FAQ
FAQ
Quick answers to frequently asked questions about the Zone Configurator.
General Questions
Can I use Zone Configurator with non-Everything Presence devices?
No. Zone Configurator is designed specifically for Everything Presence Pro, Lite (EPL), and One (EP1) devices. It relies on specific entity structures and firmware features from these devices.
Can I use Zone Configurator without Home Assistant?
No. Zone Configurator requires Home Assistant to communicate with your devices. It uses the Home Assistant API to read sensor data and write zone configurations.
Does Zone Configurator work with Home Assistant Core?
Yes! Zone Configurator supports two deployment methods:
As an Add-on (Home Assistant OS / Supervised)
Install directly from the add-on store
Automatically configured, no setup required
Accessible via the sidebar
As a Docker Container (Home Assistant Core / Container)
Run Zone Configurator as a standalone Docker container
Provide your Home Assistant URL and a long-lived access token
Access via
http://your-server:42069
See the Installation page for setup instructions.
Is Zone Configurator free?
Yes. Zone Configurator is free and open source.
Device Questions
What's the difference between Pro, EPL, and EP1 in Zone Configurator?
Feature | Pro | EPL | EP1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Multi-target tracking | ✓ Up to 3 targets | ✓ Up to 3 targets | ✗ |
Zone creation | ✓ 4 zones + 2 exclusion | ✓ 4 zones + 2 exclusion | ✗ |
Entry/Exit detection | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Static presence (25m) | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Distance measurement | ✓ Per target | ✓ Per target | ✓ Single-point |
Heatmap | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Trail recording | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Temperature sensor | ✓* | ✗ | ✓ |
Humidity sensor | ✓* | ✗ | ✓ |
PIR motion sensor | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Illuminance sensor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Room Builder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Pro temperature/humidity may be less accurate due to internal component heat
See Device-Specific Features for full details.
Can I use multiple devices in Zone Configurator?
Yes. You can configure multiple Pro, EPL, and EP1 devices, each in their own room. Use the room selector to switch between them.
Why doesn't my EP1 show zones?
EP1 uses a different mmWave sensor (SEN0609/SEN0395) that provides single-point distance detection rather than X/Y coordinate tracking. Without coordinates, zone detection isn't possible. For zones, use a Pro or EPL.
Does the Pro work the same as the EPL for zones?
Yes! The Pro includes the same LD2450 tracking sensor as the EPL, so all zone and tracking features work identically. The Pro also adds the static presence sensor (like EP1), PIR, environmental sensors, and more.
Zone Questions
How many zones can I create?
Pro and EPL support:
4 detection zones - Trigger occupancy when targets enter
2 exclusion masks - Ignore targets in specific areas
2 entry/exit zones - Track directional presence (EPL only)
What's the difference between rectangular and polygon zones?
Rectangular zones: Simple box shapes defined by corner coordinates
Polygon zones: Complex shapes with multiple vertices, useful for L-shaped areas or angled rooms
Both work the same way for detection - polygons just offer more flexibility in shape. Enable polygon mode in Settings to use polygon zones.
What are exclusion masks for?
Exclusion masks (also called occupancy masks) tell the sensor to ignore detections in specific areas. Common uses:
Windows (ignore people walking by outside)
Areas with moving objects (fans, curtains)
Pet zones you want to exclude
Areas detected through thin walls
Do zones persist after power loss?
Yes. Zones are stored in the device's configuration and persist across restarts and power cycles.
Tracking Questions
Why do target positions seem offset?
Common causes:
Device position wrong - Update the device position in Room Builder to match physical installation
Rotation incorrect - Adjust the device rotation to match which way the sensor faces
Installation angle not set - If sensor is tilted up/down, set the installation angle in device settings
Can the sensor track through walls?
mmWave can sometimes detect movement through thin walls, glass, and some doors. This can cause false triggers from adjacent rooms or outside. Use exclusion masks to ignore these areas.
Why does target count show more people than are actually present?
Possible causes:
Reflections from metal or glass surfaces
Moving objects (fans, pets, curtains)
Detection through thin walls
Multiple reflections of the same person
Try reducing the max detection distance or adding exclusion masks for problem areas.
Why do targets disappear when sitting still?
The LD2450 tracking sensor (in Pro and EPL) tracks both moving and stationary targets, but very still targets may occasionally drop out. Solutions:
Enable Entry/Exit detection with Assumed Presence timeout
Ensure clear line of sight to seating areas
Check for interference from nearby electronics
With Pro: The static presence sensor (SEN0609) provides additional stationary detection
Room Builder Questions
Do I need to draw my room layout?
No, it's optional but helpful. The room layout helps you:
Visualize where zones should go
See how furniture affects detection
Understand sensor coverage
Position zones accurately
You can use Zone Configurator without a room layout.
Can I import floor plans?
Not currently. Room layouts must be drawn manually using the Room Builder tools.
Are room dimensions in metric or imperial?
Zone Configurator uses metric units:
Room Builder: centimeters (cm)
Zone coordinates: millimeters (mm)
There's currently no imperial unit option.
Data & Privacy Questions
Where is my data stored?
All configuration data is stored locally:
Room layouts and settings in the add-on data directory (or Docker volume for standalone)
Zone configurations on the device itself
No data is sent to external servers
Can I back up my configuration?
Yes. Use the Export feature in Settings to save your configuration as a JSON file. This can be imported later or transferred to a different system.
Will updating the add-on delete my data?
No. Add-on updates preserve your configuration data. Only uninstalling the add-on removes the add-on data (zone configurations on devices are unaffected).
Still Have Questions?
Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions
Discord - Community support