How Do I Add a Wireless Zone to the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS?

You can add a wireless zone to the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS by accessing Local Programming using the system's Installer Code (default 4112), then going to Add a Peripheral, faulting a compatible sensor to send a signal to the panel for auto-enrollment, and configuring the zone settings.

Please note while this FAQ is specifically written with the PROA7PLUS in mind, this same information also applies to the Honeywell Home PROA7, the Resideo PROA7PLUSC, and the Resideo PROA7C. These three (3) other panels and the PROA7PLUS which is the primary focus of this FAQ all have the same sensor support and compatibility, the same number of wireless zones, and they all follow the same programming process. Also note that this FAQ assumes that the ProSeries Panel has received Firmware Update 3.591.92.0 or higher. That Firmware Version introduced Local Programming Mode, which is required for an end-user to enroll a wireless sensor with the system on their own, without any help from their monitoring provider. If you would like to learn more about ProSeries Firmware Update 3.591.92.0, then please review this blog post.

Like most wireless security systems, compatible wireless sensors for a PROA7PLUS or another ProSeries Alarm Panel are assigned to wireless zones on the system. Each wireless sensor will occupy at least one (1) wireless zone on the system. There are also some cases in which a single sensor can occupy more than one wireless zone on the system, with each wireless zone serving a different function. In that situation, each zone will have the same Serial Number (SN) that is unique to the sensor, but the zones will be differentiated by a different Loop Number or a different Service that determines which function of the sensor is being used for that zone. One example of such a sensor that can be used in this manner is the Honeywell Home PROSIXCT, which can use one zone for its Reed Switch Service, and another zone for its Terminal Block Service.

Compatible wireless sensors for the PROA7PLUS and other ProSeries Alarm Panels can be split into two (2) main categories. The first category represents the encrypted sensors from the Honeywell Home PROSIX Series and the Honeywell SiX Series Sensors. The Honeywell Home PROSIX Sensors are exclusively used with ProSeries Security Panels, and they currently will not work with any other alarm systems. The Honeywell SiX Sensors were originally made for use with the Honeywell Lyric Security System. However, the ProSeries Alarm Systems have been made backward compatible to support the Honeywell SiX Sensors as well. One important thing to note about using the Honeywell SiX Sensors with the ProSeries Panels though is that after you enroll a SiX Series Sensor with one of the ProSeries Panels, then that sensor will never be able to go back to being used with a Honeywell Lyric Alarm System ever again. This is a permanent and irreversible change, so make fully sure that you never want to use the SiX Sensor with a Honeywell Lyric again before enrolling it with a ProSeries Panel. Up to (127) of these encrypted sensor zones are available on each ProSeries Panel. No additional hardware is needed for a ProSeries Panel to support Honeywell Home PROSIX and Honeywell SiX Sensors. In other words, you can begin enrolling these encrypted sensors immediately upon setting up the panel, provided that the panel has the necessary firmware update to support Local Programming Mode. These are the only encrypted sensors available for the ProSeries Security Systems.

The second category of wireless sensors available for the PROA7PLUS and other ProSeries Panels from Honeywell Home and Resideo are non-encrypted sensors, often referred to as "legacy" sensors. All ProSeries Security Panels have (123) legacy sensor zones for supporting these wireless devices. However, these zones are not accessible right away. Instead, legacy sensors can only enroll with these zones if a Honeywell Home PROTAKEOVER Module has been installed inside the ProSeries Alarm Panel. For information on installing a PROTAKEOVER Module, please see its installation guide. One important thing to do before installing the module is to set its rotary dial based on the type of legacy sensors that you want to use with the ProSeries System. There are five (5) available legacy sensor frequencies that you can choose from, but you can ultimately only select one (1) of these frequencies to use with your ProSeries Alarm System. Only one (1) PROTAKEOVER Module can be installed per ProSeries Panel, so only one (1) legacy frequency can be used. Please note that the PROTAKEOVER Module supports neither key fob devices nor life-safety sensors. Adding a PROTAKEOVER unit to your ProSeries Panel will open up a maximum of (123) legacy sensor zones on your ProSeries Security System. Only one (1) of the following five (5) legacy sensor frequency options can be selected on each PROTAKEOVER Module, and you make your selection by adjusting the rotary switch on the module to the corresponding value prior to the actual installation of the unit.

