Title: Power 832 v2 user Author: Ron Webb Subject: PC5010 ver 2 user guide Keywords: Power 832, 832, PC5010, 5010, DSC Created Date: 7:39:41 PM. A DSC alarm system should run off of battery power for several hours during a power outage, but if you have a longer period of downtime, the batteries can be drained. When that happens, you will need to reset the sensors using the keypad on the control unit. View and Download DSC Power 832 installation manual online. Security system. Power 832 Security System pdf manual download. Also for: Pc5o15.

1. Dsc Power 832 User Manual
2. Dsc Power 832 Installation Manual
3. Dsc Power 832 Alarm User Manual Online
4. Dsc Power 832 Manual Pdf

Dsc Power 832 User Manual

Tips and Advice for Older Systems

The DSC 832 has been used for DIY alarm systems and professional installations for years. Its great features, ease of programming and reasonable price made it a favorite of many in the alarm business.

The DSC Power 832 security system is no longer in production, although systems are still available from several vendors. The panel will remain relevant for years to come, due to the sheer number that have been installed.

People often inherit a DSC 832 as part of an existing home security system when they buy a house. If you happen to be one of these people, the tips below can help you get the system up and running. With the alarm working, you may be able to avoid or postpone replacing the panel.

If your DSC system isn't in such good shape, I'll give you some thoughts on that at the bottom of this page.

Ready? Here we go!

Replacing the Alarm System Battery

Have you been awakened by your DSC alarm beeping in the middle of the night? If so, a bad battery is the most likely cause.

A dead or dying backup battery is the most common problem found with any security system, and the DSC Power 832 is no exception.

Replacing an alarm panel battery is an easy do-it-yourself task, even for a beginner. For detailed steps on how to do it, see this page on DIY Alarm System Battery Replacement.

Most DSC 832 alarm panels will have the 12-volt, 4 amp/hour (4 AH) size battery in place. This is the smaller of the two standard types used for alarm panels.

If you have to replace your battery, I advise getting the larger12-volt / 7 AH unit. It will give you more run-time than the smaller unit in case of a power outage. The DSC 832 enclosure should have plenty of room for the 7AH battery, unless other devices have been installed in it.

Be sure to observe polarity when connecting the new battery. The red, positive terminal connects to the red battery wire, and the black negative terminal goes to the black wire.

Expect to replace the battery in your DSC alarm panel about every 3-5 years or so. Of course, when the battery begins to fail, you’ll be alerted by a beeping DSC keypad. Magical powers in the universe cause this to happen only in the middle of the night, it seems…!

How to Default a DSC 832

If you’ve acquired a DSC Power 832 as part of a home purchase, you may not know the arm/disarm code. You’ll need a valid code to do almost anything with the system, so it’s worth a little effort to figure out what it is.

If the previous owner is known, they’re usually happy to give you a code. Realtors may also have a code to let them show the house.

Installers and homeowners sometimes write the code somewhere on the main panel. Check the outside of the main panel box, as well as inside the lid. If there is a DSC alarm manual or any other paperwork, look for a 4-digit code there.

Check the kitchen drawers for any alarm panel keys. Sometimes, a code is written on a key tag or scrap of paper with the key.
If the code can’t be found, a factory default can be performed. This will restore the panel programming to original values, including the installerand master codes.

WARNING:
A factory default will remove ALL current programming from the panel!
This will require re-programming all information for the zones, communicator, partitions, etc.
If you're not comfortable doing this, contact a local alarm company professional for help!

To Do a Hardware Default:

1. Disconnect AC power, either at the circuit board terminals or by unplugging the low-voltage transformer.
2. Remove one battery lead, doesn’t matter which one.
3. Remove all wiring from the “PGM1” and “Zone 1” terminals.
4. Use a piece of wire to connect the PGM1 and Zone 1 terminals together.
5. Re-connect AC power. (Battery power will NOT default the panel.)
6. Go to a keypad, and verify that the Zone 1 light is lit.
7. Remove AC power, and reconnect the original wiring.
8. Reconnect AC and battery power.
   

The default master code is 1234, and can now be used to arm and disarm the DSC Power 832 system. Get a copy of the programming manual to complete installer programming of the system, and enter the user codes you prefer.

You can find links to free DSC manuals on my alarm system manual sources page.

Checking for Open Zones on DSC 832 Keypads

DSC 832 systems with hardwire contacts can develop problems with doors and windows not “setting up”. This can be caused by sagging frames, loose fitting doors and windows, and missing magnets.

