Hi, between upb and zwave whats the best way to go, i have the neutral cable in all my electric installation, so that wont be a problem. I was going with an omnipro 2 panel, but changed my mind about it, and going with a separate security system, dsc maybe, and a software controller like homeseer or cqc, what the pro and cons about upb and zwave, thanks
help deciding lighting switch technologies
- Thread starter milll36
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fcwilt
Active Member
I find UPB much easier to configure (using UPstart) then Z-wave products but that's just me. Both work well when done correctly. Both can be susceptible to interference, UPB to power line noise, Z-wave to RF "noise". In my home both worked just fine. I settled on UPB.
I would still go with an ELK or HAI panel, they are fine security systems and the automation features can be ignored or (as in my case) used in conjunction with another home automation system. I have a HomeLogic automation system and use an ELK M1 unit for security and automation support. For example I use an ELK relay board (has inputs and outputs) to control my garage doors. The HomeLogic system can directly control the ELK relays and act upon changes in the state of the ELK inputs.
I would still go with an ELK or HAI panel, they are fine security systems and the automation features can be ignored or (as in my case) used in conjunction with another home automation system. I have a HomeLogic automation system and use an ELK M1 unit for security and automation support. For example I use an ELK relay board (has inputs and outputs) to control my garage doors. The HomeLogic system can directly control the ELK relays and act upon changes in the state of the ELK inputs.
Rupp
Senior Member
I would say go with both. UPB is easy to setup and Z-Wave offers a few more choices. The fact to remember is that Z-Wave is a mesh technology so you need a minimum mesh for it to work correctly. With Z-Wave you also have better choices to add on to your system like water sensors, Schlage door locks, motion sensors, light sensors, door sensors, temp/humidity sensors, etc. Just make sure you controlling environment works with multiple controllers so you can enjoy the best that each protocol offers.
Centralite's Jetstream product is also pretty nice IMHO. It is Zigbee based. While Zigbee and Z-Wave may look similar, they are very different systems that do not work together.
Jetstream is also super simple to set up via a USB stick. You do everything from a single computer - no programming each switch individually at the switch.
The only downside might be available equipment, but they offer a couple of different types of switches as well as a lamp module and motion detector. They added a few devices a couple of months ago, so they are clearly still developing products which is always a good sign.
Jetstream is also super simple to set up via a USB stick. You do everything from a single computer - no programming each switch individually at the switch.
The only downside might be available equipment, but they offer a couple of different types of switches as well as a lamp module and motion detector. They added a few devices a couple of months ago, so they are clearly still developing products which is always a good sign.
programmergeek
Active Member
I would go with HAI upb since it will report back t the pannel it's status and it is a solid set up.
Doesn't Zwave report its status back? I've also seen that some Zwave switches will report the current going through it for power monitoring.
Neurorad
Senior Member
Today, someone was explaining the HAI TCP/IP polling method, at remotecentral.com. I suspect it's an HAI employee ('new' member there).
What devices, besides HAI touchscreens, use the HAI TCP/IP network? Any lighting technologies?
Apparently, the HAI TCP/IP network doesn't use continuous polling. Here's the thread, RC member Boogereater chimes in on page 2 with the HAI details:
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboar...hread.cgi?20088
What devices, besides HAI touchscreens, use the HAI TCP/IP network? Any lighting technologies?
Apparently, the HAI TCP/IP network doesn't use continuous polling. Here's the thread, RC member Boogereater chimes in on page 2 with the HAI details:
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboar...hread.cgi?20088
programmergeek
Active Member
As far as I know only the new touchpad, home server use tcp/ip. Stuff like the key pads door locks we run cat5 to but it really only needs 4 wire. The lighting technologys use the pre wireing I can't imagine why you would want that tcpip you would have to run a network cable to every light switch and program the ip, yuck.
As far as I know only the HAI switches, running there protocall will report the status back to the HAI pannel correctly. I got burned in a big job I put in 15 outdoor switches and lights and he wanted the led's red when the light was on, since some of the lights he couldn't see from the switch bank. Sure no problem I will use upstart to do it, configured the whole thing and sure enought the panel would not report the status of the switches correctly to the tuchpad. Wound up hard lireing a bunch of LED indicators in on my dime. Unless this has changed recenely I learned my lesson with HAI only HAO protocall with there switches. Also the slave switches led's just stay on thery don't indicate the status that is a bummer also.
As far as I know only the HAI switches, running there protocall will report the status back to the HAI pannel correctly. I got burned in a big job I put in 15 outdoor switches and lights and he wanted the led's red when the light was on, since some of the lights he couldn't see from the switch bank. Sure no problem I will use upstart to do it, configured the whole thing and sure enought the panel would not report the status of the switches correctly to the tuchpad. Wound up hard lireing a bunch of LED indicators in on my dime. Unless this has changed recenely I learned my lesson with HAI only HAO protocall with there switches. Also the slave switches led's just stay on thery don't indicate the status that is a bummer also.
twilo123
Active Member
the zwave protocol allows for status updates. how a particular HA hardware/software implements the feature set is up to them. for instance in our zwave iphone app we use the leviton serial controller which in this case we have to do polling for status updates. simply put though we poll device status after you execute a command to double check and poll on a x amount of seconds basis for general status updates.
i know the vizia rf+ uses an auto update status for it's product line.
i have not personally run into RF interference issues although zwave is on 900mhz. i have had nodes flake out though and have had to replace them. i have seen 1 bad node through off a whole network some times. once it is removed and the network optimized everything is back to normal. just my personal experience on that part.
i know the vizia rf+ uses an auto update status for it's product line.
i have not personally run into RF interference issues although zwave is on 900mhz. i have had nodes flake out though and have had to replace them. i have seen 1 bad node through off a whole network some times. once it is removed and the network optimized everything is back to normal. just my personal experience on that part.
Both Technologies are very reliable - I went with Z-Wave for my automation as I have no common neutral in the boxes in my house(1960) - started out with six to 9 devices(Leviton Vizia RF) in a 3000 sq ft environment. Didn't seem to have any RF Interference - network worked well and was fast from beginning. Leviton is one of the manufacturers that have "instant-status" 2 way communication in their devices. Now have almost 60 devices including Thermostats, Motion Sensors and D/W Sensors. Network is still fast - I am utilizing at least a half dozen different manufacturers "Products that speak Z-Wave work together better" - I find that statement very true. Today there is over a 150 manufacturers utilizing Z-Wave in their products.
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