Alarmcom Flex IO User manual

Flex IO
Installation Guide
ADCFLEX100

1
Table of contents
Overview 2
Equipment 3
Step 1: Determine location 4
Step 2: Add the Flex IO to an account 8
Step 3: Mount the Flex IO 9
Step 4: Insert the batteries 11
Step 5: Confirm communication 12
Post-installation checklist 13
Specifications 14
Regulatory information 15

2 3
Overview
The Flex IO enables new levels of
flexibility for monitoring valuable
property and assets anywhere that
LTE connectivity is available.
Whether used with a backyard gate
or a remote storage unit, the Flex IO
empowers users to keep an eye on
what matters most. It can be used
with the included magnet to
monitor doors, gates, and other
entryways. It also comes equipped
with input and output options for
integrating compatible devices that
lack long-range connectivity.
This guide covers the basics of setting up
and mounting your Flex IO.
For detailed instructions, including how to leverage the built-in
loop input and relay output option, visit our Knowledge Base:
answers.alarm.com/?cid=adcpartnerflexio
Equipment
In the box
• Flex IO
• Magnet
• AA 1.5 V lithium batteries (x4)
• Installation guide
• 300 k resistor (optional)
Recommended tools and supplies
(not included)
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Zip ties (up to 3 recommended:
2 for Flex IO and 1 for magnet)
• #8 Phillips screws (x4)
• Paper clip (to press Flex IO diagnostic button;
see Cellular Signal Strength)
Loop input and relay output tools and supplies
(if required; not included)
• 18-22 AWG wire
• Power supply (ADC-FLEX-100-PS)
• Wire retention clip (ADC-FLEX-100-WRC)
Flex IO Magnet
Resistor (optional)
AA Batteries
Installation
Guide

4 5
Step 1:
Determine location
Before installing your device, it is important
to consider the following:
• Contact (reed switch) position
• Mounting options
• Input and output wiring
• DC power requirements
• Cellular signal strength
Contact (reed switch) position
Like a standard door/window contact, the Flex IO
can be installed with the accompanying magnet to
detect activity at potential entryways.
To determine your installation orientation,
consider the following:
• Three separate reed switch positions are available.
Only one reed switch position can be active at a time.
You will select the reed switch position in Step 2.
• Use the tick marks on the sides of the device for guidance:
I - Position 1
II - Position 2
III - Position 3
• The magnet should be positioned no more
than 1.25 inches from the device.
1
3
2
Reed switch
positions
Mounting options
Consider the following mounting requirements.
Review Step 3: Mount the Flex IO for diagrams
and more information.
• 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 IO is mounted flush to the
install surface.
A mounting tamper is located on the back of the
Flex IO. This tamper button must be fully pressed (until you
hear a clicking sound) to avoid reporting
a mounting tamper malfunction.
If not applicable for your installation, tampers can be
disabled by updating device settings on the Partner Portal
or MobileTech.
Input and output wiring
If Loop or Relay will also be used, it is important to consider
how the wiring will be configured before mounting the Flex IO.
Review Loop Input or Relay Output Installation on the Alarm.
com Knowledge Base to verify your wiring plan before
proceeding with the installation.
Terminal
locations

6 7
DC power requirements
In addition to battery power, the Flex IO can be powered with
a DC converter. DC power is required for relay installations
due to increased power demands.
DC power is optional for reed switch or input installations.
Anything from 6 to 15 VDC is acceptable. A minimum of 1 A
is required. When using DC power, we recommend installing
batteries for backup power to prevent damage in case
of a sudden power loss.
Cellular signal strength
Prior to mounting, check the cellular signal
strength using the following steps:
❶ Using a screwdriver, remove the battery door and temporarily
insert batteries. Leave the battery cover off. The device LED
should now be active.
❷ Hold the Flex IO in the desired installation location.
❸ Using a paper clip, push the diagnostic button, then release.
The device LED should now be solid red. 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 on the next page. It may take up to 30 seconds
for the signal strength to be acquired.
Diagnostic
button location
Signal strength LED pattern
Pending
0 bars every 8 seconds
1 bar
2 bars
3 bars
4 bars
5 bars
6 bars
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.

