Honeywell Home LTEM-PA

Those needing a top-of-the-line communicator for a Honeywell VISTA Alarm System can turn to the Honeywell Home LTEM-PA. This dual-path communicator works with most VISTA Systems that support ECP mode. It offers cellular service through the AT&T LTE Cat M1 Network and IP connectivity.

If you are familiar with the earlier Honeywell LTEM-XA, then the Honeywell LTEM-PA is a similar AlarmNet Communicator. Both the LTEM-XA and the LTEM-PA offer connectivity with the state-of-the-art AT&T LTE Cat M1 Network. The difference is that while the LTEM-XA is cellular-only, the LTEM-PA adds IP connectivity. By setting up both internet and cellular, your VISTA System will stay monitored even if one communication pathway goes down or becomes unavailable. While you can technically set up just one path (internet OR cellular), virtually all buyers of the LTEM-PA will set up both paths because they want to have both connection paths in-use simultaneously. If you want cell-only, then the aforementioned LTEM-XA is recommended. If you want internet protocol (IP) only, and you don't want the option to change your mind at a later time, then the Honeywell 7847i may be a good option for your VISTA System.

What's important to note about the Honeywell Home LTEM-PA is that it is an AlarmNet Communicator. This means that it connects with the Resideo AlarmNet Servers for monitoring service. When AlarmNet receives a signal from the VISTA System, it can then forward the signal to the Total Connect 2.0 interactive security notification and automation platform, as well as a central monitoring station, depending on the monitoring plan you are using. Some alarm monitoring plans include service with Total Connect 2.0 only, some are central station only, and others include both TC2 and central station service. Check with your monitoring provider to make sure that you receive the type of service you want. Note that a VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P needs a PROM Chip of 9.12 or higher to support TC2. You can get PROM Chip upgrades for the 15P and for the 20P if needed. Meanwhile, all versions of the VISTA-128BPT support TC2, and any VISTA-250BPT running Version 10.3 or higher will support the service. While the VISTA-10P can still use the LTEM-PA for central station monitoring, it cannot support Total Connect 2.0. Please see this FAQ for more information on checking and replacing PROM Chips.

Internet service is a bit unique with the LTEM-PA. While most IP communicators for Honeywell VISTA Systems are ethernet only, the LTEM-PA has changed the game a bit. To be perfectly clear, using a wired ethernet connection with the module is the norm, and may be what many users will ultimately do. If you wanted to set up WIFI service with the AlarmNet communicators in the past, then using an ethernet to WIFI bridge like the Alarm.com ADC-W110 used to be the only option. The modular design, and the fact that this communicator supports WIFI, means that the LTEM-PA does not carry the UL-985 Listing for Residential Fire. If you require a communicator with that listing, you'll need to look at the Resideo LTEM-PIA

But new to the LTEM-PA is the ability to set up a wireless WIFI connection path by using one of the ProSeries WIFI Modules, those being the Honeywell Home PROWIFI (WIFI only) or the Honeywell Home PROWIFIZW (WIFI & Z-Wave Plus). If you opt to use one of the ProSeries WIFI Modules to connect the LTEM-PA to the internet, then the setup can either be configured by your alarm installer using the AlarmNet 360 website or the AlarmNet 360 App. This connection can also be configured by the end-user through Total Connect 2.0. One other limitation if you use a ProSeries WIFI Communicator, then you will be limited to using 2.4 GHz WIFI networks only. The ProSeries WIFI devices do not support 5 GHz WIFI networks. Please note that it is not possible to use both a wired ethernet connection and a ProSeries WIFI Module simultaneously with the Honeywell LTEM-PA. Only one (1) of those compatible internet connection options can be used at any given time.

