I would like a recommendation for a three-way dimmer switch that would be used with around five hi-hat lights. It needs to be compatible with a Harmony remote. RF preferably. Will it work with the Harmony 890 or do I have to get the 890 Pro?

Any Z-Wave lighting dimmer with three-way capability and sufficient load capability will work with any Z-Wave compatible controller. You don’t say if the lights are incandescent but let’s assume they are. You can get three-Way dimmers for incandescent loads from Intermatic, Monster, Leviton, Cooper, ACT, Wayne Dalton, and GE.

In regards to the Harmony remote, Logitech is making noises about dropping their support for Z-Wave control. They use the Z-Wave technology for the link between the handheld and the remote link (LED flasher) but are having a terrible time getting their act together on a user interface for controlling Z-Wave devices.

I would recommend a Monster AVl300 instead of the Harmony 890 if you must have a complete A/V remote. You should know, however, that even the Monster AVL300 is an incomplete implementation of a Z-Wave controller and must always be used as the primary controller in the system.

Could you please explain the level of security in Z-Wave? What is the level of encryption in the protocol?

The Z-Wave technology provides for AES128 link protection. Additional security is provided by the fact that one must be in physical possession of a node to include or exclude it from a network. Most “secure” applications embed secure information frames inside the Z-Wave transport payload something like rolling code or keylock as an additional level of security.

Is there a way to program Z-Wave from Java, either via an open source project or using commercial software? I have a Z-Wave SDK from ControlThink but that only supports .NET.

I’m not aware of a commercial Java Z-Wave software product. I also haven’t seen an open source product, however, Z-Wave projects are popping all the time, so get on Google and see what you can find.

I have a Z-Wave setup with four wall switches and two lamp modules all in one room in an apartment house. At first I could activate those switches from about 30 feet away. Now I have to go into the room to make them respond. I’ve changed batteries (and more) to no avail. Any suggestions?

This is very strange, is the reduced range a constant problem or only at some specific or random intermittent times? I would think it could be interference from another 900-MHz device if it were highly intermittent in nature, however, if it is a constant problem it most likely is not an interfering signal. I recommend contacting the manufacturer of the equipment, especially the remote control manufacturer for suggestions.

I am looking for 220Vac/50Hz Z-Wave lighting control products. Can you provide the name of a manufacturer?

There are several manufacturers of Z-Wave Lighting Products for 220V/50Hz markets. Some are ACT, Merten, Innovous, Popp Duwi, Schwiger, Selexit, and Pulse.

Is there any information available about Z-Wave water leakages sensors?

There are no native Z-Wave water leakage sensors on the market at this time. There are a few under development and due out later this year.

What is the best and most reliable Z-Wave controller on the market? I am currently using mControl with a HA22 stick and it is far from reliable. I need something that can handle events and automation without constant care and feeding like reboots or restarts.

I have personally found mControl with a HA22 to be a stable and capable solution. Although there are many other software home control programs that support Z-Wave and several other serial to Z-Wave adaptors, I recommend contacting mControl and working with them.

Is there a controller that allows you the set “IF” parameters on a device? (For example: “Don’t allow the pool heater to turn on if the pump isn’t running.”)

Several of the home control platforms provide for what is call Conditional Logic. Two that you may want to consider are HomeSeer and HAI.

Mark Walters, our resident Z-Wave expert, is vice president of the Z-Wave Alliance.

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