image Sensor daughtercard installed. If an IQ Panel 2 is not shipped with the Image Sensor daughtercard/daughterboard installed, a request must be made directly to Qolsys to get one added.

Other feature compatibility 

Two-Way Voice Compatibility

Images cannot be transmitted while a Two-Way Voice call is in session. When the Image Sensor is installed on a system with Two-Way Voice over the cellular network, image transmission during an alarm may be interrupted by the two-way session. The image trans­mission re­sumes once the call has terminated.

Z-Wave Compatibility

All IQ Panels are compatible with both the Image Sensor and Z-Wave devices.

Pet immunity settings

Two parts to making the Image Sensor pet immune:

1. Set PIR sensitivity settings to Low. 
2. Mount set at a height of 6 feet, and install the sensor with the 6 degree mounting angle.

Batteries

Battery type	The Image Sensor uses 2 AA 1.5v Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries (UL compliant).
Expected battery life	Approximately 4 years with lithium batteries.
Voltage thresholds	With lithium batteries, low battery alerts are issued at 3.05V. The sensor cannot operate when the voltage reads below 2.30V.
Low battery notification	Panel displays a low battery alert for the sensor and/or notifications are issued via the Alarm.com platform if the customer has subscribed to this notification type.
Replacing batteries	To replace the sensor batteries, slide the front of the sensor up off the sensor-back. Dispose of used batteries per the battery manufacturer instructions and following local regulations.

​ Image Sensor LED reference chart

​ Resetting the Image Sensor

There are two ways to reset the Image Sensor. 

Power cycle

If you have issues connecting the Image Sensor to the account, power cycle the Image Sensor in one of two ways:

• Take out and reinsert the batteries, or
• Use a paperclip to quickly press and release the Sensor Reset button. Only press the reset button if the LED has been off for at least 10 seconds and the panel is not in Add mode.

After a successful power cycle, the Image Sensor will enter the Sensor Power Up state (Blinking Red) followed by the memory check state.

Network reset

An Image Sensor must be network reset when it has been previously enrolled on a different panel. The Image Sensor indicates that it is enrolled on a panel by blinking green after the memory check.

Important: A network reset only works if the Image Sensor is not actively communicating with a network. If the Image Sensor is within range of the original panel, it is required that the Image Sensor first be deleted from the panel it was previously learned into before being able to perform a network reset on the Image Sensor. See instructions on how to properly delete the Image Sensor from the panel.

To perform a network reset:

1. Power up the Image Sensor. 
2. Press and hold the reset button down with a narrow tool (such as a paperclip) for a full 10 seconds or until the red LED flashes rapidly.
3. Release the reset button as soon as the red LED starts flashing rapidly. A successful network reset results in the LED blinking yellow after the memory check. Panel association is now cleared from the Image Sensor's memory and it should be available for enrollment.

After releasing the reset button, the Image Sensor enters sensor power-up mode (blinking red LED) followed by memory check (solid red LED) followed by either a blinking green or blinking yellow light. For the full list of status indicators and expected behaviors, see the Camera LED reference chart.

PIR activation and test mode

By default, the image sensor LED does not illuminate when activated by motion unless the sensor is in test mode. The LED can be enabled by tampering the device or on the panel for each Image Sensor on a customer’s account. The Image Sensor must have successfully completed the enrollment process with a panel. When enabled, the red LED illuminates for 3 seconds upon motion activations (at most every 3 minutes while disarmed).

To enter the 3 minute test mode on an IQ Panel 2:

1. Tap Settings. 
2. Tap Advanced Settings. 
3. Enter the installer code. 
4. Tap System Tests. 
5. Tap Image Sensor Config. 
6. Tap View for the Image Sensor to test. 
7. Tap Sensor Tests. 
8. Tap Start PIR Test. The screen displays a confirmation to indicate the test mode command has been sent. 

Note: It may take up to 30 seconds for test mode to take effect after requesting the PIR test at the panel.

Tamper and trouble conditions 

Tamper

A built-in accelerometer detects movement or repositioning of the Image Sensor and initiates a tamper whenever a change in sensor orientation is detected. The tamper automatically clears after the sensor is returned to the upright position and no movement has been detected for five minutes. A tamper can also be cleared by resetting the sensor.

Trouble conditions

By default, trouble conditions (malfunction, tamper & low battery) are displayed on the panel LCD. Enable or disable trouble condition messages on the control panel LCD via the Alarm.com Partner Portal. Trouble conditions are always reported to the Alarm.com Customer Website and customers receive tamper/low/malfunction notifications if they are subscribed, regardless of the panel setting.

Service package requirement

Image capture features require a service package that includes one of the following Image Sensor add-ons:

• Images - Alarms: Includes upload of images from panel alarm events only.
• Images - Limited: Includes uploads of images from panel alarm events and disarm events. 
• Images - Plus: Includes upload of images from panel alarm events, disarm events, and non-alarm events. 

For additional information about Image Sensor add-ons, see What do the Image Sensor service packages include?. 

Installation: Preparing panel for enrollment

Create Alarm.com customer account 

Select service package (including an Images add-on) and register the Alarm.com module serial number on the Partner Portal.

