Which of these new HA technologies do you own?

[The Pod]

Do those switches have 2 way status?

John

All Z-Wave modules do not support a true 2-way meaning that if you control them locally, they send out a signal of their change. There are transmitter switches available, but they only transmit to the device you link them to.

However, all Z-Wave modules are 2-Way in that a controller can poll them for their status. If you were to use these types of switches and HS, you would need to set the polling status for each them to 1 sec. (default is every 5 minutes). That way, if someone turned the light switch on/off/dim at the switch itself, HS would be notified of the change in switch status through polling function and could set the device status correctly and execute and event or trigger based upon the change.

However I was told from HST that you don't want to set all your Z-Wave devices to 1 sec because the system would be too busy polling for status that it could slow down. I do not have nor could not get HST to recommend a number of modules vs. polling times. I currently run two Z-Wave wall switches which are polled every sec. and don't see any slow down issues on the HS pc. Since I don't use any Z-Wave remotes, the other plugin lamp and appliance modules I poll every 3-5 min just to make sure they are still operational or just in case someone unplugged them or turned them on/off locally.

Hope this helps answer your question.

The Pod

 

[Rupp]

Pod,
I have several of my Z-Wave switches polled but I find there are several I really do not care about the status. Like my bathroom fan I poll every 5 minutes and shut it off after 45 minutes. Others I poll at the 5 minute default.

 

[jwilson56]

Anyone here have the Intermatic Z-Wave In-Wall Dimmer Switch - HA06C? Can you describe the quality of the switch? Some have said they are off white also... any comments?

Thanks

John

 

[Bruce L]

I have about 20 x10 devices, 12 zwave and just got 2 UPB devices. I am very disappointed in zwave but that because I have a 1970's house with metal electrical boxes that block the signal. Also I have lost one zwave switch (need to send that back). Overall I hope UPB is more satisfying that zwave has been.

 

[mbreeden]

jwilson:

I have 4 of those devices. The build is nice but the color is not white. It is not almond either. It is impossible to find a face plate that matches it. Other then the color they work great. The only major difference between them and the Act/homepro is that the dim rate is slower (which I like) and when HS polls the device the green LED flashes (neat). I have not noticed that on the HP/ACT models.

edit: I have about 25 z-wave devices. Mostly Homepro/ACT.

 

[ChrisWalker]

Do those switches have 2 way status?

John

All Z-Wave modules do not support a true 2-way meaning that if you control them locally, they send out a signal of their change. There are transmitter switches available, but they only transmit to the device you link them to

I know this is a brand new thing in the Z-Wave world, but there are now a few Z-Wave devices on the market which send out their status in real-time (without being polled).

The first type is motion sensors, which obviously send out their status in real-time.

The second type, as I'm told, is thermostats. ACT indicated that their new thermostat actually sends out temperature updates, etc. in real time.

Additionally, there are powered receptacles coming onto the market which I understand should be able to send their status in real-time.

As far as sending status in real-time from a light switch, none of the manufacturers have released products so far which support this--but it's up to them to do so. I know there's been a lot of talk about it, and the ZigBee camp is apparently doing such, so I imagine that it won't be too long before the dust settles on that issue as well.

Chris

 

[Rupp]

I thought the reason the switch's didn't send status was a patient issue not a hardware issue.

 

[The Pod]

I thought the reason the switch's didn't send status was a patient issue not a hardware issue.

That's what I was originally told too, Rupp. However when Jeff Bovee from Intermatic demostrated the Pro line modules, several devices updated their status based upon another device being controlled locally. When questioned about this, he said they found a way around it, but would not disclose any more information at that time. Its been over 6 months since I first seen the prototypes of the INTERMATIC Pro line, and so far I haven't heard of any scheduled release dates for them. I do know that the outlet and screw-in modules of their standard line have been pushed out again to Nov. 05 and Feb. 06.

The Pod

 

[ChrisWalker]

Its been over 6 months since I first seen the prototypes of the INTERMATIC Pro line, and so far I haven't heard of any scheduled release dates for them.  I do know that the outlet and screw-in modules of their standard line have been pushed out again to Nov. 05 and Feb. 06.   

The Pod,

I spoke with Jeff about the product line and they are planning on having the Pro switches out by January.

I got to play with the switches "live" and in the wall at CEDIA last week. And you're very right--it's very cool how they communicate with each other.

Chris

 

[jrfuda]

I'm really surprised you did not include the finglonger as an option....

although it's not invented until the year 3000....