8 9
Step 2:
Add the Flex IO
to an account
After you have completed Step 1 and identified your
installation location (including power and wiring
considerations), proceed with adding the device to
an account.
❶ Navigate to the Customer Account on the
Partner Portal or MobileTech.
❷ Ensure you have added at least one Flex IO to your
Service Package (listed under Cellular Sensors).
❸ Navigate to the Equipment page and select
the Cellular Sensors tab.
❹ Select Add a Cellular Sensor.
❺ Using a screwdriver, open the battery compartment to
find the Serial Number (Device IMEI) of the device.
❻ Enter the Device IMEI number and follow the on-screen
instructions to set up your device.
IMEI number
location
Want to add Flex IO 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).
Step 3:
Mount the Flex IO
If you are wiring any devices into the screw terminals, it is
recommended to do so before mounting the Flex IO. See the
Alarm.com Knowledge Base for more information.
The Flex IO can be mounted using either screws or zip ties.
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 IO.
• Take care not to over-torque the screws.
Power tools should be avoided. If pilot holes are necessary,
a drill bit size of 5/64’’ is recommended.
Screw
mounting
Mounting screw
locations

10 11
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 IO to ensure a secure installation.
The magnet also has a zip tie groove across the center.
Zip tie
mounting
Mounting tamper
A mounting tamper is located on the back of the
Flex IO. 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 & Yellow LED pattern.
An active mounting tamper will drain the battery.
If 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.
Tamper
button
Step 4:
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.
Install the included batteries, close the battery compartment
door, and tighten the screw securely.
Make sure the battery door screw is securely tightened
to clear the battery door tamper. This will also ensure
a waterproof seal.
If 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.
Battery
compartment

12 13
Step 5:
Confirm communication
Confirm device communication
Activate the reed switch contact as well as any sensors
wired into the device. The LED should blink yellow twice when
the device is tripped. This will prompt the Flex IO 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.
If 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.
If your device is not communicating with Alarm.com,
see Advanced Troubleshooting Using MobileTech on the
Alarm.com Knowledge Base.
For more information on LED patterns, see LED Patterns
& Troubleshooting on the Alarm.com Knowledge Base.
Post-installation checklist
✓The Flex IO is installed flush to the mounting surface. If 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 blinking.
✓ The only LED activity should occur when the device
is activated (either by reed switch or wired-in device),
which should result in 2 yellow blinks.
✓ Any Loop Input or Relay Output wires are securely connected.
✓ Device activations are being reported in the
account’s Event History.
Questions?
If you are experiencing difficulties with your Flex IO
installation, please contact Alarm.com Technical Support at
866-834-0470 and we’ll be happy to assist you further.

15
Regulatory information
FCC
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in
a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
ISED
This device contains licence-exempt transmitters(s)/receiver(s) that comply with
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt RSS(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that
may cause undesired operation of the device.
Cet appareil contient des émetteurs/récepteurs exemptés de licence conformes
à la norme Innovation, Sciences, et Développement économique Canada.
L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes:
1. L’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage.
2. L’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même
si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.
The Flex IO is a monitoring device that
is not intended for life safety use cases.
14
Specifications
Ingress protection
• IP56
Temperature
• Battery life will be optimal between temperatures
of 32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C). The device can operate
from -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C)
Reed switches
• 3 unique reed switch locations to choose from that
can be activated with included magnet
Loop input
•Flex IO can be powered by battery or external power
• Dry Contact, Normally Open (NO), or Normally Closed (NC)
• Optional EOL resistor can be 300 k or higher
Relay output
•If used, Flex IO must be externally powered
(not compatible with battery power)
• Up to 24 V (AC or DC), 40 mA max current
• Can be used only for control lines/dry contact
Can never be connected directly to control electrical
loads, which will damage the device
Dimensions
• Main unit: 6.8 x 2.2 x 1.3” (17.3 x 5.6 x 3.3 cm)
• Magnet: 3.1 x 0.68 x 0.87” (7.9 x 1.7 x 2.2 cm)
Power
• Works with DC-wired power or battery power
(battery backup recommended for wired installations)
• 6 to 15 VDC supply, minimum 1 A
Battery power
• Four 1.5 V AA lithium batteries (iron disulfide)
• 2+ years of battery life (depending on battery
chemistry and operating temperature)

Notes

200923
© 2020 Alarm.com. All rights reserved.
8281 Greensboro Drive
Suite 100
Tysons, VA 22102