Alarmcom Flex IO User manual

Flex O - Pull-Apart nstallation Guide
n addition to the standard contact functionality, the Flex O can be integrated with third-party devices using the built-in
loop input. This guide covers the basics of setting up and mounting your Flex O with a compatible pull-apart sensor.
Important: The Flex O is a monitoring device that is not intended for life safety use cases. For more information about
use cases, see Flex O - Use Cases.
Equipment
In the box:
• Flex O
• Magnet
• 4x AA 1.5V lithium batteries
• 300 kΩ resistor (optional)
Recommended tools and supplies (not included):
• Compatible pull-apart sensor (See Which pull-apart sensors are recommended for the Flex O?)
• 18-22 AWG wire
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Zip ties (if used for mounting; up to 3 recommended: 2 for Flex O and 1 for magnet)
• #8 Phillips screws (if used for mounting; 4x)
• Paper clip (to press Flex O diagnostic button; see Cellular signal strength)
• ADC-FLEX-100-WRC Wire Retention Clip (optional)
Step 1: Determine location
Before installing your device, it is important to consider the following:
• Mounting options
• Loop nput wiring
• Cellular signal strength
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Mounting options
Consider the following mounting requirements. For diagrams and more information, see Step 4: Mount the Flex O.
• Using screws: Holes are located in the battery compartment.
• Using zip ties: Use cutouts at the top and bottom of the device to make sure Flex O is mounted flush to the
installation surface.
Important: A mounting tamper is located on the back of the Flex O. This tamper button must be fully pressed (until you
hear a clicking sound) to avoid reporting a mounting tamper malfunction.
f not applicable for your installation, tampers can be disabled by updating device settings on the Partner Portal or
MobileTech.
Cellular signal strength
Prior to mounting, check the cellular signal strength using the following steps.
1. Using a screwdriver, remove the battery door and temporarily insert batteries. Leave the battery cover off.
2. Hold the Flex O in the desired installation location.
3. Using a paper clip, push the diagnostic button for 5 seconds, then release. The device LED should now be active.
◦ Tip: Don't have a paper clip? You can use the optional resistor included in the box.
Once diagnostic mode is initiated, the LED will display the cell signal strength in a continuous loop for 2 minutes based
on the patterns below. t may take up to 30 seconds for the signal strength to be acquired.
As you move the device, any changes in signal strength will be displayed by updates to the LED pattern. Alarm.com
recommends a signal strength of 2 bars or greater.
Signal strength LED pattern LED visual
Signal strength pending Solid red
0 bars Single red LED blink every 8
seconds
1 bar 1 red LED blink, followed by 1yellow
LED blink
2 bars 1 red LED blink, followed by 2yellow
LED blinks
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Signal strength LED pattern LED visual
3 bars 1 red LED blink, followed by 3yellow
LED blinks
4 bars 1 red LED blink, followed by 4yellow
LED blinks
5 bars 1 red LED blink, followed by 5yellow
LED blinks
6 bars 1 red LED blink, followed by 6yellow
LED blinks
Step 2: Add the Flex IO to an Account
1. Log into the Partner Portal or MobileTech app.
2. Find the customer account.
3. n Cellular Sensors, verify at least one Flex O has
been added to their service package.
4. Click Equipment.
5. Click Cellular Sensors.
6. Click Add a Cellular Sensor.
7. Enter the Device ME number and follow the on-
screen instructions to set up the device.
8. When prompted with How will this Flex be used?,
select Pull-Apart Sensor.
Note: Want to add Flex O to an account without a
Security System? Use the Partner Portal or MobileTech
to Create New Customer. For the Account Type,
select Standalone (Video, Access Control, and/or
Cellular Sensor).
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Step 3: Pull Apart Sensor Install
Access Screw Terminals
Remove the weatherproof gasket at the bottom of the
Flex O to access the screw terminals.
Identify Necessary Screw Terminals
• L-L: Both pins of the input loop
• C: Common pin for relay control
• R: Relay (NO or NC) control pin
• G: Ground
• V+: DC Power
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Puncture Weatherproof Gasket
Puncture the corresponding holes in the terminal
waterproofing gasket for the input loop. You can use a
screwdriver, a paper clip, or anything else handy.
