Upgrading an older DSC alarm system

1. 01 Keep your equipment Compatible panel, keypads, sensors and wiring stay in place.
2. 02 We reprogram & test Panel reprogrammed, communicator connected, every zone walk-tested.
3. 03 Knightwatch monitors 24/7 monitoring and unlimited guard dispatch — no annual contract.

Signs your DSC system needs an upgrade

• It reports over a home phone line you no longer have, or want to cancel.
• The keypad is hard to read, has faded buttons, or only shows numbered lights instead of plain-English messages.
• The Trouble light keeps coming on, often because of a weak backup battery or a communication problem.
• You can’t control it from your phone.
• You want to add wireless sensors or cameras to a wired system.

None of these automatically means a new system. Most can be fixed by upgrading one part.

Upgrade options, from smallest to largest

1. New backup battery and service. Batteries wear out every few years; replacing one clears many trouble conditions.
2. Cellular communicator. Sends alarm signals over the cellular network instead of a phone line, keeps working if a line is cut, and adds app control on supported systems. Older cellular units may also need replacing as carriers retire older networks.
3. New keypads. Replace old LED or fixed-message keypads with full-message LCD keypads or a touchscreen. Compare yours with the pictures in our keypad guide below.
4. Wireless expansion. Add wireless door, window, motion, glass-break, smoke and flood sensors to an existing wired system without running new wire.
5. Panel upgrade. When a panel is too old or failing, we replace it with a DSC PowerSeries Neo panel or an IQ Panel touchscreen and reconnect your existing wired sensors, so the wiring in the walls is reused.

Switching companies at the same time

Many people upgrade when they leave their old provider. If your DSC panel isn’t locked, an alarm takeover reprograms it for Knightwatch monitoring, and we upgrade only what needs it. Coming from Bell, API Alarm, TELUS or ADT? See switching from Bell or API and switching from TELUS or ADT.

Adding cameras to a DSC system

An upgrade is a good time to add AI security cameras. Detection and active deterrence can arm when the alarm is armed, so the whole property is protected with one action.

For businesses

Older DSC panels in stores, offices and warehouses can be upgraded the same way: new communicator, keypads, extra zones, and opening/closing reports. See commercial alarm takeovers.