--- title: "Paradox Digiplex EVO via PRT3 (TCP)" description: "Connect a Paradox Digiplex EVO alarm panel to TapHome through the PRT3 module and an RS-232-to-Ethernet converter — arming, zones and virtual PGM." url: "https://taphome.com/en/compatibility/paradox-evo-prt3-tcp/" language: en lastmod: 2026-11-04 generator: hugo ai: topics: ["data-pp","tcp","rs-232","alarm-system","security","zone-monitoring","arming"] questions: ["How does a Paradox alarm communicate with TapHome?","Can TapHome arm and disarm a Paradox Digiplex EVO alarm?","How do I set up the Paradox PRT3 module for home automation?","What do I need to connect a Paradox EVO panel to TapHome over the network?","Which user code should TapHome use for a Paradox alarm?","Does the PRT3 template work with Paradox Spectra SP or Magellan MG?"] --- # Paradox Digiplex EVO via PRT3 (TCP) Communication: Packet Parser → TCP - [Paradox Official Website](https://www.paradox.com) - [PRT3 ASCII Protocol Programming Instructions (ASCII-EP01, PDF)](https://www.paradox.com/Downloader/?T=URL&URL=%2FDocumentation%2FManuals%2FInstallationProgramming%2FASCII-EP01.pdf) The Paradox EVO PRT3 template connects a Paradox Digiplex EVO alarm panel to TapHome through the PRT3 module and the official ASCII protocol of Paradox. The PRT3 sits on the combus of the panel and offers the protocol on its 9-pin serial port. An RS-232-to-Ethernet converter makes that port reachable on the local network, and TapHome connects to the converter over TCP — no computer is needed in between. The template shows the arming state of one area and arms or disarms it with a user code, shows four zones with their warnings and one virtual PGM, and shows an error when the PRT3 loses the panel. The PRT3 is a home automation interface only for Digiplex EVO panels. For Spectra SP and Magellan MG panels, use the community template [Paradox Alarm Panels via PAI (MQTT)](https://taphome.com/en/compatibility/paradox-pai-mqtt/). > [!WARNING] > **Community template — not yet tested with TapHome on a real panel.** The template was written from the official Paradox ASCII protocol manual (ASCII-EP01) and tested only against a simulated PRT3 on a local TapHome Core 2025.2, not on a real Digiplex EVO panel with a real PRT3 and converter. Verify it on your installation before you rely on it for security; feedback from the field is welcome. Download the XML on this page, or get it from the TapHome portal: [Paradox EVO via PRT3 — community template](https://portal.taphome.com/portal/community/paradox-evo-prt3-tcp), and import it as a new module. **[Paradox Digiplex EVO through the PRT3 module (official ASCII protocol over TCP)](https://portal.taphome.com/en/portal/community/paradox-evo-prt3-tcp)** — Paradox, TCP/UDP. Paradox EVO panels through the PRT3 module and an RS-232 to Ethernet converter, with the official Paradox ASCII protocol: area arming with a user code, four zones with alarm, tamper, supervision and low-battery warnings, one virtual PGM. > [!DANGER] > **Security: the user code is stored in TapHome and travels unencrypted.** The PRT3 arms and disarms only with a user code, and the template sends that code with every arming and disarming command. The code is stored in the TapHome configuration and travels in clear text over the local network between the TapHome Core and the converter. Create a separate user in the panel for TapHome, limited to the areas TapHome controls, and use its code — never the master code. ## Supported panels | Panel | Requirement | |---|---| | Digiplex EVO48, EVO96, EVO192, EVOHD | PRT3 (or BUS2SER) in home automation mode with the ASCII protocol | | DGP-848 | version 4.11 or newer | | DGP-NE96 | version 1.60 or newer | Spectra SP and Magellan MG panels have no official home automation interface — see [Paradox Alarm Panels via PAI (MQTT)](https://taphome.com/en/compatibility/paradox-pai-mqtt/). ## Hardware connection - **PRT3 to the panel:** connect the four terminals of the PRT3 (red, black, green, yellow) to the combus terminals of the panel. - **Converter to the PRT3:** connect the RS-232 side of the converter to the 9-pin serial port of the PRT3 — not to the parallel port or the USB port. - **Converter to the network:** set the converter to TCP server mode with a fixed IP address and a TCP port. TapHome connects to it as a TCP client and keeps the connection open. Serial parameters are 8N1 (8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit). The converter has to use exactly the same baud rate as the PRT3 — with a different baud rate TapHome receives nothing. ## Configuration ### Home automation mode of the PRT3 Program the PRT3 from a keypad of the panel: 1. Press and hold **[0]** and enter the installer code. 2. Enter section **[4003]** on EVO panels, or **[953]** on DGP-848 panels. 