• 0 - 345 MHz (Honeywell 5800)
• 1 - 345 MHz (Legacy 2GIG)
• 2 - 433 MHz (Legacy DSC)
• 3 - 319.5 MHz (Qolsys, Interlogix, GE)
• 4 - 433.4 MHz (Bosch)

When you combine the (127) encrypted zones with the (123) legacy zones from the added PROTAKEOVER Module, you arrive at the maximum total of (250) available zones for the ProSeries Panels. It is important to note though that any of the (250) can technically be used with any encrypted sensor or a legacy sensor. That is, all of the ProSeries Zones, which are all three-digit numbers that run from Zone Number 001 to Zone Number 250, can theoretically be used as an encrypted zone OR as a legacy zone. The only rule is that you can never exceed (127) encrypted zones or (123) legacy zones at any time. Sensors are assigned zones in the order in which they are enrolled, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Whenever you enroll a new sensor, it will be assigned the lowest available Zone Number. In other words, the very first sensor you enroll will be assigned Zone Number 001, regardless of whether it is an encrypted sensor using up one of the (127) encrypted zone slots, or a legacy sensor using up one of the (123) legacy zone slots. Then the second sensor will be assigned Zone Number 002, again following the same guidelines. Then the third sensor will be assigned Zone Number 003, and so on. However, if you delete a sensor from the system, then its associated Zone Number will be available. Then the next time you enroll a sensor, whether that is the previously deleted sensor being reprogrammed or a new sensor entirely, it will be assigned whatever is the lowest available Zone Number on the system. And to be clear, any Zone Number can theoretically be used as an encrypted zone or as a legacy zone. It just depends upon the order in which you enroll the (127) encrypted zones and the (123) wireless zones.

For example, let's say you configure 99 wireless zones on the system. Zone Number 001 through Zone Number 099 are all occupied on the system, while Zone Number 100 through Zone Number 250 are all available on the system. But then let's imagine that you delete the sensor assigned Zone Number 069, and then you delete the sensor assigned Zone Number 042. Then let's say you enroll a new sensor with the system. That sensor will be assigned the lowest available Zone Number, which in this example, is Zone Number 042. Then let's pretend you enroll an additional new sensor immediately after that. The lowest available Zone Number now is Zone Number 069, so that sensor will be assigned to Zone Number 069. Then if you enroll yet another new sensor after that, then it will of course be assigned the lowest available Zone Number, which is Zone Number 100.

Another way to understand this is that if you never delete a zone, then Zone Numbers will just count upwards from 001, 002, 003, 004, etc. But then once you begin deleting existing zones, then the Zone Number assignment will have to go back and "fill-in" the lower Zone Numbers that became available when you deleted the sensors. Please note that there is no way to manually assign Zone Numbers. In other words, Zone Numbers are automatically assigned based upon the lowest available Zone Number at the time of enrollment. If for some reason you want to influence which Zone Number is assigned to any given sensor, then your only option is to pay attention to the order in which you enroll the sensors, and make sure to enroll the desired sensor in the order in which it will assign the desired Zone Number.

For this FAQ, we will assume that the PROA7PLUS Panel has already been updated to support Local Programming Mode. We will also assume that a PROTAKEOVER Module has already been installed inside the ProSeries Panel. Although the encrypted sensors and the legacy sensors follow the same general programming process, there may be differences in terms of the available zone settings. In this guide, we will lump all the possible questions together to show you what you may encounter. Complete the following steps to add a wireless zone to a PROA7PLUS System:

1. Access Add a Peripheral. You need to put the PROA7PLUS into its mode for auto-enrolling new peripheral sensors. Begin from the main system screen. Click the three (3) horizontal bars menu button at the bottom. Scroll down on the black pop-up window and choose Tools. Enter the Installer Code for the system (default 4112). Select Programming. Click on Peripherals. Then press the plus (+) icon in the upper-right. The panel will enter its "Add a Peripheral" Mode so that a new sensor can be enrolled.

