Overview
RAS arming station or alphanumeric keypad — Challenger/Tecom area arming station with LED or LCD status (CA111x, 4/8/16-area RAS).
On Interlogix systems, wireless devices are supervised zones on the panel — tamper, low battery, and missing signals appear as trouble conditions that may block arming depending on panel programming.
At a Glance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Role | Partition arming and status keypad |
| Bus | Challenger/Tecom data bus |
| Variants | 2-line, 4-line, LCD with reader option |
What This Device Does Well
Provides reliable supervised status at the panel and Alarm.com / UltraSync when installed, enrolled, and range-tested correctly.
Before You Service or Replace One
- Sensor SKU — TX-E wireless vs hardwired loop vs 433 MHz expander path.
- Panel online — resolve panel AC/comms trouble before blaming sensor.
- Range — 433 MHz expander or move wireless receiver for distant zones.
- Battery type — use listed cell; replace all batteries in multi-cell devices.
- Tamper — cover fully closed before declaring hardware fault.
Official Sources
Use official Aritech install PDFs and install guides for exact wiring, enrollment, and firmware — specifications vary by SKU and region.
Troubleshooting
Quick diagnostic flow
- Confirm exact model/SKU on label matches official install guide.
- Clear panel AC and cell troubles before diagnosing wireless devices.
- Read zone trouble — tamper and low battery before "missing."
- Verify TX-E 319.5 MHz vs hardwired vs 433 MHz expander sensor matches panel hardware.
- For cell modules: ICCID, antenna, RSSI, and dealer platform match.
- Power-cycle panel only per dealer policy — document user codes first.
Symptom-based fixes
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Zone missing | Range or battery | Replace battery; add 433 MHz expander or receiver placement |
| Encryption trouble | Wrong sensor series | Use TX-E on Simon or wired on Challenger DGP |
| Cell fail persists | SKU or activation | Correct LTE module; dealer activates Alarm.com / UltraSync |
| Z-Wave won't include | Prior hub pairing | Exclude from old controller; include near panel |
| Takeover false alarms | Wired loop fault | Check EOL wiring; verify burglary-only zones |
| Cannot arm | Open zone or trouble | Status screen — secure or bypass per policy |
Testing checklist
| Test | How | Pass criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Zone status | Panel zone list | Secure when normal; open when tripped |
| Tamper | Open cover | Trouble shows; clears closed |
| Walk test | Installer walk test | Event at panel for trip |
| Final location | 24-hour soak | No missing or low battery |
After replacement
Delete old zone, enroll new hardware, update zone name, run walk test, and notify monitoring dealer if central station records zone numbers.
Source: RAS keypad installation guide; Aritech official documentation.