Z-Wave Frequently Asked Questions

A. Z-Wave is an industry-standard protocol that forms a wireless MESH network. This is a group of products that all communicate with each other so that the wireless signal can find the most efficient route around the network.

A. One of the reasons you would use Z-Wave is because it is a great system if you’re looking at setting up a smart home. Z-Wave allows you to control lights conventionally but also through an app or hub e.g., Amazon Echo/Google Assistant.

A. The range for Z-Wave devices is approximately up to 100 metres depending on the line of sight.

A. Yes, Z-Wave can allow you to use apps to control your lights from virtually anywhere in the world.

A. There are many compatible Z-Wave control devices that can be used which can include: motion sensors, door/window sensors, smart switches, wall panels, Z-Wave remote handsets, Light switches/Dimmer switches.

A. Yes, you will require a hub to control a Z-Wave network as this will coordinate the system and allow you to control the devices on your network.

A. No, not only can you control LED lights with Z-Wave, but you can also control mains powered lights as well using the right equipment amongst many other things.

A. You can have more than one brand in your Z-Wave network as all devices that use the Z-Wave protocol are interoperable so they will all work together.

A. Yes, you can set up lighting scenes using Z-Wave, but it can vary depending on which hub and application you are using.

A. Yes, Z-Wave can control groups of lights as one zone, this just comes down to how you set up the lights.

A. No, you don’t need to be restricted to one Z-Wave wall panel or handset for your lights. Z-Wave control devices can be set up to control several lights at once and different zones as well.

A. You will need a Hub/Controller to get started with your network and use Z-Wave.

A. Z-Wave can’t be used to control Wi-Fi or Bluetooth directly but there are certain hubs that will allow you to control several protocols including Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

A. Z-Wave is a wireless protocol so there isn't any additional wiring or cabling for controls, making set up quick and easy.

A. One of the reasons you would want to use Z-Wave instead of Wi-Fi is beacuse Wi-Fi devices will be added onto your home network router and will need to communicate directly with the router, limiting range. Z-Wave acts as a mesh network so you can get more range utilizing a Z-Wave network.

A. Yes, you can add more Z-Wave devices one you have a network set up. Z-Wave networks are scalable, and it is very easy to add more Z-Wave devices to a network.

A. No, setting up a Z-Wave network is not difficult, and most devices can be set up in minutes.

A. Yes, Z-Wave does allow the option of voice control. This mostly just comes down to the application you are using.

A. Yes, you can use Z-Wave lights in your garden as well if you don’t go out of range from the Z-Wave network.

A. If you want to increase the range on the Z-Wave network, then you just need to add more powered Z-Wave devices to the network. These devices act as nodes or repeaters, allowing you to extend the range of your network.

A. If you want to increase the range on the Z-Wave network, then you just need to add more powered Z-Wave devices to the network. These devices act as nodes or repeaters, allowing you to extend the range of your network.

A. Yes, it is possible to make your lights flash to music with Z-Wave. Certain Z-Wave applications have a sound-to-light function which will then control your lights to the music.

A. Yes, it is possible to have more than one person set up to control your Z-Wave application. It does depend on the application but there are several which will allow several users access to control the Z-Wave network if you want them to.

A. It is possible to set up permissions for a user on your Z-Wave network. A lot of applications will allow you to add a user but with limited permissions, so they don’t accidentally alter or delete your set up devices.

A. Yes, you can use more than one controller to control your lights with Z-Wave. As an example, you could use the App, a wall panel, and a handset all for the same lights.

A. Yes, it is possible to set up circadian rhythm automation in your house with Z-Wave. Z-Wave is a very useful tool for setting schedules with lighting and certain apps have a circadian rhythm function to allow you to set this up as well.

A. Yes, it is possible for Z-Wave to control your lights depending on your proximity. There are apps that will track if you’re leaving your property or returning using your phone and can control your lights as per your requirements. On top of this, there are motion sensors available too.

A. If you remove a node from your Z-Wave network, this shouldn’t cause issues. Z-Wave networks can “self-heal” and by this, they are always checking for the most efficient way to go through the network so removing a node shouldn’t cause any issues unless it causes other nodes to go out of range.

