UPB - work in a "320" install?

[syspig]

Apologies in advance for the lack of clue. It's been a while since I installed my UPB system back in 2015 when we built our home. Part of the reason for my fuzziness is the fact it has just plain worked since day one, so I've had very little need to fire up the laptop to modify a thing. Basically, I've tweaked it a few times to add "all off" to a couple new switch locations - and that's it. Being a retired IT professional, one might think I'd enjoy geeking out on my lighting options - but I'm totally content to have as little complexity there as possible. I love that UPB has been a technology that "just works", with zero need for constant babysitting. I just want to hit a switch and have it do as expected, and in that respect - it's been awesome. No servers to maintain, no updates, nothing.

Fast forward to today, and I'm undertaking a significant remodel that has me searching for lighting solutions. In doing so, I'm now discovering there's but one remaining vendor in the UPB landscape. I'm loathe to switch horses when the system has worked so well for me, so I'm hoping to forge ahead with new UPB switches as needed.

The potential wrinkle: I've no idea how common my electrical installation is, but it's different than I've seen elsewhere. I'm located in WA State, and a common electrical service is called "320". Basically, from my layman's understanding - it's a pair of 200A feeds behind a single meter, but it's never expected to draw more than 320A. It's typically used in a situation like mine, where a home is fed by one 200A feed and a remote building/shop/ADU is fed by another 200A feed.

Before I invest in more expensive UPB switches, I'm hoping to get confirmation from others who have worked in similar environments. So...

• All of my UPB switches are SA. Should I expect any incompatibility/differences if bringing PCS switches into the picture?
  
  
• Does anyone have any experience with using UPB in the 320 service as described above? That is, will it operate across the pair of 200A feeds? The meter which feeds both of the 200A services is roughly 150' from the home. From there, it's another 125' via the second 200A feed to the remote shop where I'd like to install more UPB switches. The intent being, if not obvious - that switches in either location can control lighting in the other building.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[bbrendon]

I have all SA except for two HAI devices. Next project I'll skip UPB because it has increased in price since the market shrank.

Do you have a phase coupler? That is the only device for saving sanity. AFAIK you can only have one.

 

[ano]

I'd look at these: Inovelli
I have the Zigbee ones and an HAI panel can even control them. You do need a coordinator, but not a big deal. Then even have switches with presence sensors. I would stay away from the Thread/Matter.

 

[pete_c]

I have SA UPB switches and they work fine these days with a UPB PCS Repeater.

I have backup SA UPB switches which will outlive me.

I am tinkering more and more with Zigbee and currently utilize two POE SMLIGHT-SLZB devices.

Should I expect any incompatibility/differences if bringing PCS switches into the picture?
No I mixed HAI, PCS and SA UPB switches in my old house.

Does anyone have any experience with using UPB in the 320 service as described above? That is, will it operate across the pair of 200A feeds?

It should work fine. Test it. Maybe a repeater will help.

I am reading more and more these days to stay away from Matter / Thread. I have noticed that the newest Tasmota firmware includes Matter these days. I am not using it or testing it at this time.

 

[syspig]

Thanks for the feedback. Zigbee might be on my RADAR some day, but for now - I'd prefer to stick with what I know and know works for my relatively simple lighting needs. I only need a handful of switches and scene controllers in the remote shop, so it's not a huge additional investment in UPB.

It occurred to me this morning that I could easily test basic UPB functionality between the two buildings without buying any new equipment. I took the laptop to the shop where I'd like to install more switches and ran Upstart with the PIM plugged in up there. All devices in the house were seen and loaded with good comms, and I was able to verify lights/scenes worked from the remote shop using Upstart.

 

[myyaz33]

As I get older, I find myself not jumping quick to other technologies and sticking with what works..

Also, I have a SA UPB starter kit with some switches and a dryer style phase coupler and PIM. I only tested it briefly before going all in on Z-wave stuff. If any of you have interest in them, let me know. I didnt even realize SA went out of business until this thread prompted some UPB research.

 

[pete_c]

Here also have stuck with UPB. It is like X10 on steroids to me. I like Tasmota WiFi. Personally did not leave any UPB switches in the last two homes. A few years ago a friend passed away and he lived near by. His wife (widow) asked me to remove all of the UPB her husband installed.