2. Fault the wireless sensor. Take your wireless sensor and fault, or activate, the device. This process will vary depending upon the type of wireless sensor that you are enrolling. Please note that the wireless sensor should have fresh batteries installed, and it should be within wireless communication range of the PROA7PLUS System when doing this. By faulting the sensor, you are having the sensor send a wireless signal to the panel. The PROA7PLUS should recognize the wireless signal and allow you to begin adding that sensor to the system. If done successfully, you should reach the Edit Sensor Menu. Please note that you may also get a sensor to enroll by activating its cover tamper.

3. Edit the zone settings. The Edit Sensor Menu is where you can configure the settings for the wireless zone. Please note that the available options will vary depending upon whether the sensor is an encrypted sensor or a legacy sensor, and also on the type of sensor being enrolled. Please note that there may be other options besides what is listed here. Also, some options may not be listed depending on the type of sensor being enrolled. But you will make at least some of the following selections when enrolling any sensor:

• Sensor Type: This will either list a specific sensor model for an encrypted PROSIX or SiX Sensor, or it will show "5800 & Takeover" for a legacy Sensor. It will show this regardless of the type of legacy RF sensor that is being used. You cannot adjust this field.
  
• MAC or Serial Number: This is a unique identifier that the system obtained during auto-enrollment. The PROTAKEOVER takes the legacy received RF Serial Number and converts it into a format the PROA7PLUS can understand and properly display. For this reason, you MUST auto-enroll all legacy RF sensors. So, since you auto-enrolled the sensor, you will not need to adjust this field.
  
• Partition: Assign the sensor to the desired system partition. Only enabled partitions can be selected. Up to four (4) partitions can be enabled on a ProSeries Panel. Partition 3 or Partition 4 can be set as a Common Lobby Partition, depending on the highest partition number enabled. The highest number enabled partition must always be the one configured as the Common Lobby.
  
• Service (Add): This allows you to add an additional function for the sensor. Depending on the sensor type, this may be referred to as a Service, or as a Loop Number (1 through 4). In either case, different Services and Loop Numbers represent different possible functions for the sensor. You should refer to the manual for the sensor to determine which Service(s) or Loop(s) are available. As a reference, encrypted sensors and non-345 MHz legacy sensors typically use the term "Service", while 345 MHz legacy sensors typically use the term "Loop". Remember that each added Service or Loop Number will require an additional zone on the system. Each wireless zone can only be configured for one (1) Service or one (1) Loop Number at any given time. One other note is that for a 345 MHz legacy sensor using Loop Numbers, Loop 4 is typically associated with the sensor's cover tamper detection function, and it does not need to be manually programmed on the system or assigned to its own system zone in order to function properly. It will function automatically, without Loop 4 being programmed. If you use the tamper to learn a sensor's serial number, it will likely show up as Loop 4, and will need to be corrected to the proper Loop in order to function correctly. Clicking the "Add" button while within a sensor programming screen will take you to a sub-menu where you can configure an additional Service or Loop Number for the current sensor. This will require an additional system zone. The encrypted SiX and PROSIX Sensors typically have clearly defined Services, but the Loop Numbers for 345 MHz legacy sensors and the Services for the non-345 MHz legacy sensors may be less clear. Again, please refer to the installation manual for the wireless sensor to determine the purpose of any Service or Loop Number.
  
• Zone Number: Automatically assigned based on the order of sensor enrollment. Sensors are assigned the lowest available Zone Number at the time of enrollment. This cannot be manually adjusted.
  
