Arrowhead Alarm Panel Integration for Home Assistant

Advanced Home Assistant integration for Arrowhead ECi Series alarm panels with MODE 4 protocol support, comprehensive zone detection, and individual area management.

📢 Important Version Notice

Version 2.1.1+: ECi Series only (MODE 4 support, enhanced features)

Version 1.x: ESX Elite-SX support available here

Integration implemented by smarthomehellas.gr supported by iascom.gr - Exclusive Greek Arrowhead Distributor

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🎉 What's New in Version 2.2.0

Inproved event hadnling

✅ Better commands handilg (handle message sequences) ✅ Real-time updates (<200ms instead of 0-30 sec) ✅ No more "Failed to bypass" errors ✅ Instant zone state changes ✅ Responsive UI

🎉 What's New in Version 2.1.1

🚀 Full Individual Area Control

Two-Tier System:

• Main Panel Entity: Arms/disarms ALL areas simultaneously (MODE 4)
• Area Entities: Individual control per area (MODE 4 ARM, MODE 2 DISARM)

Key Features:

• ✅ Individual Area Arming: ARMAREA/STAYAREA commands (requires P74E/P76E configuration)
• ✅ Individual Area Disarm: Automatic MODE 2/4 switching for area-specific disarm
• ✅ Smart Protocol: Client handles mode switching automatically

Panel Requirements:

• P74E - Configure areas for individual away arming
• P76E - Configure areas for individual stay arming

Note: Without P74E/P76E configuration, ARMAREA/STAYAREA will fail with ERR 2

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📊 Version Comparison

Feature	v1.x	v2.1.1
Panel Support	ESX + ECi	ECi Only
MODE 4 Protocol	❌	✅ Full Support
Individual Areas	❌	✅ Per-Area Control
Individual Disarm	❌	✅ MODE 2 Support
Keypad Alarms	❌	✅ Panic/Fire/Medical
Bulk Operations	⚠️ Limited	✅ Full Support
Sealed Zones	⚠️ Basic	✅ Enhanced

🚀 Major Changes

• 🎯 ECi-Only Focus: Streamlined exclusively for ECi Series panels
• 🚀 MODE 4 Support: Full support for firmware 10.3.50+ enhanced features
• 🏠 Individual Area Panels: Separate alarm panel entity for each configured area
• ⚡ Enhanced Services: 36+ services including bulk operations and keypad alarms
• 🔍 Improved Detection: Better zone detection with sealed zone support
• 🐛 Bug Fixes: Numerous fixes for stability and reliability
• 📊 Better Monitoring: Health tracking and improved diagnostics

📦 Migration from v1.x

For ECi Users:

1. ✅ Backup your current configuration
2. ✅ Remove v1.x integration
3. ✅ Install v2.1.1
4. ✅ Reconfigure with manual area specification
5. ✅ Update automations with new entity IDs

For ESX Users:

• ❌ Stay on v1.x - ESX support removed in v2.0.1

Breaking Change: Version 2.0.1+ only supports ECi Series panels. ESX Elite-SX users should continue using version 1.x.

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⚠️ Panel Configuration Required

Before installing the Home Assistant integration, you must configure your Arrowhead ECi panel with the following settings:

Network Settings (P201E4E)

• Enable Serial Over IP - This is required for TCP/IP communication with Home Assistant

Serial Port Options (P25E19-21E)

• Enable Serial Authorization in Option C under the options tab
• This setting is essential for the integration to authenticate with the panel

Configuration Steps

1. Access Panel Programming Mode

   • Enter installer/programming mode on your panel
   • Navigate to the network and serial port settings

2. Configure Network Settings

   • Go to P201E4E (Network Settings)
   • Enable Serial Over IP functionality
   • Note the IP address and port (default: 9000)

3. Configure Serial Authorization ⚠️ DO NOT ENABLE

   • Navigate to P25E19-21E (Serial Port Options)
   • Select Option C under the options tab
   • Enable Serial Authorization LEAVE DISABLED

4. Save Configuration

   • Save all changes and exit programming mode
   • The panel may require a restart to apply network settings

Note: Without these panel configurations, the Home Assistant integration will not be able to establish communication with your alarm system.

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Overview

This integration provides complete Home Assistant support for Arrowhead ECi Series alarm panels, featuring MODE 4 protocol support, advanced zone detection, and individual area management.

