Value for money is the top requirement of most consumers in any investment they make. And it is no different in finding the best home security system that they can easily install themselves. As a smart consumer, you want superior capabilities for your home security system without breaking the bank. You also want a device that is uncompromising in providing security for your property and family, easy to use, and saves you time to set up. Best value, performance, and convenience—the DSC PowerSeries NEO offers you complete security solutions for all these consumer demands.
The DSC PowerSeries NEO is a groundbreaking security hybrid system that combines the best of both traditional and modern technological systems. Its popularity among consumers is largely due to it being a superior, versatile system that can easily accommodate wireless monitoring and control via cellular gadgets and other devices. Because it allows wireless connectivity, the DSC PowerSeries NEO can be integrated into your home without disturbing its existing layout or design. The DSC PowerSeries NEO is also compatible with Alarm.com with the appropriate cellular communicator to give you complete access and control of your alarm on the go.
You say you’re not a techie? The DSC PowerSeries NEO is an ideal self-install alarm system because of its minimum wiring requirements and time-saving installation process. Plus, it’s easy to set up for small spaces and even the most challenging areas. So brush your worries away. Here’s a DIY step-by-step guide to help you install the system on your own.
Step 1. Establish a Layout
Even before getting the DSC PowerSeries NEO kit, you may already have a rough layout in mind as to where to mount the control panel and the devices. It’s best to review your layout before implementing it. To help you establish your final layout, it is essential you read the DSC PowerSeries installation manual included in the package. The manual will help you understand safety precautions and the suitable location for your control panel and zones, provide a general picture of the installation process, and inform you about label descriptions and compatibility.
Step 2. Prepare your device and tools
After establishing the best layout specific to your space, prepare the device and the tools that you will need for the installation. For this DIY home security project, you will need the following - Marker pens - Electric drill-driver - Screwdriver - Level - Optional: Working gloves and safety glasses The two basic parts of the control panel are the alarm controller and the metal enclosure. As you know, the DSC PowerSeries NEO line has four panel options that range in zone capacity from 16-128, 47-94 users codes, and event log storage from 500-1000 events. All these options are hybrid ready, which means you can combine the hardwired mechanism with the comprehensive lineup of new PowerG wireless devices that will connect using a transceiver. The transceiver can be added as either a standalone module or built into a keypad.
Step 3. Mark the Holes to Mount the Panel
Using your marker pens, clearly trace the control panel holes on the wall. Note that the holes of your control panel are pre-determined. The side holes are for the screws, while the middle hole is for the wire pass for your chosen zones. It is important that the holes and the size of the control panel itself fit the wall space to which the system will be mounted.
Step 4. Drill the Holes on Your Wall
The electric drill is your best time-saving tool for this step. You may also consider putting on safety glasses and working gloves for added protection.
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Step 5. Mount Your Control Panel
Your control panel can now be securely mounted with screws using your electric drill-driver. Use the level to make sure your control panel is not lopsided.
Step 6. Mount Other Devices
The control panel is the basic component of the system. While a great option for small home installation, you can easily expand zone capacity and include wireless capability for larger home and office settings. Wireless additions include devices such as motion detectors, door/window contact, keypad, and communicator.
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Step 7. Prepare Your Zones
After mounting your control panel, it’s now time to prepare your contact zone. Tip: A manual screwdriver, instead of an electric one, is a much easier tool to use at this point as it will allow you to better maneuver the contact point. Your chosen zone can be linked to your control panel either by hardwire or hybrid/wireless connection. To illustrate, let us say that the first zone you’re preparing is your bedroom window. For hardwire connection, attach the contact on your bedroom window frame. Attach the magnet next to the contact on the window. Unscrew your contact’s wire terminals and insert the wire that will connect back to your control panel.
Finally, fasten the wire terminals and the connecting wire using the manual screw driver. For hybrid/wireless connection, simply mount your wireless device to your chosen zone. Wireless devices include PowerG-enabled motion detectors, contacts, wireless keys and other life-safety devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember, you must connect these devices via a transceiver add-on module.
Step 8. Connect Your Zones to Your Control Panel
Connect the zone to your control panel by matching the color of the wires and their designated entry points in the alarm controller. You can easily do this by referring to the DSC PowerSeries NEO installation manual, which tells you which color to plug in the terminal slot. From the contact zone, connect the yellow wire to the Z1 slot (stands for Zone 1) in the control panel. Then, connect the green wire to the COM slot in the control panel. Note that each COM slot can take two zones. Repeat the procedure if you’re connecting more zones. If you have any devices like sirens, these also correspond to terminals in your control panel. For example, the bell terminals are for your siren connection.
Step 9. Connect Power Source to Your Control Panel
The AC terminals of your control panel is where your transformer will land. Ensure that your AC power is disconnected prior to servicing. Also, make sure that when connecting the wire from your power source to the AC terminal, no strand of the black wire and the red wire is touching each other as this will cause a short and damage your transformer.
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Step 10. Complete All Wirings
If you are adding devices to customize your alarm system, complete wiring them to your control panel by applying the principles of steps 6 and 7. Additional wiring connections include bells or sirens, telephone line, ground connections, and other devices for your specific alarm system. For clear guidelines on connecting your other devices to your control panel, refer to the DSC PowerSeries NEO installation manual.
Step 11. Power Up Your Alarm System
After completing all the wirings for your zones, devices, and control panel, you can now power up your system. Note that at this point, your system will not power up if it is only attached to the battery. Also, make sure that you do not power up your system until all necessary wirings are complete.
Step 12. After Installation, Program Your Devices
Congratulations! Your alarm system is now installed. If you have mounted other devices on top of the basic system, the next step after installing them is programming. Buying your DSC PowerSeries NEO from the Alarm System Store is a great idea because they offer pre-programming services before shipping it to you. Both basic and savvy users have numerous programming options depending on security preferences. For example, you can program siren labels for your system or you can also explore DLS programming to customize the system using your computer.
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The DSC Power Series NEO is a cut above the rest because it is effective, affordable, versatile and easy to use. More than saving you time, a DIY home security alarm system also saves you a lot of money. After successfully installing your system, you should feel more confident to further explore and expand the control of your home security system. You’ll find that the user-friendly features and applications of the complete DSC PowerSeries NEO lineup from the Alarm System Store will be welcome additions to reinforcing your home security system.
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