Why do my Ekho wireless devices not appear on the fire panel loop?

Direct answer

If an Ekho device does not appear on the fire panel loop, confirm that it is initialised to the EK-WL8-TRH translator in the Ekho Configuration software, then run a loop learn at the panel, then check the loop addresses. The translator presents each wireless device to the Hochiki ESP loop as an emulated ESP device type; devices that combine a sensor and a sounder take two loop addresses, the sounder address being the sensor address plus 127; and field device addresses can be set from 1 to 127, so duplicates with the wired devices already on the loop have to be resolved manually.

Applies to

• Products / Models: EK-WL8-TRH (Ekho translator) and Ekho wireless field devices, on a Hochiki ESP loop at a Latitude panel
• Firmware / Version: All versions (procedure verified against EK-WL8-TRH installation manual STFV.425551.070-E-UM rev. 15)
• Region: Not applicable
• Standards: BS EN 54-17 (short circuit isolators), BS EN 54-18 (input/output devices), BS EN 54-25 (components using radio links)

Symptoms

• A device is visible in the Ekho Configuration software but does not appear on the panel loop.
• A device does not appear in the Ekho Configuration software at all.
• Loop addresses move or clash after wireless devices have been added or deleted.

Likely causes

• The panel has not learned the loop since the wireless devices were added.
• The device was never initialised to the translator, or the changes were not applied to the translator.
• The batteries are not fitted, or the protective tabs are still in place.
• Duplicate loop addresses, or an address range at the panel that does not cover the wireless devices.
• Translator-to-panel loop wiring.
• The device is out of radio range of the translator or expander.
• More devices than the translator or the panel can carry: a single EK-WL8-TRH supports up to 126 child devices and a loop up to 10 translators, both subject to the capacity of the panel, and combined sensor-sounder devices use two loop addresses each.
  
  

Resolution

1. Confirm the device is initialised to the translator. In the Ekho Configuration software (referred to as the Ekho Configurator in the software guide), a plus symbol appears in the INIT and Prog columns after a device has been initialised and programmed successfully. Apply the changes so that they are written to the translator.
2. If the device does not appear in the software at all, fit the batteries and remove the protective tabs, then add it again from the translator menu (Configuration → Radio → ADD NEW, choose the device type, then press the Prog. button on the device until Device added successfully is shown). Move the device closer to the translator or expander (EK-WL8-EXP) while pairing.
3. Check the loop wiring. Connect the LOOP connector on the EK-WL8-TRH to the panel loop, minus to minus and plus to plus.
4. Make the panel learn the loop. On a Latitude panel, log in at engineer level and use Engineer options → Configuration → Edit configuration →Learn devices, wait for the scan to finish, once initialised, reset the system.
5. Check the addressing. Devices that combine a sensor and a sounder, such as the EK-WL8-OS, EK-WL8-HS and EK-WL8-OV, occupy two loop addresses: the sounder is addressed automatically as the sensor address plus 127, so a sensor at address 9 gives a sounder at address 136. In manual addressing mode the field device addresses can be set from 1 to 127, which is how you avoid clashing with addresses already used by wired devices on the loop.
6. Re-check the addresses after deleting a device. When a wireless device is deleted the list shifts up automatically, so the loop addresses of the devices after it will change (set addressing mode to manual to prevent device list from moving).
7. Verify. Confirm that the panel shows no faults and that each device responds to a functional test.

When to contact technical support

Contact Hochiki Europe technical support if a device is initialised to the translator and still does not appear on the loop after a loop learn, if loop addresses cannot be made unique, or if you have not completed Ekho training. Formal training is required to design, install and commission Ekho systems. For warranty terms and the returns procedure, see Warranty, Returns & Support.

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

• EK-WL8-TRH Wireless Translator Module installation manual (STFV.425551.070-E-UM, rev. 15)
• EK-WL8-TRH Wireless Translator Module specification (ISS2)
• Application Note 189 — Installing Hybrid Wireless Manual Call Points onto a Wired System (AP189, Issue 1)
• Hochiki Ekho Configurator Software Guide
• How do I replace an Ekho EK-WL8-TRH translator without losing the configuration?
• Why does my Ekho EK-WL8-OUT output module not operate during testing?
• How do Ekho wireless sounder tones compare with wired ESP sounder tones?

Last reviewed: 2026-10-12 — Reviewed by: Hochiki Europe Technical Support