Verify an Image Sensor IQ Card is installed

It is required for the Image Sensor IQ Card to be installed for a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 to support Alarm.com Image Sensors. For information about installing the Image Sensor IQ Card, see Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Image Sensor IQ Card Installation.

To verify if the panel has an Image Sensor IQ Card, run the Daughter Card Test: 

1. Go to the home screen.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Advanced Settings.
4. Enter the installer code.
5. Tap System Tests.
6. Tap Daughter Card Test.
7. Next to Image Sensor tap Run. The test can take up to a minute before giving the test result.

Register module and test

Power up the panel and initiate a communication test to ensure the Alarm.com module is properly installed and communicating with Alarm.com.

Installation: Enrolling Image Sensor to panel 

Image Sensors can be enrolled remotely using the Partner Portal or MobileTech app, or locally using the panel. For information about enrolling Image Sensors remotely, see Enroll an Image Sensor on a Qolsys IQ Panel 2. 

To enroll the Image Sensor locally on a Qolsys IQ Panel 2: 

1. Before enrolling any Image Sensors, run a daughter card test. For information about running a daughtercard test, see Verify an Image Sensor IQ Card is installed. 
2. Begin with the batteries removed from the sensor.
3. On the panel, swipe down in the top middle of the screen to open the control panel.
   1. Tap Settings.
   2. Tap Advanced Settings.
   3.  Enter the installer code. 
   4. Tap Installation.
   5. Tap Devices.
   6. Tap Security Sensors.
   7. Tap Auto Learn Sensor.
4. Once on the Auto Learn page, insert the batteries into the sensor. The Image Sensor progresses from blinking red to solid red to blinking yellow. This indicates that the Image Sensor is in learn mode.
5. Wait approximately 20 seconds for the Image Sensor to enroll to the panel. The screen on the control panel displays the following: Image Sensor [X] is requesting to be added in your list. Do you want to continue?  Tap OK. The LED on the Image Sensor turns solid yellow indicating that it has successfully found the panel.
6. On the panel screen, select the sensor type, sensor name, chime type, sensor group, and voice prompt settings.
   • The following are the default settings for each: 
     • Sensor Type ~ Image Sensors
     • Sensor Name ~ Image Sensor
       
       Important: Make sure the Image Sensor name is unique to that Image Sensor. The Image Sensor cannot enroll successfully if the new Image Sensor has the same name as an Image Sensor that is already enrolled on the panel.
        
     • Chime Type ~ None
     • Sensor Group ~ 17-IS-Away-Instant Motion
     • Voice Prompts ~ Off
7. Once complete, tap Add New.
8. Exit Auto-Learn mode on the panel. The Image Sensor LED alternates between green and yellow while the customer’s device list is updated with Alarm.com. The LED turns solid green when the Image Sensor has been successfully added to the customer’s account.
   
   Note: If you move (tamper) the Image Sensor after the LED has turned solid green, the Image Sensor enters test mode for 3 minutes indicated by red LED when motion is detected. You may continue with the mounting portion of the installation when in test mode. See the Image Sensor LED Reference Chart for more details.
    
9. After enrollment, be sure to keep the sensor and panel powered so the sensor can complete an initialization process with the Alarm.com Network Operations Center. This process takes several minutes. Images cannot be captured until initialization is complete. Check by verifying if the rules are confirmed on the Partner Portal or MobileTech.
10. The sensor is now learned into the panel. Sensors are enrolled in group 17 by default. Image Sensors may be enrolled in groups 15, 17, 20, 25 or 35.
    • To change the sensor group after the sensor is enrolled using the control panel:
      1. Tap Settings.
      2. Tap Advanced Settings. 
      3. Enter the installer code. 
      4. Tap Installation.
      5. Tap Devices. 
      6. Tap Security Sensors.
      7. Tap Edit Sensors. 
      8. Tap to select the Image Sensor to configure.
      9. Using the Sensor Group dropdown menu, select the desired group.     

Installation: Mounting Image Sensor 

1. Choose the desired location and mounting angle for the Image Sensor using the information in the chart. There are three options: 
    

   Intended Operation	Pet Immunity	Larger Rooms	Smaller Rooms
   Mounting Height	6 Feet	8 Feet	8 Feet
   Angle	Shallow, 6°	Shallow, 6°	Deep, 18°
   Bracket Orientation	Teeth Up	Teeth Up	Teeth Down
   Coverage Distance	30 to 35 ft.	30 to 35 ft.	15 to 20 ft.

2. Screw the bracket to the backplate of the Image Sensor.
   
3. Determine the location to mount the sensor. 
   • Best practices for installing Image Sensors: Do's and Don'ts 
      

     Do

     Don't

     Center the target capture area in the middle of the frame. Enroll and install within 100 ft. of panel. Installation site conditions can reduce range considerably. Make sure people will walk across the sensor coverage area instead of directly toward the sensor. Avoid backlit conditions (for example, facing a window or other light source) because it may result in poor image quality.