🔹 Supported Panel: ECi Series

Key Specifications:

• Up to 248 zones
• 32 outputs
• Dynamic zone detection
• Multiple area support (up to 32 areas)
• Zone expander compatibility
• MODE 4 protocol (firmware 10.3.50+)

Compatible Firmware:

• ✅ ECi F/W Ver. 10.3.51 (MODE 4 fully functional)
• ✅ ECi F/W Ver. 10.3.50 (MODE 4 supported)
• ✅ Earlier firmware versions (MODE 1 fallback)

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🎯 Key Features

🏠 Comprehensive Device Support

• Main Alarm Control Panel - Controls all areas together
• Individual Area Panels - Separate panel entity for each configured area
• Zone Monitoring - Individual sensors for zone state, alarms, troubles, and bypass
• System Status - AC power, battery, phone line, and system health monitoring
• Output Control - Switches for panel outputs (lights, sirens, automation)
• Zone Bypass - Individual bypass buttons and bulk bypass services

🚀 MODE 4 Enhanced Features (Firmware 10.3.50+)

• Keypad Alarms - Trigger panic, fire, and medical alarms
• Enhanced Area Commands - ARMAREA and STAYAREA for better area control
• User Tracking - See which user armed/disarmed each area
• Enhanced Timing - Precise entry/exit delay information
• Programming Queries - Access panel configuration programmatically

🔧 Advanced Configuration

• Auto Zone Detection - Automatic discovery of configured zones
• Manual Area Config - User-specified areas for maximum reliability
• Custom Zone Names - Personalize zone names during setup or later
• Output Detection - Automatic or manual output configuration
• Protocol Adaptation - Automatic selection of best protocol for your firmware

🛡️ Robust Operation

• Connection Management - Automatic reconnection with exponential backoff
• Error Recovery - Comprehensive error handling and status reporting
• Health Monitoring - Track connection quality and success rates
• Performance Optimization - Panel-specific timing and protocol selection

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⚠️ Panel Configuration Required

Before installing the Home Assistant integration, you must configure your Arrowhead ECi panel with the following settings:

Network Settings (P201E4E)

1. Access panel programming mode
2. Navigate to P201E4E (Network Settings)
3. Enable Serial Over IP functionality
4. Note the IP address and port (default: 9000)

Serial Port Options (P25E19-21E)

1. Navigate to P25E19-21E (Serial Port Options)
2. Go to the Options tab
3. Select Option C
4. Enable Serial Authorization

Important: Without these settings, the integration cannot communicate with your panel!

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📥 Installation

HACS Installation (Recommended)

1. Add Custom Repository:

   • Open HACS in Home Assistant
   • Click on "Integrations"
   • Click the three dots menu (⋮) in the top right
   • Select "Custom repositories"
   • Add repository URL: https://github.com/thanoskas/arrowhead_alarm
   • Select category: "Integration"
   • Click "Add"

2. Install Integration:

   • Find "Arrowhead Alarm Panel" in HACS
   • Click "Download"
   • Restart Home Assistant

3. Add Integration:

   • Go to Settings → Devices & Services
   • Click "Add Integration"
   • Search for "Arrowhead Alarm Panel"
   • Follow the configuration wizard

Manual Installation

1. Download Files:

   wget https://github.com/thanoskas/arrowhead_alarm/archive/refs/tags/v2.2.0.zip
   unzip v2.2.0.zip

2. Copy Integration:

   cp -r arrowhead_alarm-2.2.0/custom_components/arrowhead_alarm /config/custom_components/

3. Restart Home Assistant and add the integration through the UI.

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⚙️ Configuration

Quick Setup Wizard

The integration uses a guided configuration wizard with the following steps:

1. Connection Setup - Enter IP address, port, and credentials
2. Zone Configuration - Auto-detect zones or set manually
3. Area Configuration - Specify which areas are active (manual, required)
4. Zone Naming - Optionally customize zone names
5. Output Setup - Specify number of outputs to control

Configuration Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default	Required
Host	IP address of ECi panel	-	Yes
Port	TCP port for communication	9000	No
User PIN	User number and PIN code	"1 123"	Yes
Username	Admin username	"admin"	No
Password	Admin password	"admin"	No
Areas	Active areas (comma-separated)	"1"	Yes
Max Outputs	Number of outputs to control	4	No

⚠️ Authentication Note: Username/password authentication is NOT currently supported. The ECi panel uses no encryption for TCP/IP communication. Only User PIN is required for arm/disarm operations.

User PIN Format

The User PIN should be formatted as: [User Number] [PIN Code]

• ✅ Correct: "1 123" (user 1 with PIN 123)
• ✅ Correct: "2 456" (user 2 with PIN 456)
• ❌ Wrong: "123" or "1123"

Areas Configuration

Areas must be manually specified as comma-separated numbers:

• Single area: "1"
• Multiple areas: "1,2,3"
• Valid range: 1-32

Why Manual? Area auto-detection can be unreliable. You know your system best!

