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Updated March 2, 2009 0600am EST

I had an electrician try to install a Leviton magnetic low voltage dimmer switch, but apparently his electric supply house gave him an incandescent dimmer instead. I added the dimmer to the Vizia Z-Wave network, then the low voltage transformer fried (and I assume the dimmer did, too.) The electrician took the dimmer with him. How can I delete that dimmer node from my Z-Wave network, when it’s no longer wired and communicating with my Leviton controller? The Vizia controller needs to get a communication from the switch as part of the procedure to exclude it from the network, but it’s no longer there to communicate!

You need to use the Replace Node function. You can find this under Advanced, Network on the Leviton remote, page 20 of the Leviton VRCPG instruction sheet. This is only used if you know the faulty unit is dead and gone and will never again transmit using its original Home ID and Node ID. This Replace function allows the reuse of the Node ID so you the user must make sure you do not create a duplicate Node ID.

I have multiple Z-Wave compatible adapters and a Logitech 890 remote. Unlike some controllers that add the adapters to a network the Logitech remote doesn’t seem to do this. Do Z-Wave adapters automatically act as repeaters even if they are not part of a “network.” I hope that makes sense.

While I’m not sure what you mean by “adapters” I’m going to assume you mean Z-Wave devices that are connected to line power. That is either a plug-in module or a hard-wired in-wall device. To answer your first question the 890 might add these devices to its network. I say “might” because Logitech has stopped supporting the Z-Wave direct-to-devices portion of this product and it has never worked correctly in its production version. When it is used it must be used as the Primary Controller.

To answer your second question, no Z-Wave devices can share the same Home ID, that is, be added to the network by the same remote, before they will route (hop) messages for each other. This is different from some of the other mesh network technologies out there that will route messages outside of their home network, which prevents unnecessary congestion for devices in high density areas such as apartments and condos.

Lastly, remember battery-operated devices such as remotes and sensors do not act as repeaters in a Z-Wave network. This is because we do not want their batteries to get worn down hopping messages.

I have a small Z-Wave lighting network controlled with a HomePro controller (ZTH100). I would like to add a wall switch that would turn on an overhead light as well as send a signal to control all Z-Wave devices in the network. Is this possible with the ZTH100? Could you recommend a product that would achieve this?

You can add any Z-Wave certified light switch to control the overhead light. The ZTH100 can also control all of your lights if you add them to a single group. You can download the instruction manual from Advanced Control Technologies if you need help with this. There are no light switches that will send a command to all of your Z-Wave lights without involving another controller. A very cool product for controlling lights and for entering your home is the Wayne-Dalton Wireless Gateway that will let you trigger Z-Wave scenes using your garage door opener. You can also launch the scenes via three buttons on the front of the device.

Are there any Z-Wave thermostats that I can turn on and off remotely (in addition to adjusting the temperature remotely)?

The answer is yes, all Z-Wave thermostats, there are at least 19 of them out there, can be managed remotely. If by remotely you mean via the Internet then you will need a gateway device that connects to your home’s Internet router and provides the connection between your home’s web presence and the Z-Wave network. These gateways are available from a number of companies including; Hawking, micasaverde, Lagotek, Schlage, and others. There may be a moderate monthly fee to connect to these gateway devices.

I have an 18-foot high entryway where I would like to hang a chandelier. This would be replacing a wall light located three feet above the light switch. There is no power where I want to hang the chandelier, but I would like to use the existing switch from the wall light to control the chandelier. Pulling wire from the switch to the chandelier would be pricy and extremely difficult. I can run power to the chandelier from a supply in the attic. My question is, would Z-Wave allow me to control this chandelier remotely from the existing wall light switch or does there need to be a hard-wire connection between the switch and the chandelier?

Yes you can use Z-Wave for this type of application. First install a Z-Wave dimmer somewhere where you can access it and as close as possible to the switch location where you want to control the chandelier. This will probably be in a box in the attic where you are going to get the power for the chandelier. Then replace the existing wall switch with a Z-Wave transmitter and associate it with the dimmer you have controlling the power for the chandelier. Z-Wave makes the connection between the existing switch location and wherever you have to go to find power for the chandelier. You will need (1) Z-Wave dimmer or switch for the chandelier power, (1) in-wall single button Z-Wave dimming RF remote (transmitter) and (1) Z-Wave Controller that can set associations. I recommend purchasing all three parts from the same manufacturer, however, you can mix and match if you like.

Is there an integrated Z-Wave-controllable, horizontal blind (Venetian blind) 12 or 24Volt motor? If not, what combination of “Z-Wave to contact closure output” devices would be cost-effective where dozens are needed in a “smart home” application?

At the Z-Wave Alliance website, go to the members section and look up the following companies, Techniku, RS Scene Automation, Electronic Solutions Inc., Hunter Douglas and Somfy. I’m not sure that there is an integrated unit as most motorized shades come with a motor and then you select the type of controller you want as a add on. If you look in the Products section under Motorized Screens and Shades you will find some companies that sell the actual shades and motors.

I would like to control my DHC lighting system with my Harmony H1000 universal remote (IR). Is there a device I can use to convert IR signals to Z-wave signals used by my DHC controllers?

When you say DHC I think you are referring to Leviton’s Decora Home Controls system. This system uses power-line carrier (X10) protocol not Z-Wave protocol. There are numerous IR to X10 products out there Try looking at Smart Home.

 

Mark Walters, our resident Z-Wave expert, is a home automation consultant and the former vice president of the Z-Wave Alliance. Mark is well versed in numerous home automation technologies including CE Bus, Insteon, X10, Z-Wave, ZigBee, and KNX.