z-wave 3 way switches with conventional 3 ways

[Bzncrewjr]

So I'm trying out z-wave because Smart Things and Alexa seems to play well together.
 
I bought a GE z-wave dimmer and learned the hard way it only works on 2 way circuits unless you buy another of their z-wave slave dimmers.
 
Here's my problem.   I have a TON of 3way and 4way circuits I want to automate with z-wave.  Many I just want on/off (no dimming) functionality tied to some automation and Alexa.
 
I'm unable to find a solution that replaces a 3-way switch with a z-wave switch and keeps all my other 3-way/4-way switches in the circuit.   
 
My electrician put in some dimmers on these 3-way/4-way circuits.  I'd LOVE to replace the dimmer with a z-way dimmer. 
 
So WHO MAKES one of these?   Without buying the slaves?
 
--Russ

 

[Sparkman1]

You could use the Aeotec Micro Switch with the 3/4 way switches: http://aeotec.com/support/1219-micro-switch-wiring-schematics.html.  They have dimming versions as well.
 
I don't believe there are any "normal" zwave switches that work with regular switches for 3/4 way circuits.  They all require special switches. The remote switches for the Leviton Vizia RF+ zwave switches are pretty cheap compared to other brands of slave switches, so those could be an option for you as well, but can only be used with Leviton zwave switches, so you would have to replace the GE.
 
Cheers
Al

 

[Bzncrewjr]

Sounds like I have to learn 3 way (low voltage) re-wiring of my existing 3/4 way switches.  Oy.    I was hoping for a simple 3way dimmer replacement that supported zwave  (or UPB or whatever I need to automate with my SmartThings).

 

[vc1234]

Sounds like I have to learn 3 way (low voltage) re-wiring of my existing 3/4 way switches.  Oy.    I was hoping for a simple 3way dimmer replacement that supported zwave  (or UPB or whatever I need to automate with my SmartThings).

There used to be a zwave switch  made compatible with existing 3/4-way wiring, intermatic 18c:
 
https://www.smarthome-products.com/productspecs/HA18C-manual.pdf
 
I do not think they are made any more.
 
Another option, as mentioned, would be a Leviton main switch + auxiliary combo.  The leviton main+aux used to cost less than a GE combo.  As I recall the aux is about $5-7, and you can set up both 3 and 4 way connection using existing wiring:
 
http://cache-m2.smarthome.com/manuals/45077-ins.pdf
 
The aeon miniswitch has been known to fail when wired with high voltage connected to the control terminals (as depicted on one of their wiring diagrams),  it should work with a simple contact closure.

 

[Bzncrewjr]

Of course the ONE circuit I really want to automate has 3 physical switches.  So that means I need to learn 4-way circuits and I assume how it's wired.
Is there a standard electrical code for this sort of thing that I can assume the electrician followed?
 
I mean, can I just disconnect the RED and use that for a low voltage traveler or will I fry my new z-wave "slaves" if I'm not careful?  I was hoping for a simple switch replacement and go solutions.
 
--Russ

 

[vc1234]

Is there a standard electrical code for this sort of thing that I can assume the electrician followed?

There is a sort of convention:
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiway_switching
 
But, you should always verify what the actual wiring is if you are comfortable doing 120V work. Otherwise, it may be prudent to outsource this sort of work.
 
An economically reasonable way, in my opinion, would be to get a Leviton main DZS15 switch or a similar dimmer and add two Leviton aux switches to get a 4 way arrangement.
 
A better but more expensive way would be to get a main dimmer and a couple companions/auxiliaries that can establish a zwave association(s), e.g. a Linear combo:
 
https://community.smartthings.com/t/linear-3-way-led-dimmer/6160/2
 
In this case, existing 3way wiring does not matter because the aux switches communicate over zwave and can be installed anywhere where 120V is available.

 

[Bzncrewjr]

Thanks for this.    I'm fairly comfortable with 120v wiring.   Getting our electrician back here is very difficult.   We have a couple of 3-ways that aren't working and I will probably fix them myself.
 
The Leviton switches with aux aren't terribly expensive.   
 
The Smart Things/Alexa app is so cool.   I feel like my house is Star Trek.  "Alexa, turn on the living room overheads".  "Alex, Dim living room overheads 50%".  Way cool.
Next up, linking my Omni box with them.
 
 

There is a sort of convention:
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiway_switching
 
But, you should always verify what the actual wiring is if you are comfortable doing 120V work. Otherwise, it may be prudent to outsource this sort of work.
 
An economically reasonable way, in my opinion, would be to get a Leviton main DZS15 switch or a similar dimmer and add two Leviton aux switches to get a 4 way arrangement.
 
A better but more expensive way would be to get a main dimmer and a couple companions/auxiliaries that can establish a zwave association(s), e.g. a Linear combo:
 
https://community.smartthings.com/t/linear-3-way-led-dimmer/6160/2
 
In this case, existing 3way wiring does not matter because the aux switches communicate over zwave and can be installed anywhere where 120V is available.