Another new and exciting feature of the LTEM-PA is its ability to be used with Non-Honeywell manufactured panels. The communicator can be connected to certain legacy DSC (PC1616, PC1832, PC1864) and Interlogix panels (NX-8 and NX-8V2, NX-6V2, and NX-4V2) using the panel's keypad data bus. For the supported panels, this introduces the ability to interface Non-VISTA hardwired panels with Total Connect 2.0 for the very first time! When a PROWIFIZW is used with the LTEM-PA, the Total Connect 2.0 account can even support the use of Z-Wave devices. Smart Scenes with this setup is not an option. For information about the non-Honeywell models supported, and how to wire them, check out the Installation Guide, starting on Page 11. For other Non-VISTA panels where a keypad bus connection is not supported, Honeywell offers a new and improved PRODCM dialer capture module which will facilitate the ability to use the LTEM-PV or LTEM-PA communicators with any panel that previously supported a phone line connection and Contact ID format for sending signals.

Also new to the LTEM-P Series communicators is the fact that a wiring harness is supplied for the data bus connection. This harness is a 3-Wire connection, providing Data In (Green), Data Out (Yellow), and Ground (Black). When the harness is used, it connects to TB1, located right next to the terminal block (see page 10 in the above-linked Installation Guide). If the wiring harness does not provide a long enough wire, for those installations where the LTEM-PA is not going to be mounted right on top of the alarm panel's metal cabinet, then separate wires can be run between the panel's terminal block and the communicator for Data In, and Data Out. If the wiring harness will not be used, then either 18-gauge 4-conductor, or 22-gauge 4-conductor wire can be used. The longer the wire run, the thicker the recommended wire gauge. Again, see the Installation Guide for complete information. If you don't need a whole box of alarm wiring, we offer 22-gauge 4-conductor wire in 10', 15', and 25' pre-cut sections.

There is still no wire supplied for the connection to the transformer. You must use your own. Most users find that 18-gauge 2-conductor wiring works perfectly for this. The unit gets its primary power from the included DC transformer. The fact that the transformer is DC means that these communicators cannot share a transformer with the alarm panel, as has been possible with some communicators in the past. It also means that you must be careful to observe proper polarity when connecting the power wires to both the transformer and the communicator. It is possible to wire the LTEM-P series communicator so that it is powered by the panel, as opposed to sharing a transformer. You can find information on how to wire that here. Inside the LTEM-PA is its backup battery, which comes included. The LTEM-PA measures 9.1" X 9.1" x 2.2" (23.2cm x 23.2cm x 5.7cm). It weighs 1.5lbs (700g) without its backup battery, or 3.3lbs (1500g) with the battery. It includes LED lights to indicate current device and connection status. The unit supports tamper detection to let the system know if someone tries to open or disable the communicator. Note the device's current draw of 70mA when idle, to 515mA when used with cellular AND WIFI through a PROWIFI/PROWIFIZW. The maximum current draw will be less if wired ethernet is used instead.

Specifications

• Product Type: AlarmNet Dual-Path Communicator
• Compatibility: Honeywell VISTA Panels (ECP Compatible Panels Only unless PRODCM is used)
  Select DSC and Interlogix panels, per the install guide
  Any panel that supports POTS communication and Contact ID format (PRODCM required)
• Cellular Network: AT&T LTE Cat M1 Network
• Internet Connectivity: Wired Ethernet OR WIFI (Requires PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW, 2.4 GHz Networks Only)
• LED Status Lights: Yes
• Tamper Detection: Yes
• Mounting Hardware: Included
• Wiring: ECP Harness included, Power Wire Not Included
• Current Draw (Idle): 70mA
• Current Draw (Maximum): 386 mA
• Dimensions: 9.1" X 9.1" x 2.2" (23.2cm x 23.2cm x 5.7cm)
• Weight (No Battery): 1.5lbs (700g)
• Weight (w/ Battery): 3.3lbs (1500g)
• Operating Temperature: -4℉ - 131℉ (-20℃ - +55℃)F
• Operating Humidity: 0% to 95%, Non-Condensing
• Certifications: ETL Listed to UL 1021, UL 1610, and UL 365