Zwave Automation Pros and Cons 

Thanks for producing ZWave 101. Great summary of what it is and what it does.

Well done, simple explanation, short and to the point. I’ve been using Micasa Verde/Vera for 9 years. Started with a Vera Lite and upgraded to Vera Edge last year for 2 houses. I love the fact that I can buy from so many different suppliers. Another valuable feature is the world-class support. Anytime I have an issue, I get support within 24 hours most of the time. The ability for me to set remote access to enable their ability to troubleshoot and sometimes even fix the issue themselves is priceless, especially for those that may not have a technical background. Google recently released the ability to integrate the Google Home system with Vera allowing voice control of most all z wave devices.

Just to clarify a few things: All battery devices are exempt from participating in routing - not just locks and thermostats. Locks and thermostats support beaming because they are FLiRS devices (Frequently Listing Routing Slaves), not for security (encryption) purposes - thermostats do not typically use Z-Wave's higher level security, but they still do not participate in routing IF and ONLY IF they use batteries. Thermostats powered by the "C" wire of the furnace do not need or use batteries, and they participate in routing. Size: 3,000 square feet is not accurate. There is not a practical limit to the size of the home. A Z-Wave device in open-air can transmit 100 meters, which is 328 feet. What limits this is when the signal has to go through walls and other materials. However, even through a few walls, the typical device communicates DIRECTLY with the source device and does not use routing. When you add routing and 4 hops into it, you will see that you can do some REALLY large homes. What determines how well it works is how many devices you have - if you have a large home, you need many devices to build a good mesh network; this is more true with older non Z-Wave Plus devices, but there are 6,000 and even 8,000 square feet homes being done successfully with Z-Wave. Popcorn effect is caused by consumers buying Z-Wave switches that do not support the Z-Wave Scene commands, or that have older Z-Wave controllers that were not forced to support the Z-Wave Scene Commands (Z-Wave Plus controllers should support this). With a Z-Wave Scene command, a "broadcast" (of sorts) message is sent to all of the devices in a scene, which is created ahead of time and programmed into the devices, and this allows all of the devices in that scene to react at the same time. If you do not use a scene, a controller can still use a type of Z-Wave command that can send a signal to multiple devices at once, and this too eliminates a popcorn effect. Look for devices that have the command class "Scene Activation" in the list of supported command classes at Products.Z-WaveAlliance.org - your controller should also be found there and it should have that command class in the list of "Controlled" command classes. Latency - Since most Z-Wave devices are communicated to directly, the latency is the round trip time for the command and the acknowledgement to be returned. This is less than a whopping 80ms. Not sure what you are talking about with latency! Even with four hops, the total time approaches 1 second, but is still pretty much instantaneous to humans. The Z-Wave Alliance does not regulate the manufacturers, it is a grouping of manufacturers (over 600 of them) promoting and using the Z-Wave technology. Sigma Designs, the owner of the Z-Wave technology, regulates manufacturers by requiring interoperability certification before any product can be commercially sold; this means that the device is required to work with devices from other manufacturers. This is one of the key things about Z-Wave - some people do not like that the protocol is not open inside the chip, but if it were, then anybody could create Z-Wave devices without having to make sure they were certified. There are about 80% as many Z-Wave products certified for the CEPT (European) market as the United States/Canada/Mexico frequency - Z-Wave STARTED in Copenhagen (Europe) and so it is quite popular there; automating homes is what is not as popular in Europe. ;-)

Thank you. Your video showed me that z-wave is not for me at time. You could have saved me a lot of money and pain.

Tyler - Good job! It's worth mentioning that some of the issues you've highlighted are specific to the main controllers being used. For example, the "Size" limitation is only a limitation for a single Z-Wave network. With larger houses (including houses with outbuildings), you can extend the range (and maximum number of devices) by adding more Z-Wave interfaces (like our Z-NET). Latency and the "Popcorn" effect can also be minimized (dramatically) by using a controller with a fast CPU that processes all automation functions locally. Latency in our HomeTrollers is typically measured in milliseconds; NOT seconds! Remotely managed "smart hubs" tend to have the biggest latency since automation functions are processed off-site on a shared web service.

