ELK E27 Alarm Engine — Installation & Programming Reference Guide

Full Installation & Programming Reference Guide for the ELK-E27 Alarm Engine, covering ElkConnect account setup, board layout, installation and wiring, and app-based programming.

Product Overview

• Inputs: 16 on-board, expandable to 128 — hardwired, wireless, or hybrid
• Wireless: Supports two-way or 319.5MHz wireless sensors (with optional receiver/transceiver)
• Outputs: 2 alarm outputs with built-in siren driver, 1 Form "C" relay, 10 voltage outputs, expandable to 32
• Areas: Up to 8; Users: up to 199; User Groups: up to 10; Keypads: up to 8
• Supports 4-wire smoke detectors on any input; 2-wire smoke detectors on main board inputs 14, 15, & 16, with fire alarm verification routine
• On-board Ethernet port for connectivity/reporting; optional digital dialer (phone line or dial-capture cellular); Contact ID format for IP and digital dialer reporting
• Optional Wi-Fi Adapter; optional Z-Wave Adapter supporting 64 lights, 8 locks, 4 thermostats, 4 garage doors
• Rules engine with AND/OR/ELSE logic; built-in astronomical clock; 500-event history log with timestamps
• 2.5A power supply with master power switch and low battery cutoff; removable terminal blocks; field-upgradable flash firmware; programmed via the ElkConnect app and portal

Alarm Engine Product Family

• ELK-E27CB – E27 Alarm Engine Control Board
• ELK-E27SYS1 / ELK-E27SYS2 – System packages (control board, keypad, power supply, battery)
• ELK-AEKP – LCD Keypad
• ELK-AERF3 – 319.5 MHz Wireless Receiver; ELK-AERF9 – Two-Way Wireless Transceiver
• ELK-AEWF – Wi-Fi Adapter
• ELK-AEXDD – Digital Dialer
• ELK-AEXIN – 16 Zone Input Expander; ELK-AEXOU – 8 Relay Output Expander
• ELK-AEXRFA / AEXRFA3 / AEXRFA9 – Bus adapters for RF receivers/transceivers
• ELK-AEZW – Z-Wave Interface Module

Important: ElkConnect Account Setup (Required Before Installation)

All E27 controls must be registered and assigned through the ElkConnect cloud portal (www.elkconnect.com) before configuration — establish your account before installation, as account requests must be manually approved by Elk (typically within 1 business day).

1. At elkconnect.com, click Create Account, select "Professionals Installers," and enter the account administrator's email (system owners cannot request accounts directly — the installer creates owner accounts).
2. Complete the Company Information and Admin Account Information forms and submit; wait for the approval email.
3. Once approved, go to Installer Settings to manage employees and add a Subscription Plan (required before you can create customer accounts and assign systems).
4. Claim the E27 control: From the Systems/Panels page, click "Claim New Control," then enter the MAC address and Key found on the E27's label; click "Register and Setup."
5. Create the customer account: Click "Add New Account," enter the end customer's email, then their name, service type (residential/commercial), and subscription plan; click Save. The customer receives an email to confirm their account and set a password.
6. Download the ElkConnect App (Android/iOS) to proceed with on-site configuration.

Board Overview & Key Connections

• Zones Z1-Z16: 16 on-board hardwired zone inputs, each pair sharing a common negative terminal. Zones can be programmed for EOL resistor supervision (default, 2200 Ohm EOL resistor, part ER2200), N.C./N.O. without a resistor, or as a Four (4) State Zone (EOL with Security Alert on Short/Open, requires firmware 2.3.5+, not compatible with force arming). Two-wire smoke detectors are supported only on Z14-Z16 via jumpers JP5/JP6/JP7, using an 820 Ohm EOL resistor (ER820) instead of the standard 2200 Ohm.
• +SAUX (Switched 12VDC, 1.25A PTC protected) – for 4-wire smoke detectors and devices needing a power interrupt to reset/unlatch.
• +VAUX (Auxiliary 12VDC, 1.25A PTC protected) – for motion detectors, glass breaks, and other devices needing continuous 24-hour power.
• ALM 1 & ALM 2 – supervised alarm outputs for speakers only (4-8 Ohms); install a 2.2K Ohm resistor if unused to avoid an Alarm Output Trouble condition. Never short these outputs.
• J16 Outputs 1-10 – 12VDC switched positive general-purpose outputs, 50mA rated.
• Output 11 – programmable general-purpose Form C relay, rated 4A @ 12-24VDC (dry contacts).
• RS-485 Data Bus (+BUS 12V, Data A, Data B, Neg) – for keypads and expanders; max total wire length 4000 ft across up to 2 home runs; min. wire gauge 24 AWG (18-22 AWG recommended for long runs).
• Ethernet (RJ45) – standard patch cable to router/switch for LAN/Internet connectivity.
• Z-Wave connector – for the optional ELK-AEZW module; Wi-Fi connector – for the optional ELK-AEWF adapter.
• Primary power: 14VDC, 2.6A UL-listed supply (ELK-P1426) required, connected to an always-on 120VAC outlet (not switched) via 16-18 AWG wire, max 50 ft run. Never connect to an AC transformer or switched outlet.
• Standby battery: 12V sealed lead-acid, 5-18 Ah. Float charge 13.8VDC @ 200mA. Never reverse battery leads. Replace battery every 3-5 years (ELK-1280 12V 8Ah or ELK-12180 12V 18Ah or equivalent).
• Clock battery: 3V Lithium CR2032, ~10 year life. Caution: may explode if mistreated — do not recharge, disassemble, or dispose of in fire.
• Current draw: E27CB board only = 100mA.