3. Enter the 8-digit serial number of the PRT3. 4. Enter section **[016]** (serial port options) and set: | Option | Setting | Meaning | |---|---|---| | [1] | ON | Serial port enabled | | [4] | ON | Home automation (not event reporting) | | [5] and [6] | OFF and OFF | ASCII protocol (not C-Bus) | | [2] and [3] | as in the PRT3 manual | Baud rate: 2400, 9600, 19200 or 57600 bps — set the same rate on the converter | The PRT3 can also be programmed with the WinLoad software (version 2.62 or newer) or with the module broadcast feature of the panel. ### Virtual PGM The virtual PGM of the template is a virtual PGM of the PRT3, not a physical PGM output of the panel. Program it in the PRT3 with the panel events that switch it on and off (sections [100] to [399], ten sections per virtual PGM), so that the PRT3 sends its state to TapHome. ### User for TapHome Create a separate user in the panel for TapHome, give it access only to the areas TapHome arms and disarms, and enter its code (4 to 6 digits) at import. The template sends this code with every arming and disarming command, so the parameter must not stay empty. ### Import parameters | Import parameter | Description | Default | |---|---|---| | IP address of the converter | IP address of the RS-232-to-Ethernet converter in TCP server mode | `192.168.1.100` | | TCP port of the converter | TCP port of the converter | `4001` | | Area number | Area in the panel, three digits (`001` to `008`) | `001` | | Zone 1–4 numbers | Zones in the panel, three digits (`001` to `192`) | `001` … `004` | | Virtual PGM number | Virtual PGM of the PRT3, two digits (`01` to `30`) | `01` | | User code | Code of the panel user created for TapHome | (empty) | For more areas or zones, import the template again with other numbers and delete the devices you do not need. Each import opens its own TCP connection, so check that the converter accepts more than one. ## Device capabilities ### Area Shows the state of the area and arms or disarms it. | State | When selected in TapHome | |---|---| | Disarmed | disarms the area with the user code | | Armed | arms the area | | Force Armed | force arms the area | | Armed Stay | arms the area in Stay mode | | Armed Instant | arms the area in Instant mode | | Alarm | sends nothing — the state only shows an alarm reported by the panel | After each command the template asks for the state of the area again. The Area device shows a warning when the panel refused the last arming or disarming command (usually a wrong user code), when the area has a trouble and when an alarm is in memory. When the TapHome Core starts, the template sends no arming or disarming command — the area takes its state from the next answer of the panel. ### Zones 1–4 Each zone shows whether it is closed or open; a tampered zone and a zone with a fire loop trouble count as not closed. Warnings show when the zone is in alarm, in fire alarm, tampered, has a fire loop trouble, has lost supervision or has a low battery. Each warning stays until the panel reports the zone as OK. ### Virtual PGM Shows the state of one virtual PGM of the PRT3. The state changes only when the PRT3 reports a change; the protocol has no request for the state of a virtual PGM, so after a start of the TapHome Core the device has no value until the next change. TapHome does not switch the virtual PGM. ### Module The template asks for the state of the area and the four zones every 5 seconds. The module shows an error when the PRT3 reports that it has lost communication with the panel, and clears it when the communication is back. When the converter is not reachable, TapHome shows the usual connection error of the module. ### Not in the template - **Panic and smoke detector reset** — left out on purpose: emergency, medical and fire panic would trigger a real alarm report. - **Zone bypass and direct control of physical PGM outputs** — the PRT3 does not support them. - **Zone and area labels** — the template uses numbers only. - **Virtual inputs and utility keys** of the PRT3. ## Troubleshooting ### No values in TapHome Check that the converter is reachable at the IP address and port from the import, that the converter and the PRT3 use the same baud rate, and that section [016] has options [1] and [4] ON and options [5] and [6] OFF. ### Arming or disarming does nothing A warning on the Area device that the panel refused the command means a wrong user code, or a user without access to the area. Check the code of the TapHome user and its areas in