Thread Wires through Weatherproof Gasket
Thread wires through the newly created holes (from the
outside-facing side of the gasket inward) before securing
them to the terminal block.
This allows you to maintain the Flex O's weatherproof
seal.
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Secure Wires to Screw Terminal
Remove the battery door and use a Phillips head
screwdriver to secure the wires to the terminal block.
Replace Weatherproof Gasket
Replace the weatherproof gasket once you have
successfully completed the wiring.
Optional: Attach Optional Wire Retention Add-On
Ensure that the wired device performs as expected and that the waterproof gasket is inserted correctly. Attach the wire
retention add-on by first clipping the front two sides and then pushing the clip in place. Secure on the back side of the
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Flex O unit with the provided screw. Create a service loop with the installed wires and secure with a zip tie.
Step 4: Mount the Flex IO
The Flex O can be mounted using either screws or zip ties.
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Using screws
• Screw mounting holes are located in the battery
compartment. To avoid damaging the batteries, it is
recommended to remove them before installing
screws.
• Use two #8 Phillips screws to puncture the gasket
and securely mount the Flex O.
• Take care not to over-torque the screws. Power
tools should be avoided. f pilot holes are
necessary, a drill bit size of 5/64’’ is recommended.
Using zip ties
• Zip ties should have a maximum width of 0.34
inches. UV resistant zip ties are recommended.
• Use the zip tie grooves at the top and bottom of the
Flex O to ensure a secure installation. The magnet
also has a zip tie groove across the center.
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Mounting tamper
A mounting tamper is located on the back of the Flex O.
This tamper button must be fully pressed (until you hear
a clicking sound) to avoid reporting a mounting tamper
malfunction, as indicated by an alternating single
Red and Yellow LED pattern.
Important: An active mounting tamper will drain the
battery.
f not applicable for your installation, tampers can be
disabled by updating device settings on the Partner
Portal or MobileTech. Disabled tampers will not drain the
battery.
Mount Loop Input
Follow instructions on the Loop package for the Loop nput mounting process.
Step 5: Insert the Batteries
Lithium batteries are required for this device. Under
normal conditions, battery life is expected to be 2 years.
Any 1.5 V lithium battery should work. Alkaline batteries
or any battery greater than 1.5 V (for example, the Saft
3.6 V) should not be used.
nstall the included batteries, close the battery
compartment door, and tighten the screw securely.
Important: Make sure the battery door screw is securely
tightened to clear the battery door tamper. This will also
ensure a waterproof seal.
f this screw is not fully tightened, the LED will show a
single red blink every 2 seconds. Be careful to not over-
torque the screw. Power tools should be avoided.
Step 6: Confirm Communication
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Confirm Device Communication
Activate the pull-apart sensor. The LED should blink yellow twice when the device is tripped. This will prompt the Flex O
to communicate with Alarm.com. Make sure this sensor activity is displayed in the Partner Portal or MobileTech Event
History.
Check LED
The device LED may cycle through a number of patterns as the device boots up and connects to a cell tower. f the LED
continues to flash after 1 minute, check to make sure that the device does not have a tamper condition (review Step 3
and Step 4).
For battery-powered installations, when the device is successfully installed the LED should be off and activate only when
the device is tripped, blinking yellow twice.
For powered installations, the yellow LED should be solid, blinking twice when the device is tripped.
f the device is not communicating with Alarm.com, see Advanced Troubleshooting Using MobileTech.
For more information about LED patterns, see Flex O - LED Patterns and Troubleshooting.
Post-Installation Checklist
• The Flex O is installed flush to the mounting surface. f the mounting tamper is enabled, the tamper button on the
back of the device should be pressed in.
• LED is not blinking.
◦ For devices with only battery power, the LED should be off.
◦ For devices with wired power, the LED should be solid yellow and not flashing.
• The only LED activity should occur when the device is activated, which should result in 2 yellow blinks.
• Loop input wires are securely connected.
• Device activations are being reported in the account's Event History.
Alarm.com plans to support additional loop input and relay output third-party devices over time, so watch for updates in
our weekly Release Notes on the Partner Portal or see Cellular Sensors. Have an input/output device you’d like us to
support? Submit any ideas to your Alarm.com Sales Representative!
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