Newbie question on Z-Wave installation

Post by **abl** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:07 pm

Hi, this is my first post to this tremendous forum on home automation. I'm planning on installing a z-wave system (probably Homepro) and I have some very basic questions.
When I look at www.act-solutions.com it is not clear to me whether I only have to buy wall mounted switches or whether I also need to buy the 'in wall mounted device' (see for instance: http://www.batterielos.de/shop/product_ ... 230-V.html)...

Thanks,
ABL

Post by **EzHome** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:26 pm

Hi ABL, welcome to the forum!

The Merten device is just a normal switch, to enable z-wave on this switch you need a z-wave add-on called Merten 504644 (http://www.ezhome.nl/index.php?main_pag ... cts_id=271). Merten in-wall always needs 2 components to switch/dim and to be switched over z-wave. This kind of devices are called "nodes or slaves" and they can only receive z-wave commands and act as a router.

Nodes like the Popp (http://www.ezhome.nl/index.php?main_pag ... cts_id=224) are complete in-wall z-wave nodes and they can be operated local and over the z-wave network.

To switch these nodes you need a primary controller like HomeSeer / Vera Home Control Box / Qees Master etc. to control the nodes. In for example HomeSeer you need a device to send and receive z-wave commands like the Aeon-Labs Z-Stick / ControlThink Z-Stick / Z-troller (the other above mentioned HomeControlBoxes also use these kind of devices to enable a z-wave network)

As a secondary controller you can use a wall mounted switch or a remote control to operate the nodes or to start a scene.

Post by **abl** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:43 am

Hi,

Thanks for your clear explanation. Regarding the installation of these devices in Belgium is that easy to do for a non electrician? I checked my current wall switches; they (mostly) have two wires (two colors). When I buy these items is it easy to see how I should install them? I expect that for instance for Popp my original in-wall will be kept intact and I only have to add two wires from the current setup to the new wall switches (as they need power) or am I wrong?

Thanks,
Abl

Post by **EzHome** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:07 pm

Installation is easy, but always cut off your power before doing anything!

The Popp switch is a complete switch which replaces your current wall switch, the dimmer version is a 2-wire device and the non dimmer switch is a 3-wire device.

2-wire devices normally use a brown and a black wire, 3-wire devices use brown, black and blue wires.

If you want to keep your current switches you can use the Merten 507001 (http://www.ezhome.nl/index.php?main_pag ... cts_id=266) but notice that you need about 60/70mm to build it behind your current wall switch.
A dimmer is also available (http://www.ezhome.nl/index.php?main_pag ... cts_id=270)

Post by **abl** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:13 pm

And what to do if there are only two wires in my current (non dimmer) wall switch and the installation requires three; do I need an electrician to add a third wire?

Furthermore I have some additional questions:
(A) I would also like to have a Z-wave controlled garage door opener (and automated fence); are they available for the European market?
My problem is that my garage is about 10 meters away from my home, is this distance a problem? Can I gain something from the choice of my controller (I read somewhere on this forum that certain controllers can signal over a larger distance)?

(B) In my house I also have some (sun protecting) screens that I would like to get automated. Are these easy to control (installing but also controlling where they should stop)?

Sorry for the amount of questions but Im reading all kind of forums and brochures but I still cant figure out how this should be done.

Post by **EzHome** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:35 pm

First of all, never hesitate to ask a question!

If you only have to wires and you need a 3-wire switch you have to add the third wire (not to difficult) of let and electrician do it for you if you have no clue what you are doing.
(I know in Belgium they often use flexible tubes instead of the hard PVC onces, if you do have the flexible let the job be done by an electrician)

A) For the moment Z-Wave garage door openers aren't available in European versions, I know Wayne Dalton (http://www.wayne-dalton.com/ChainDrive.asp) has them for the US market so I have confidence there will be EU versions available in the near future. The same is for your fences....... I am also waiting for them!

B) Your sun blinds (or any other motorized device like a projector screen) can be controlled by the Popp 761 262 (http://www.ezhome.nl/index.php?main_pag ... cts_id=226) of course your sun blinds already have to be motorized.

Post by **Snelvuur** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:45 pm

ezhome: another question to add up, most of the pop pictures dont show "control knobs" the sun blinds for instance, dont show a locally controllable knob to open/close it. Same for pop dimmers though.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **EzHome** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:38 pm

@Erik,

The pictures from the Popp devices shows the different layers of the device.
The local control is just like a normal light switch, this is for all the Popp devices. They are all soft-touch buttons and they have a "wipper" what can be touched on the upper and lower part of the device.
Up means lights on / blinds or screen open - down means lights off or dim / blinds closed.
Maybe you can pm me your e-mail so I can send you some detailed pictures of the device. (still can't pm until 50 I guess?)

Post by **abl** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:48 pm

I'm quite interested in the Merten Connect series. However in my current setup I have several control switches that are 'halved' and can control two lights. What I understand from the Merten websites is that there is no such connector (except the battery controlled ones, but these are loose switches that do not connect directly to my current 'in wall switches'.
Is there any solution to this or do I misunderstand the current products? Can I also use a sensor plate and control two switches at the same time?

Post by **abl** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:04 pm

An example of the switch I would need is as is displayed in the following link:

http://www.benext.be/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=83

Anybody thoughts about this website/product or other solution?

Post by **abl** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:17 am

Anybody having some thoughts about a two pole switching solution for z-wave?

Post by **EzHome** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:12 pm

This is a common Merten impulse switch, product will be added soon to our productline.
It is actualy a 4 button remote control, two buttons up and two down.