Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Adding a new keypad

DSCpc1555 system with PC5508Z keypad. I want to add an additional keypad to Master Bedroom. I am a alarm novice.... so it looks like the additional keypad can be added in parallel to the connections in the master panel?? Is all the programming (memory) stored in the main panel or does each keypad store its own stuff? (I am hoping that I can just install new keypad without any re-programming?) Do I have to match keypad types, i.e. can I install a PC5500Z without any compatibility issues? TIA

You can mix any compatible keypad on the same keypad bus. The core programming is stored in the main control, but each keypad stores individual settings and features on DSC power series systems. There is a small amount of programming installed, especially if you want to take advantage of the 5500 keypad's ability to display zone descriptors, but at least, it has to be set to a keypad address and learned in to the system's supervision.

It wires into the system just like the existing keypad.

Ok, thanks for the answer. I located an installers manual for the 1555, it is labeled version 4-1, how would I know that this is the applicable version for my panel. Do I have to know what version SW I have installed, or is there a key sequence to find the version? Can I "browse" the locations to see what data is programmed in there now? TIA (my system is vintage 2001)

That manual will work fine. There aren't significant changes. The only things they really changed are some of the default settings (to attempt to reduce false alarms). Just remember to power the system down before you tinker with the wiring.