The first step is to find any problem openings and correct them. Close all the exterior doors and windows (as well as the interior garage door), then move to a keypad.

To check for open zones at a DSC Power 832 LED keypad like the PC5508, see if any zone lights are lit. If none are, all is well for the moment. If any are lit, note the zone numbers.

Open zones on a DSC 832 LCD keypad like the LCD5500 will be displayed as text. Just make a note of the zone description. If more than one zone is faulted, press the “<” or “>” keys to scroll through them.

Finding the Open Zones

If a zone list is available, you’ll be able to find the open zone(s) fairly easily.

Just go to each area shown as “open” on the DSC keypad. Look for loose, missing, or mis-aligned magnets and switches.

Also, see if any door or movable portion of a window is very loose in the frame. This can prevent the magnet and switch from lining up, causing an open zone and false alarms.

If there is nozone list, you’ll need to make one. Not to worry, it's really very easy! Here's what to do:

1. Have a trusty assistant open and close each door and window in the house, one by one, while you watch the keypad.
2. When opened, each door and movable window should show up as a zone light or LCD text display on the keypad.
3. Write down which zone light or description appears for each opening.
4. Follow the steps above to locate the problem areas.

You can download and print out a FREE copy of my Basic Alarm Zone List to use as a fill-in form to make this easier.

It has 28 lines for alarm zone information, including zone numbers, descriptions of protected areas, loop and serial numbers, and more.

Are you an alarm installer, and need a sheet to record system info for your customers?

Download a FREE copy of my Alarm Installation Record Sheet.

This has spaces to enter a homeowner or business name, address, phone numbers, and panel make and model details. The lower portion of the form is a shorter, 20-zone version of the Basic Alarm Zone List above.

Each of these PDF documents will print out as a single 8-1/2 x 11 page, and I created them both to work with any type of alarm panel - wireless, hardwired, or hybrid. Modify them as you like to suit your needs.

DSC 832 Options

Your DSC Power 832 should now have a battery in good shape, a fresh set of your own codes, and working door and window contacts.

This alone gives you a good, basic home security system.

The DSC 832 can be customized with zone expanders, enhanced alarm keypads, programming, and other options. Most of this also applies to the successor to the DSC 832, the DSC 1832.

Learn more from these pages:
The DSC Power 832
The DSC Power 1832

My DSC Home Alarm is Beeping! - Causes and Solutions

Hardwired Home Security Systems
DIY Home Security Systems

What if your DSC 832 isn't in very good condition?

Depending on what kind of 'wear and tear' your system has been through, consider these points:

• Most newer DSC keypads are backwards-compatible with older models of panel, so you can probably find a replacement for a worn-out keypad. Depending on the age and condition of the rest of the system, this could be a good option
  

• A new system can easily be had these days for as little as $99, or even free in some cases, provided you go with monitoring. This makes spending money on a very old or worn-out system much less cost effective than it used to be

• If you own a smartphone or other web-enabled device, consider how handy it would be to use it to remotely arm and disarm your system. Many newer systems are designed to be smartphone-compatible from the ground up. If you happen to have (or plan to have) cameras, many systems allow remote live viewing and playback on smart devices

Even after all your efforts, you may decide that your system is beyond reasonable repair. If this happens, find out what a new system would cost by getting a few Free Home Security Systems Quotes from companies in your area.
These quotes can help you decide whether to pull the plug on the old system, install a new system yourself, or step aside and let a professional security company do the work.

Return to DSC Security Systems from DSC 832

Expandable and Flexible

The DSC Power 832, also known as Model PC5010 has been one of the most popular DSC security products for years. It is inexpensive, feature-packed, and versatile, which has made it a popular choice for DIY alarm systems.

It’s also the system I chose for my own home, and I’ll tell you why in a minute.

The Power 832 has been discontinued, although they are still available through some outlets. Existing 832 home security systems in good condition will also be in operation for years to come.

If you have one in your home now, or if you 'inherit' one in the future, this page will help you get acquainted with the system.

You may also want to check out these pages:

You can find links to free DSC manuals on my alarm system manual sources page.

If you’re planning a new installation, read on. You’ll see why this DSC panel is so popular, and how its replacement may be the system you’re looking for!

The DSC 832 can use several alarm keypads. LED (Light Emitting Diode) keypad models include:

• PC5508(Z) 8-LED zone lights
• PC5516(Z) 16-LED zone lights
• PC5532(Z) 32-LED zone lights

The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) keypad is the model LCD5500(Z), and uses alphanumeric text and numbers to display information. All keypads operate in virtually the same way.

The 832 system can support up to a total of 8 keypads in any combination.