Great job!

Amazing video, thank you

A great overview to help decide if z wave will be a good fit for your application.

What is the distance range between operator and devices

Your comment about Z-wave traveling at the speed of sound confused me. Are you talking about the data rate of the Z-wave protocol on top of the RF link?

Good video, thanks. I do have a few comments concerning distance limits of the Z-Wave mesh network. In my experience, even without using the mesh network, with most devices (I have tested/used dozens in 3 different Smart Home installations), Z-Wave does support distances of 50 to 100 feet depending on the environment. Also, latency issues seem to have more to do with the controller type and its configuration (cloud based or local control based, devices used in the automation, etc.). In most cases, a typical Z-Wave switch can be configured so that latency or the delay to react to a command is less than 1 second.

Thank you so much for this! I'm in the process of setting up an automated home and this was very useful.

Very helpful. I'm adding a few zwave switches soon and I feel like I understand the limitations of where I can place them. My GE (Jasco) smart switch is "zwave plus"... what does plus designate? Thank you.

Good information. Thank you for sharing. Have been curious for a while, how do you know what items on z-wave work with a certain system? I have pulse and when I called adt they had referred me to their webpage which list a pretty dull amount of compatible devices for the system. When you call a manufacturer they tell you it should work but it doesn’t. Is there a way to determine what zwave item works with my system before buying it? I have purchased 4 additional cameras, one plug module, and 2 light switch modules that do work, but the only way I found those was because I already had one of each provided by adt at install. No way, I’d buy additional from them because the mark up is outrageous. I bought a aeotec switch and it is noticed by my adt system but will not turn on or off by command through the adt system. I’d like to capitalize on the lower cost items but can’t determine if they will work or not prior to purchase.

Zwaves mesh network is key with improving range.

I need help choosing a good repeater for my ST system. I have the first gen system from samsung and I just moved to a 1500sqft home and having issues with some devices in the garage, mainly is a outlet that I need it to work, but the garage door sensor works and a ge light bulb works, very strange. I have added 2 "repeaters" but I dont think they are doing a good job. I got one from Inovelli which also has an outlet and Remotec ZRP-100NA. Whats your take on this? Thanks.

After listening to your video I have decided "Not to go with Z-Wave". My house is 3500 ft.² and made of concrete and rebar. I also have a wireless phone system that could be a megahertz range that might interfere. Even Wi-Fi has been a challenge for me but with repeaters I have that pretty much under control. The big reason I was considering Z-Wave is when you lose Internet connection your Wi-Fi devices cannot be changed but Z-Wave would continue working without Internet . So for these reasons I will probably make most of my light switches and dimmer switches manual as well as Wi-Fi. It also seems that Wi-Fi devices are even more available and priced a little better than Z-Wave. I just hope that the Wi-Fi devices will be reliable. Reg Thanks for your video it helped immensely with my buying decision.

You seem to not like zwave much and zigbee so whats your gold standard/preferred method of home automation?

Tyler, I have been using z-wave since the first chip set and now have almost an entire house based on zwave plus. The range issue you mention might be relevant but I can tell you in my home that has a perimeter of 50-70 feet and interoperates on living and basement levels. My controller is centrally located (more or less) and of my 90 zwave deivces all but 2 are direct to the z-net zwave controller.

I am setting up a home automation system . Intending to purchase Fibaro Controller. kindly advice me on the limitations, how stable is Z- wave. I am looking for a non cloud based System. kindly advice how far I can go with this controller too in terms of expansion if u have ever used it or have an idea about it and of course its credibility

I want to purchase a new Garage Door Controller to work with my existing Chamberlin garage door opener. I have AT & T digital life security system. Which Controller should I buy?

When you say limited to 4 hops, does that mean I can only control 4 separate devices in my home?

I would put price in the cons category - its so expensive as compared to zigbee. How long does the battery last for z-wave devices? I read somewhere its 10 years? really? Please make a video about "zigbee pros and cons" - thank you

Price seems to be a little steep when comparing to Wifi Based devices, thus more like a cons.

Stopped watching at "Radio travels at the speed of sound" otherwise decent info.

For crying out loud put the caps back on your markers or they'll dry out!!