Adding a 2-Wire Smoke to the Qolsys Hardwire 16-F

In this video, Joe shows users the process for adding a 2-wire smoke detector to the Qolsys Hardwire 16-F. The Hardwire 16-F is one of the few wired to wireless modules that supports 2-wire smoke detectors. However, there are many rules that must be followed when using 2-wire smokes sensors with it.

The Qolsys Hardwire 16-F is a wired to wireless converter. This device will let you take hardwired sensors and use when with a compatible 319.5 MHz alarm system. This includes the 319.5 MHz version of the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. This is great if you have an existing hardwired system and you want to replace it with a newer wireless system. By using this converter module, you can save hundreds of dollars by not having to replace your existing sensors. Every hardwired sensor used with this module will be seen by the panel as a wireless sensor and assigned to a wireless zone.

The thing about wired to wireless converter modules is that they often have restrictions on life-safety sensors. In fact, many wired to wireless converter modules will not let you use life-safety sensors at all. The Qolsys Hardwired 16-F is unique because it lets you use 2-wire smoke detectors. The thing about 2-wire smoke detectors is that they can only be used with devices that support an automatic reset function so that they stop sounding when an alarm is cleared.

In order to use 2-wire smoke detectors with a Hardwired 16-F, there are some guidelines you must follow. For one, you will need to wire the 2-wire smoke detector(s) at Zone 16. This zone is specifically designed for Normally Open (NO) sensors like 2-wire smokes. Not only that, but you must wire the smoke detector(s) to Zone 16 before you enroll the Hardwire 16-F with the panel. This lets the device know how the zone will be used. You actually need to do this for every zone used with the module. Wire first, then enroll.

Each zone, whether it is used with the system or not, requires a 4.7k ohm resistor. Remember that Normally Open sensors like 2-wire smoke detector are wired in Parallel. Normally Closed (NC) sensors use Series wiring. Most intrusion sensors are NC, but there are some Form C sensors that can use NC or NO wiring. In either case, you want to wire the sensor to the Hardwire 16-F before you go to enroll the module with the panel. Otherwise the module will not know how to treat the zone. You must then add each sensor individually to a wireless zone on the system.

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