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🎛️ Entities Created

Alarm Control Panels

• Arrowhead ECi Series - Main panel controlling all areas
• Arrowhead ECi Series Area 1 - Individual control for area 1
• Arrowhead ECi Series Area 2 - Individual control for area 2
• (Additional area panels for each configured area)

Each panel provides:

• States: Disarmed, Armed Away, Armed Home, Pending, Triggered
• Attributes: Zone status, system health, area information

Binary Sensors

Zone Sensors (per configured zone)

• Zone [XXX] - Zone open/closed state
• Zone [XXX] Alarm - Zone alarm condition
• Zone [XXX] Trouble - Zone trouble/fault condition
• Zone [XXX] Bypassed - Zone bypass status

System Sensors

• ECi AC Power - Mains power status
• ECi Battery - Battery status
• ECi Ready to Arm - System ready state
• ECi Phone Line - Phone line status
• ECi Dialer - Dialer status
• ECi Fuse/Output - Fuse and output status
• ECi Panel Tamper - Tamper alarm status

Switches

• Output 1-32 - Control panel outputs (based on configuration)

Buttons

• Zone [XXX] Bypass - Toggle zone bypass for each zone

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🎮 Services

Main Panel Control

# Arm all areas in away mode
service: arrowhead_alarm.arm_away

# Arm all areas in stay/home mode  
service: arrowhead_alarm.arm_stay

# Disarm all areas
service: arrowhead_alarm.disarm
data:
  user_code: "1 123"  # Optional override

Area-Specific Control

# Arm specific area in away mode
service: arrowhead_alarm.arm_away_area
data:
  area: 2
  user_code: "1 123"  # Optional
  use_mode_4: true    # Use MODE 4 if available

# Arm specific area in stay mode
service: arrowhead_alarm.arm_stay_area
data:
  area: 1
  use_mode_4: true

# Disarm specific area
service: arrowhead_alarm.disarm_area
data:
  area: 2
  user_code: "1 123"

Keypad Alarms (MODE 4 Only)

# Trigger keypad-based alarm
service: arrowhead_alarm.trigger_keypad_alarm
data:
  alarm_type: panic  # panic, fire, or medical

Bulk Operations

# Arm multiple areas at once
service: arrowhead_alarm.bulk_arm_areas
data:
  areas: [1, 2, 3]
  mode: away  # away, stay, or home
  delay: 1    # seconds between commands

# Disarm multiple areas
service: arrowhead_alarm.bulk_disarm_areas
data:
  areas: [1, 2]
  delay: 1

# Bulk zone bypass
service: arrowhead_alarm.bulk_bypass
data:
  zones: [1, 2, 3, 5]
  action: bypass  # or "unbypass"

Output Control

# Trigger output for duration
service: arrowhead_alarm.trigger_output
data:
  output_number: 1
  duration: 5  # seconds (0 = momentary)

# Turn output on permanently
service: arrowhead_alarm.turn_output_on
data:
  output_number: 2

# Turn output off
service: arrowhead_alarm.turn_output_off  
data:
  output_number: 2

Zone Management

# Bypass single zone
service: arrowhead_alarm.bypass_zone
data:
  zone_number: 1

# Remove zone bypass
service: arrowhead_alarm.unbypass_zone
data:
  zone_number: 1

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🤖 Automation Examples

Basic Alarm Control

# Arm when leaving home
automation:
  - alias: "Arm Alarm When Away"
    trigger:
      - platform: zone
        entity_id: device_tracker.phone
        zone: home
        event: leave
    action:
      - service: arrowhead_alarm.arm_away

# Disarm when arriving
  - alias: "Disarm When Home"
    trigger:
      - platform: zone
        entity_id: device_tracker.phone  
        zone: home
        event: enter
    action:
      - service: arrowhead_alarm.disarm

Area-Specific Arming

# Arm ground floor at night
automation:
  - alias: "Arm Ground Floor Night"
    trigger:
      - platform: time
        at: "23:00:00"
    action:
      - service: arrowhead_alarm.arm_stay_area
        data:
          area: 1
          use_mode_4: true

Zone-Based Automations

# Light when door opens
automation:
  - alias: "Front Door Light"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.zone_001
        to: 'on'
    condition:
      - condition: sun
        after: sunset
    action:
      - service: light.turn_on
        entity_id: light.front_porch

# Notification for alarms
  - alias: "Zone Alarm Alert"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.zone_001_alarm
        to: 'on'
    action:
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "🚨 Security Alert"
          message: "Front Door alarm!"

