GE Interlogix Programming Guide
GE panels are probably the most configurable panels on the market. Configurable is good, but the problem for do-it-yourselfers is that the program seems crazilly over-complicated. Programming a GE panel is actually very easy as long as you know what areas need attention, that's where this step-by-step programming guide comes in.
My programming guide is based on the GE NX-8 V2 but the principles apply to all GE panels.
Here's the factory provided installation and programming guides for current GE panels.
NX-4 V2 Installation and Programming Guide
NX-6 V2 Installation and Programming Guide
NX-8 V2 Installation and Programming Guide
Before You Program
There's a few things you need to document before you start programming your GE control panel.
Are you using a 12 volt siren or a speaker? the difference being that a siren is triggered by a simple 12 volt dc output, a speaker requires an electronic tone that determines what sound the speaker will make during an alarm. The GE panel is capable of providing either but must be programmed for the proper output.
How do you intend to use the eight on-board hardwired zones? Each zone must be programmed to reflect what type of device(s) are connected to them. You do this by referring to pages 16 and 17 of the
Installation Manual where there's a numerical chart with numerous pre-defined zone types. The most often used are:
3 - Entry / Exit Door (with delay)
5 - Motion Detector
6 - Perimeter Window or Door (no delay)
For the purpose of this guide my system's hardwire zones will be:
Zone 1 Front Door (3)
Zone 2 Foyer Motion Detector (5)
Zone 3 Hallway Motion Detector (5)
Zone 4 Basement Motion Detector (5)
Zone 5 Den Motion Detector (5)
Zone 6 Foyer Glass Breakage Detector (6)
Zone 7 Back Doors (6)
Zone 8 Garage Interior Door (3)
My zone types entry will be 3-5-5-5-5-6-6-3
A Very Quick Programming Guide For GE Panels
As complicated as the GE program may look, there are only two things that need be changed for a typical DIY installation, those are:
Zone Types in location 25.
Siren Options in location 37
Entering program mode is simple enough:
Enter * 8 to tell the system you'd like to enter programming
Enter the four digit Installer Code (factory 9713)
If the Installer Code is valid the service LED will begin to flash.
The system is now waiting for you to tell it what module you'd like to program. The control panel is module zero.
Enter 0 # to tell the system you want to program the control panel.
The system is now waiting for you to tell it what programming location you would like to enter. For simplicity I'm going to step you through all the programming that's necessary for a typical do-it-yourself installation. Pay attention to the programming process and terminology, soon you'll be able to take advantage of all the customization possibilities of your system without referring to this guide.
Enter 25 # to go to location 25 (Zone Types)
Enter your 8 hardwire zone types (my example from above is 3 5 5 5 5 6 6 3)
Note: Press * after each digit to store and advance.
The next location you need to program is location 37 that contains your siren options. Segment 1 of location 37 contains a couple of options pertaining to the siren sounding when phone line voltage goes away, a non-monitored alarm system will not have a phone line connected so you'll need to deselect opions 1 and 2. Segment 2 of location 37 has the voltage out instead of siren driver out option, most systems will require voltage out so I'll include this in my programming steps, if you want siren driver out skip the second part of this programming step.
Enter 37 # to go to location 37 (Siren Options)
Deselect options 1 and 2 of segment 1, press * to advance to segment 2
Select option 1 to enable voltage out for siren
Press * to store segment 2 and advance to segment 3
Press # to back out of location 37
You're now through with all the necessary changes for a DIY installation.
Press the exit button twice to exit system programming.
In summary, to program my system with the above chosen zoning and a 12 volt siren output my keypad entries will be:
* 8 9713
0 #
25 # 3*5*5*5*5*6*6*3*
37 # 12 * 1 * #
Exit Exit
User Code Programming
User code programming is not part of the installer level program of a GE control panel. Code programming varies somewhat depending on what keypad you're using, refer to the user manual that accompanies your particular keypad.
Note: the factory master code of a new control panel should be 1234.
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