DSC Power 832 Basic Features

The basic DSC 832 panel has 8 on-board zones for burglary devices, plus a dedicated fire zone via the PGM terminals.

The burglary zones are individually programmable for many different responses, so zones can be customized to match many applications. Burglar zones can be added using up to (3) 5108 zone expander modules, each of which adds 8 zones to the basic system. This gives the PC 5010 a maximum capacity of 32 burglary zones, hardwired or wireless.

The fire zone is optimized for 2-wire smoke detectors using the PGM2 terminal. The connections are compatible with several different 2-wire smoke alarm models, and provide both switched power and alarm functions on the same two terminals.

Using one of the two PGM Outputs allows the DSC 832 to work with 4-wire smoke detectors. The PGM out provides switched power for resetting the 4-wire smokes, while one of the standard zone inputs is programmed for the fire alarm function.

The two PGM outputs can be programmed for many other functions, including relay activation, system status outputs, etc.

Status outputs like system trouble and armed condition are automatically issued by the panel.

The user can initiate relay outputs through button presses at a system keypad. In addition, relays can be activated remotely with the addition of an Escort module (see below).

Why Did I Choose the DSC Power 832?

At the time I installed a DSC Power 832 in my own home, I had my choice of any panel on the market. After many years in the alarm business, I had seen many panels come and go, while others remained popular.

My first requirement was for a system that is keypad programmable. This rules out most of the Radionics line, which require a separate handheld programmer.

Secondly, I wanted Alpha display keypads with customizable text. These were available with several brands of alarm, including Ademco home security systems, and I wouldn’t have gone wrong choosing one of them.

My third major requirement was the easiest to get, since it’s virtually the standard in the industry: Zone expandability. The 4-bedroom, 2-bath house my wife and I live in has four doors and about a dozen movable windows. I wanted each opening on its own zone, which the DSC 832 can support by adding a single 8-zone expansion module.

Finally, I had recently helped a customer learn to operate their DSC 832 system with the Escort 5580TC module installed. This device connects to the Power 832 alarm, and gives you remote access to your system via telephone.

Dsc Power 832 Installation Manual

I’m a “gadget guy”, and I liked the idea of being able to call my home, check the status of the system, arm and disarm it, etc.

In the end, I settled on the DSC Power 832, adding a zone expander and an Escort module. I programmed the system for remote access, and connected the panel to control my garage overhead door. Now, I never have to wonder if I forgot to close the garage door; I can just call the panel from anywhere, check the door’s status, and press a few buttons to close it.

The DSC Power 832 security system has given us flawless service for over 15 years. The only work I’ve done on it is a routine battery change every couple of years or so.

The Next Generation:
The DSC Power 1832

If you’re planning a new DIY alarm system, or are having one professionally installed, you may want to consider the DSC Power 1832. It can readily fill the niche left by the discontinued Power 832, and the programming and operation are very similar.

The DSC Power 1832 does everything the 832 could do, along with having 4 partitions (the 832 only has 2 partitions) and other new features.

Dsc Power 832 Alarm User Manual Online

See pricing and features of the DSC 1832 security system at Amazon.com.

Conclusion

If you find yourself the new owner of a previously installed DSC Power 832 system in good condition, consider yourself lucky. If it has the features you want in an alarm system, it will likely serve you well for years to come.

If your system is not in the best condition, here are some things to think about:

• If you don't know the installer code and have a programming manual, you won't be able to program the higher functions of the panel, like the zone types, dialer, account information, etc.
  

Dsc Power 832 Manual Pdf

• Most newer DSC keypads are backwards-compatible with older models of panel, so you can probably find a replacement for a worn-out keypad. Depending on the age and condition of your Power 832 system, this could be a good option

• A new system can easily be had these days for as little as $99, or even free in some cases, provided you go with monitoring. This makes spending money on a very old or worn-out system much less cost effective than it used to be

• If you own a smartphone or other web-enabled device, consider how handy it would be to use it to remotely arm and disarm your system. Many newer systems are designed to be smartphone-compatible from the ground up. If you happen to have (or plan to have) cameras, many systems allow remote live viewing and playback on smart devices

A new system purchased through a home alarm company will likely include the security equipment they like and are most familiar with. With its flexibility and features, don’t be surprised if they recommend a DSC system!

Related Articles:

DSC 832 Tips and Advice for Older Systems
DSC Power 1832

Do you have an older system that's starting to have problems?
Or, do you have a working system, but no programming information?
Why not get a few Free Home Security Systems Quotes from companies in your area?

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