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Why does my Ekho translator show “Wrong Device Type” on a Latitude panel?

On a Latitude panel, “Wrong Device Type” at an Ekho translator address means the configured and reported device types differ: check the device type in LE2 or in the view devices menu on the panel GUI.

Direct answer

On a Latitude panel, “Wrong Device Type” at an Ekho EK-WL8-TRH translator address means the configured device type does not match the type the translator reports on the loop. Check the device type for the address in Loop Explorer 2 (LE2) or in the view devices menu on the panel GUI, and that the panel runs firmware EN-00.13.R001 or later for full support of the translator device type. Accept a genuine device type change at Access Level 3 if necessary. If the type is still rejected, check the Prot.type set for the EK-WL8-TRH and change it only after confirming the correct setting with Hochiki Europe Technical Support.

Applies to

  • Products / Models: Latitude EN addressable fire alarm control panels; EK-WL8-TRH (as Main TRH and as TRH(E)); EK-WL8-EXP
  • Firmware / Version: Latitude EN firmware EN-00.13.R001 or later (LE2 3.428 or later) for full EK-WL8-TRH support.
  • Region: Not applicable
  • Standards: EK-WL8-TRH — EN 54-17, EN 54-18, EN 54-25; EK-WL8-EXP — EN 54-18, EN 54-25. Both are RED compliant.

Symptoms

  • The Latitude panel reports a wrong device type, or a device type change, at the translator address or at a translator configured as an expander (TRH(E)) after panel programming.
  • The wrong device type fault appears at an address after a loop has been disconnected and reconnected.
  • The EK-WL8-TRH or a TRH(E) has an incorrect Prot.type set.
  • A wrong device type fault appears after a new EK-WL8-TRH or TRH(E) is added to the loop.

Likely causes

Loop Explorer 2 (LE2) configures the Latitude panel and its loop addresses. The Ekho Configuration software registers and configures the wireless devices through the translator. Both tools can set the translator protocol type (Prot.type), and it can also be set at the EK-WL8-TRH itself.

  • The address is configured in LE2 with a device type other than “EK-WL8-TRH Wireless Translator Module”.
  • The panel firmware is older than EN-00.13.R001 and does not fully support the EK-WL8-TRH.
  • The device type change has been made on the loop but has not been accepted at the panel.
  • The protocol type (Prot.type) of the EK-WL8-TRH has been changed in LE2, in the Ekho Configuration software or at the device since the system was commissioned. Confirm the correct protocol type for your Latitude firmware with Hochiki Europe Technical Support before changing it.

Required settings and configuration steps

  1. Check the panel firmware and LE2 version

    • Confirm the Latitude panel runs EN-00.13.R001 or later and that LE2 is 3.428 or later. If the panel is older, contact Hochiki Europe Technical Support for the firmware files and upgrade instructions. If you upgrade to EN-00.13.R004, LE2 must be 3.440 or later.

  2. Check the device type of the translator address

    • In LE2, or in the view devices menu on the panel GUI, check the device type configured for the translator address. If it is not “EK-WL8-TRH Wireless Translator Module”, for example if it is CHQ-POM, confirm the correct device type with Hochiki Europe Technical Support before you change it.

  3. Accept the device type change at the panel

    • Log in at Access Level 3 and accept the device type change. Accepting a device type change initialises the device onto the loop.

  4. Check the protocol type at the EK-WL8-TRH

    • On the EK-WL8-TRH, press Enter, choose Configuration, enter the engineering password, then Prot.type, and check the selected protocol type. The EK-WL8-TRH offers three protocol types: RSM-WTM, WL8-TRH and Faults 0B. RSM-WTM is designed for backward compatibility with older panels, WL8-TRH is for future enhancements, and Faults 0B adds child-device faults such as battery discharge and tamper directly at the loop address at the panel (currently supported only on Latitude and Taktis panels with firmware version 13.R001 or later). The protocol type can also be set from LE2 or the Ekho Configuration software. Record the selected protocol type. Do not change it without confirming the correct setting for your Latitude firmware with Hochiki Europe Technical Support.
    • A translator configured as an expander (EK-WL8-TRH set to “TRH as Exp”, shown as WL8-TRH(E)) is loop powered and has its own OLED menu; check its Prot.type at the device in the same way.
    • The EK-WL8-EXP expander module is a different product: it is powered from an external 12 V or 24 V DC supply, has only a “Prog.” button, and has no protocol-type setting of its own. Its parameters are programmed through the translator.

Troubleshooting checklist

  1. Panel firmware is EN-00.13.R001 or later with LE2 3.428 or later (EN-00.13.R004 needs LE2 3.440 or later).
  2. The translator address is configured as the translator type in LE2, and the configuration has been sent to the panel. If the device type was changed at the panel GUI, a new download has been taken.
  3. The device type change has been accepted at Access Level 3.
  4. The device has finished initialising onto the loop before its status is re-checked.
  5. The Prot.type on the EK-WL8-TRH (Main TRH and every TRH(E)) has been checked at the device.
  6. If the fault appeared after a loop disconnect and reconnect, or after a new EK-WL8-TRH or TRH(E) was added to the loop, repeat checks 2 to 5.

Notes for engineers

  • The EK-WL8-TRH installation manual lists the ESP device type that the translator emulates for each Ekho device: the translator itself is listed as CHQ-POM (panel compatibility determines which device types are supported) and, for example, the EK-WL8-CP as HCP-E.
  • Accepting a device type change is restricted to Access Level 3 and should only be carried out by a trained engineer. A new download should be taken once changes have been made at the panel GUI.
  • Battery and tamper faults of Ekho child devices are only reported at the device address when the panel supports it and the translator is set to Faults 0B. Faults 0B is currently supported only on Latitude and Taktis panels with firmware version 13.R001 or later. Before selecting Faults 0B, confirm with Hochiki Europe Technical Support that your Latitude firmware supports it.

When to contact technical support

  • “Wrong Device Type” remains after the LE2 device type, the panel acceptance and the EK-WL8-TRH Prot.type have all been checked.
  • The panel firmware is older than EN-00.13.R001 and needs upgrading.
  • A device does not complete initialisation after the device type change has been accepted.
  • Battery or tamper faults from Ekho devices are not reported at the device address once the translator is set to Faults 0B.
  • You have not completed Ekho training. Formal training is required to design, install and commission Ekho systems.

Safety note

This article is general guidance for Hochiki Europe products. Design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and modification of fire detection and alarm systems should be carried out by, or under the responsibility of, a competent person in accordance with the applicable standards (for example BS 5839-1 in the UK). Statutory requirements imposed by the relevant enforcing authority also apply. Always refer to the current product manual and data sheet for the exact model before carrying out any work.

References

Last reviewed: 2026-10-16 — Reviewed by: Hochiki Europe Technical Support