• Service: The set Service for the zone being configured. See the above Service (Add) description for more info. Only one Service can be assigned per zone.
  
• Zone Descriptions: The two (2) Zone Descriptions are used for naming the sensor. This setting helps a user identify the sensor location. The panel will speak the Zone Descriptions, along with the Device Type, when the sensor is faulted (assuming that voice is enabled), so you do not need to put the sensor type (e.g. door, window, etc.) into the Zone Description. Please note you do not need to use both Zone Descriptions if unnecessary. Many zones are fine with only one Zone Description being configured. Or you can configure both for extra accuracy and detail. It's up to you.
  
• Device Type: The type of sensor being used. Based on this setting, different Response Type selections will be available. A Device Type of Door will provide different Response Type options than a Device Type of Motion, for example. If you want to be able to choose from ANY Response Type, then you can set the Device Type to Other. Please note that if you choose Other, then the panel will not speak the Device Type when the sensor is faulted when voice is enabled. In other words, it will not speak a Device Type of Other.
• Response Type: This determines the action the system will take when the sensor is faulted. This is a very important setting, so make sure to have a basic understanding of system Response Types.
• Supervised: If enabled, the PROA7PLUS will display a trouble condition if the panel fails to receive a supervision check-in signal from the sensor for a pre-determined period of time. Sensors send out check-in signals regardless of this setting. This setting determines whether or not the system will monitor and keep track of these signals. The most common reasons for RF Supervision trouble are a sensor being taken out of wireless range, a low or dead battery for the sensor, the sensor being destroyed or rendered unable to communicate, the panel being moved or relocated, or new obstacles blocking wireless communication between the panel and the sensor.
• Alarm Report: This setting determines if the system will send an alarm report if the zone causes a system alarm. This setting really only has meaning if the system is being monitored. If the setting is disabled, then the system can still go into a local alarm, complete with a siren, but that zone triggering an alarm will not result in any response from a central station. This will not affect whether or not the alarm is sent to Total Connect 2.0.
• Version: The firmware version for the sensor. The only way to adjust this is to apply a firmware update for the sensor, which comes from the panel receiving a Firmware Update which includes a Firmware Update for the particular type of sensor. You cannot manually configure the sensor Version.
• Chime: The sound the panel emits when the sensor is faulted. An option for Disabled is available if you don't want the panel to emit a chime sound for this zone when the Chime feature is enabled. Remember that a Chime will only occur if global panel chimes for the system as a whole are enabled. Also, setting the volume to 0 will make it seem like no Chimes are occurring.
• Armed Night: This toggle option appears if you set the Device Type as a Motion Sensor. If enabled, the sensor will be active when you Arm Night, and not automatically bypassed by the system. You can think of Arm Night as a more secure arming state than Arm Stay, as all Interior motion sensors are bypassed when Arming Stay, but when you Arm Night then any interior motion sensor with this setting enabled will NOT be bypassed.
• Supervision Time: The amount of time the system can go without receiving a Supervision check-in signal from the sensor without resulting in Supervision Trouble, assuming that the Supervised setting for the zone is enabled. This setting is locked to 720 Minutes, and it cannot be adjusted. It means that a sensor must check in every six (6) hours.

4. Save and Test. When you have finished, press either the Save & Add Another button (if you want to set up an additional sensor) or the Save button (if this was the last sensor you want to enroll for now) in the top-right corner. This will save the configuration for the zone. Then return home by repeatedly pressing the Return Arrow in the top-left. You should then test the sensor to make sure it works properly. If your testing will trigger an alarm on the system, then make sure to put your system on test mode with the central station first. Once you are ready, fault the sensor, and make sure the system displays the fault. Remember, your system will go into alarm if a 24-hour zone is faulted. After testing, restore the sensor, and make sure the system clears the zone fault. Clear any alarms from the system if necessary. Being able to fault and restore the sensor, or being able to trigger an alarm and then clear that alarm for a 24-hour zone, indicates that the sensor is functioning as intended.