the panel. ### Module error about the communication with the panel The PRT3 lost the combus connection to the panel. Check the wiring of the four combus terminals. ### A zone shows the wrong state Check that the zone number from the import is the number of the zone in the panel, always with three digits (zone 5 is `005`). ## Available devices Paradox PRT3 Module Custom Variables `AreaNum` (string) Number of the area in the panel, three digits (001 to 008) Enter the area number with three digits (area 1 = 001) as the import parameter Area number. `Zone1Num` (string) Number of zone 1 in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) `Zone2Num` (string) Number of zone 2 in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) `Zone3Num` (string) Number of zone 3 in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) `Zone4Num` (string) Number of zone 4 in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) `PgmNum` (string) Number of the virtual PGM programmed in the PRT3, two digits (01 to 30) Program the virtual PGM in the PRT3 (activation and deactivation event) and enter its number with two digits (01) as the import parameter Virtual PGM number. `UserCode` (string) User code of a separate panel user created for TapHome (4 to 6 digits), not the master code; it is sent in clear text with every arming and disarming command Create a separate user in the panel for TapHome, limited to the areas TapHome controls, and enter its code as the import parameter User code. Do not use the master code. Area Multi-value Switch State of one area of the panel and arming or disarming it with the user code; Alarm is only shown and sends nothing enum ascii Values / States: Disarmed · Armed · Force Armed · Armed Stay · Armed Instant · Alarm Zone 1 Reed Contact Read-only Closed or open state of one zone of the panel, with warnings for alarm, fire alarm, tamper, fire loop trouble, supervision lost and low battery boolean ascii Variable: `ZoneNum` — Number of the zone in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) Zone 2 Reed Contact Read-only Closed or open state of one zone of the panel, with warnings for alarm, fire alarm, tamper, fire loop trouble, supervision lost and low battery boolean ascii Variable: `ZoneNum` — Number of the zone in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) Zone 3 Reed Contact Read-only Closed or open state of one zone of the panel, with warnings for alarm, fire alarm, tamper, fire loop trouble, supervision lost and low battery boolean ascii Variable: `ZoneNum` — Number of the zone in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) Zone 4 Reed Contact Read-only Closed or open state of one zone of the panel, with warnings for alarm, fire alarm, tamper, fire loop trouble, supervision lost and low battery boolean ascii Variable: `ZoneNum` — Number of the zone in the panel, three digits (001 to 192) Virtual PGM Reed Contact Read-only State of one virtual PGM of the PRT3, switched on and off by the panel events programmed for it; it only reports to TapHome boolean ascii **Connection:** Packet Parser → TCP Possible improvements (8) - Emergency, medical and fire panic — Left out on purpose: a panic command triggers a real alarm report. - Smoke detector reset — Left out on purpose. - Virtual inputs 1–16 — TapHome could open and close virtual inputs of the PRT3 to trigger actions in the panel; not in the template. - Zone, area and user labels — The panel returns 16-character labels; the template uses numbers only. - Utility keys — Utility key commands of the PRT3, not in the template. - System events — The PRT3 sends live events (zone open, arming, alarm); the template reads states by polling every 5 s instead. - Zone bypass and direct control of physical PGM outputs — The PRT3 ASCII protocol has no command for either. - More areas and zones — The template has one area, four zones and one virtual PGM. Import it again with other numbers for more; the converter usually accepts one TCP client, so check whether it allows a second connection. ## Sources - Paradox APR-PRT3 Printer Module — ASCII Protocol Programming Instructions (ASCII-EP01) [www.paradox.com](https://www.paradox.com/Downloader/?T=URL&URL=%2FDocumentation%2FManuals%2FInstallationProgramming%2FASCII-EP01.pdf) 2026-11-04 ## Related Documentation - [Packet Parser Integration](https://taphome.com/en/compatibility/packet-parser-guide/) - [Packet Parser (HTTP, TCP, UDP, FTP, MQTT)](https://taphome.com/en/docs/integration/packet-parser/) - [Packet parser functions](https://taphome.com/en/docs/script/packet-parser/) - [Parsing functions](https://taphome.com/en/docs/script/parsing-functions/)