Smart Zone Bypass

# Auto-bypass garage when door open
automation:
  - alias: "Bypass Garage Door Zone"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.garage_door
        to: 'on'
    action:
      - service: arrowhead_alarm.bypass_zone
        data:
          zone_number: 6
          
  - alias: "Restore Garage Bypass"  
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.garage_door
        to: 'off'
        for: "00:05:00"
    action:
      - service: arrowhead_alarm.unbypass_zone
        data:
          zone_number: 6

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🔧 Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

Problem: Cannot connect to panel
Solutions:

• ✅ Verify IP address and port (default: 9000)
• ✅ Check network connectivity
• ✅ Ensure Serial Over IP is enabled (P201E4E)
• ✅ Verify Serial Authorization enabled (P25E19-21E Option C)

Problem: Authentication failed
Solutions:

• ✅ Check User PIN format: "1 123" (with space!)
• ✅ Verify username/password (default: admin/admin)
• ✅ Ensure Serial Authorization is enabled
• ✅ Try different user account

Zone Detection Issues

Problem: Zones not detected
Solutions:

• ✅ Check zones are configured in panel
• ✅ Verify areas are active
• ✅ Try manual zone configuration
• ✅ Review P4075Ex responses in debug logs

Problem: Wrong zone count
Solutions:

• ✅ Override max zones in options
• ✅ Check expander configuration
• ✅ Verify zone programming

MODE 4 Issues

Problem: MODE 4 features not working
Solutions:

• ✅ Verify firmware is 10.3.50 or later
• ✅ Check debug logs for MODE 4 activation
• ✅ Ensure areas configured at P74E/P76E (if using ARMAREA/STAYAREA)

Performance Issues

Problem: Slow or timeouts
Solutions:

• ✅ Increase scan interval in options
• ✅ Check network latency
• ✅ Verify panel not overloaded
• ✅ Consider firmware update

Debug Logging

# configuration.yaml
logger:
  default: warning
  logs:
    custom_components.arrowhead_alarm: debug

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🎨 Advanced Configuration

Custom Zone Names

Customize during setup or in integration options:

Zone 001: "Front Door"
Zone 002: "Kitchen Window"  
Zone 003: "Living Room Motion"
Zone 004: "Basement Door"
Zone 005: "Garage Motion"

Multiple Panels

Each panel needs a separate integration instance:

1. Add first panel normally
2. Add additional via "Add Integration"
3. Use different IP addresses
4. Entities get panel-specific names

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📚 Supported Panel Models

ECi Series (Version 2.0.1+)

• ECi Pro - ✅ Fully tested and supported
• ECi Standard - ✅ Compatible
• Other ECi variants - ⚠️ Should work (feedback welcome)

Firmware Compatibility:

• ✅ ECi F/W Ver. 10.3.51 (MODE 4 fully functional)
• ✅ ECi F/W Ver. 10.3.50 (MODE 4 supported)
• ✅ Earlier firmware versions (MODE 1 fallback)

ESX Elite-SX Series (Version 1.x Only)

⚠️ ESX Support: ESX Elite-SX panels are supported in version 1.x. Please use v1.x if you have an ESX panel.

ESX Features (in v1.x):

• Up to 32 zones
• 16 outputs
• RF supervision support
• Dual area configuration
• Tamper detection

To install v1.x for ESX panels:

# Download v1.x release
wget https://github.com/thanoskas/arrowhead_alarm/archive/refs/tags/v1.0.0.zip

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions welcome! See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

Development Setup

git clone https://github.com/thanoskas/arrowhead_alarm.git
cd arrowhead_alarm
pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
pytest tests/

Reporting Issues

Please include:

• Home Assistant version
• Integration version (2.1.0)
• ECi firmware version
• Debug logs (sanitized)
• Steps to reproduce

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📄 License

MIT License - see LICENSE file.

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🙏 Acknowledgments

• Arrowhead Alarm Products - Panel documentation and support
• Home Assistant Community - Testing and feedback
• HACS - Distribution platform
• Iascom.gr - Greek Arrowhead distributor

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🆘 Support & Community

• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Discussions: GitHub Discussions
• Community: Home Assistant Forum
• Website: Smart Home Hellas

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⭐ If this integration helps you secure your home, please star the repository!

☕ Support Development
If you find this project helpful:

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_{Made with ❤️ by Smart Home Hellas}