     Set sensor on a flat surface. Set sensor across from mirrors or reflective surfaces. Face sensor toward or close to areas that have metallic objects or electronics (to avoid interference with RF communication). Install in an area where there are obstructions in front of or around the camera lens (for example, walls and ceilings within 90 degrees and 2 ft. around the camera). This type of installation will result in washed out night captures. Install outdoors. Sensor is for indoor use only.

4. Choose applicable mounting bracket. The sensor hard­ware packet contains two mounting brackets for different mounting scenarios. Use the provided large screws and anchors to attach the bracket to the wall. Leave at least 3 inches of clearance above the sensor to allow for battery replacement without uninstalling the mounting bracket.
   
5. Place and secure the Image Sensor on the arm and secure the arm on the mounting bracket in the desired location. Adjust the horizontal positioning of the sensor to point towards the desired coverage area.
6. Secure the mounting arm location by sliding lock pin into the hole. Use the washer and remaining small screw to secure the lock pin by screwing upwards through the bottom of the hole in the mounting bracket.
   
7. Set the PIR Sensitivity Settings using the panel or remotely using the Partner Portal or MobileTech. For information about setting the PIR Sensitivity Settings, see Change Image Sensor sensitivity. 
   
   The following three options can be set: 

   Normal	Default setting
   High	More sensitive motion profile with potential higher risk of false alarm.
   Low	Less sensitive profile with pet immunity for pets up to 40 lbs.

Verify and test Image Sensor setup

1. Verify that rules are confirmed via the Partner Portal or on MobileTech. 
   • Look for the word Yes in the Image Sensor Equipment List in the Rules Confirmed section. Resend rules if they are not confirmed.
2. Verify RF Coverage by checking that the signal strength is above 40%. The signal strength must be greater than 30% for sensor to function properly.
3. Conduct a walk test and test image captures.
   • To conserve the customer’s monthly image upload quota, automatic alarm uploads are disabled for the first four hours after any new sensor (Image Sensor or other) is installed into the system. Installers can also test by requesting image uploads and motion image uploads via MobileTech. Installers are required to be onsite to test by running a comm test at the panel.
4. Test night image captures by darkening the room as much as possible (turn off the lights and close the shades).

Deleting Image Sensor from panel

Instructions on how to properly delete and Image Sensor from a system. It is important to do the steps in order.

1. Delete the Image Sensor from the account using the panel’s Interactive Services, Partner Portal, or MobileTech.
2. Perform a network reset of the Image Sensor. This can only be completed after the Image Sensor is deleted from the account, or if the Image Sensor is out of range of its current network.

PIR lens and camera coverage diagrams

Figure 3. Side View: PIR Lens Coverage

Figure 4. Top View: PIR Lens Coverage

As indicated in Figure 4, the camera coverage area is narrower than the PIR coverage area. When installing, mount sensor where subjects are likely to be centered in or across PIR and camera field of view.

Troubleshooting

General troubleshooting steps

• Verify module signal strength
• Verify Image Sensor RF signal strength: The signal strength must be above 30% for the sensor to function properly.
• Verify Images service package: Image capture functionality depends on the cus­tomer’s service package. Verify the proper Image Sensor service package is selected.

Enrollment 

• Verify sensor is receiving power: After inserting batteries, the sensor LED should illuminate or flash within 10 seconds.
• Verify sensor is not communicating with another network: If the sensor has been previously enrolled in a different system or daughterboard, delete the sensor from the system and hold the sensor reset button for 10 seconds to clear the sensor from the old network before attempting to enroll the sensor in a new network. The sensor cannot be cleared if it is currently communicating with its network. In this case, the sensor must be deleted from the system first through the control panel or remote command.

Sensor non-responsive 

• Verify range: Verify in the panel's Image Sensor menu that the sensor is registering a strong signal. If the signal strength is low, move the non-responsive sensor closer to the control panel, verify signal strength, and see if communication resumes. If applicable, verify the Image Sensor daughterboard antenna is correctly routed as described in the installation pro­cedure.
• Replace batteries: Check the battery level in the panel's Image Sensor menu, and install fresh Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries if needed. 

Images not captured

• Verify sensor rules: Verify the Image Sensor initialization process has been com­pleted. Verify rules have been confirmed in the Rules Confirmed column on the Partner Portal or MobileTech app. If not, resend Image Sensor rules. For more information about resending rules, see Image Sensor Rules Not Confirmed. 
• Enable auto uploads: During the first four hours after any sensor is enrolled onto the system, alarm images will not automatically be uploaded to Alarm.com. Automatic up­loads are automatically enabled after four hours. For more information about enabling uploads sooner, see Configure automatic Image Sensor uploads. 

False motion activations

• Check Environmental Elements: Heating or cooling elements may adversely affect sensor performance. Test sensor with and without these elements to determine inter­ference. Check if there are any reflective surfaces facing the device (e.g., mirror).
• Check Sensor Positioning: The sensor may not be properly positioned to capture the desired motion. Check horizontal positioning of sensor and re-mount as necessary.
• Check PIR Sensitivity Setting: Verify that the proper sensor motion profile has been selected through the setup menu or select a less sensitive profile.