Installation & Wiring

Planning

1. Read the entire manual, including UL and NFPA requirements, before beginning.
2. Survey the installation site.
3. Discuss requirements and applications with the customer.
4. Compare requirements against factory defaults to determine needed custom programming.
5. Bench test the system before installation.

Smoke detectors should be located in each sleeping area and between sleeping areas and the main living area; homes with basements/multiple levels need at least one smoke detector per level. All perimeter openings within 18" of the ceiling should be protected.

Control Mounting

Do not mount the control outdoors, in a damp location, or in an unconditioned attic. Suitable ambient temperature range: 32° to 120°F (0° to 49°C). Choose a location with easy access to an unswitched power outlet and grounding conductor; a central location simplifies wiring runs.

Keypad Mounting & Wiring

Ideal mounting height: 50-58 inches, ambient temp 32-120°F, avoiding direct sunlight. Splice the keypad's Black/Red/White/Green wiring harness to the E27 Data Bus field cabling using ELK-900-2 "B" connectors. Minimum field wire gauge 24 AWG (18-22 AWG better for long distances); CAT5 (using extra conductors as a return path for Data A/B) is a good option. Never splice or connect wire with control power on.

Data Bus E.O.L. Termination (Critical)

The E27 data bus follows the EIA RS-485 standard at 115,200 bps. No more than 2 home-run data bus cables may connect to the E27 Main Data terminals, and the end of each cable must be terminated with a 120 Ohm resistor (via the built-in 2-pin jumper on the board or bus device — from the factory, none are installed). Never use more than 2 terminating jumpers total on the RS-485 bus, and never splice/interconnect the data bus using telephone-style 66 or 110 punch-down blocks. Max total wire length: 4000 ft (each home run from an ELK-M1DBH hub counts double since Data A/B travel out and back). Multiple home runs can be organized with an optional ELK-M1DBH Data Bus Hub (CAT5 cabling with RJ45 terminating plug) or by daisy-chaining with 6-conductor cable using series splices — terminate only the last device on each run plus the control's JP1/JP3.

Zone Wiring Reference

A non-violated EOL zone measures ~7.0 VDC across zone/common; an open circuit ~13.8 VDC; a shorted circuit 0 VDC.

Status/Diagnostic Display & Error Codes

Other display indicators: A = IP address shown, E = error code shown, r = rebooting, b.l = boot loader mode, d = awaiting approval to factory default, n/m = awaiting approval to enable Wi-Fi AP/WPS mode.

CONFIG Switch Functions

• Wi-Fi AP Mode: Press Config SW 5 times; wait for small "n," then press twice more.
• Wi-Fi WPS Mode: Press Config SW 7 times; wait for large "m," then press twice more.
• Defaulting the panel: Hold Config SW while powering on; continue holding until "d" appears, then press twice.

Programming via the ElkConnect App

1. Ensure the E27 is connected to a network with Internet access.
2. Launch the ElkConnect app and log in with your Installer credentials (same as elkconnect.com).
3. Select your control from the list of associated systems (shown with MAC address and system name).
4. Enter the default installer PIN 1728 when prompted (Wi-Fi connections require the ELK-AEWF setup steps first).
5. The app connects and displays the Home screen with System Selector, Main Menu, Area Section, Unsecure Sensors list, and Quick Menu.

The Main Menu provides full configuration access (limited for User-level logins); the Quick Menu gives fast access to Home, Lights, Locks, Sensors, History, etc. The System Selector switches between multiple connected systems (requires a valid code for each). Programmable sections include Area Details, User Details, User Groups, Prox Card/Fob Details, System Settings, Central Station Reporting, Sensors/Zones, Wireless Transmitters, Main Board I/O, Bus Devices, Keypad Details, Expander Details (input/output/RF), Dialer Details, Troubles, Z-Wave Devices, Locks, Thermostats, Garage Doors, Outputs, Tasks (Rules), User Values, History, Z-Wave Tools, and Network/Wi-Fi Settings.

Z-Wave Management (via Z-Wave Tools)

• Exclude a Device: Tap "Exclude a Device," then perform the device's exclusion procedure within the 75-second window.
• Rebuild Network: Updates routing paths for all Z-Wave devices — useful after adding/removing/relocating devices or resolving communication issues.
• Default Z-Wave Controller: Clears all device data from the AEZW controller (does not exclude individual devices) — typically reserved for tech-support-guided troubleshooting.
• View Devices: Lists configured Z-Wave lights, thermostats, locks, and garage doors with ID, class type, entity assignment, status, signal strength, routing path, and battery level.
• Test a Device: Polls a device for communication — green check = success (updates status/battery/signal), red X = no response (status set to MISSING).

Regulatory Compliance

Complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules (Class B digital device) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's licence-exempt RSS standards (CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)). Changes or modifications not expressly approved could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Limited Warranty

Elk Products, Inc. warrants the E27 and its associated components against defects in material and workmanship for two (2) years from the date of manufacture (over-the-counter exchange may be available within the first 180 days, subject to inspection). Warranty excludes damage from negligence, accident, mishandling, lightning/flood/Acts of God, failure to follow operating instructions, unauthorized alteration/repair, or performance-affecting adaptations. Contact ELK or an authorized distributor for an RMA before returning product.