A. Z-Wave will stay operational in the event the internet does down so you can still use wall panels etc. to control the lights. However, you would lose app control if you were a distance from the Z-Wave network and out of range.

A. No Z-Wave and ZIGBEE aren’t the same. Whilst Z-Wave and ZIGBEE are both “mesh” protocols. They are not the same and operate on different frequencies to each other. You could run both protocols alongside each other if you have a multipurpose hub capable of doing so.

A. No, it is not possible to use a Z-Wave device to control ZIGBEE devices as they are different protocols and different frequencies so these wouldn’t work together.

A. Yes, it is possible for Z-Wave to be used to control DALI if you use a suitable converter.

A. Yes, you can use Z-Wave motion sensors that can then be set up to control your lights.

A. Yes, is it possible to get your lights to change depending on the weather using Z-Wave. This comes down to which application you are using.

A. Yes, you can use Z-Wave to control 0-10v lights. There are Z-Wave to 0-10v converters available which allow this.

A. Matter is a new protocol being launched by the ZIGBEE Alliance. The protocol is to be launched to help with operability between all brands’ ZIGBEE devices, so they all work together equally. However the Z-Wave Alliance are also working alongside on the new Matter protocol to improve interoperability.

A. If you already have Z-Wave products, then no Matter shouldn’t cause issues with these. The Matter protocol is using existing technologies already in place so anything you already have should continue to work, the Matter protocol will be more applicable to future products coming out.

A. Yes, there is a limit to how many devices that can be run on a Z-Wave Network. You can run up to 232 Z-Wave devices on a network although there is the new Z-Wave LR which is being worked on which can mean 4000 devices could be paired to a Z-Wave network.

A. Yes, you can add more Z-Wave hubs to your network to increase how many devices you can control. Depending on the manufacturer, you can usually add more hubs so you can control more devices.

A. The frequency Z-Wave works on is generally between 800-900MHz, the exact frequency depends on where you are in the world.

A. Generally, it is not possible for other protocols using frequencies to interfere with Z-Wave. A lot of control protocols e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee all use the 2.4GHz frequency. However, with Z-Wave being around 800-900MHz it doesn’t suffer interference from those protocols.

A. Yes, Z-Wave can penetrate through walls, but it also comes down to what the walls are made of as well as how thick they are. If they are too thick etc. then you may need to extend the Z-Wave network range to get around this.

A. No, not all Z-Wave devices act as repeaters to extend the range of the network. Generally, any Z-Wave device that is plugged in/runs from the power can act as a repeater. If, however you have a device that is running from batteries, then it is likely that will not act as a repeater as these would generally run out of battery quickly if they did.

A. Yes, there are other things that can cause interference with your Z-Wave equipment. If you’re mounting your Z-Wave equipment anywhere where there may be a lot of electromagnetic interference e.g., near speakers/amplifiers then this may also cause issues.

A. Yes, it is possible to run Z-Wave alongside other protocols using a multipurpose hub.

A. The Z-Wave alliance is a collective made up of over 300 different companies utilizing Z-Wave’s technology in the design and manufacture of their products. They also maintain and publish the Z-Wave standard guaranteeing interoperability and full backwards compatibility among all generations of Z-Wave devices.

A. Yes, Z-Wave is secure as it uses strong encryption and authentication algorithms to help keep your data safe from any cyber threats.

A. A Z-Wave mesh network is a group of devices that act as a single network. In a mesh network, nodes/devices are interconnected with other nodes/devices to create multiple pathways around the network and to each device. These nodes and their connections are dynamically updated and optimized so if you add or remove devices, the network will adapt to keep everything communicating.

A. No Z-wave operates on a different frequency than Wi-Fi, so even though your hub will plug into your router they won’t cause interference with each other.

A. The way to know which Z-Wave devices work together is to look for the Z-Wave logo. All Z-Wave products are built to be interoperable regardless of manufacturer.

A. The difference between Z-Wave and Z-Wave plus is age. Z-Wave items are the first generation with Z-Wave Plus now being the newest generation of Z-Wave products. There is no compatibility issues between the 2 and both generations will work together.