Z-Wave - Frequently Asked Questions
Z-Wave is a proprietary wireless low-power RF (900 MHz) communication protocol that allows for home/business automation. Some key features of Z-Wave include:
- Allows devices to talk to each other via a local “mesh network”.
- The network range expands as more devices are added.
- Currently supported by over 200 manufacturers worldwide.
- “Open air” range between devices is 100 feet, though this can vary significantly indoors depending on building materials, etc.
Does Alarm.com work with all Z-Wave devices available on the market?
Only recommended Z-Wave devices are guaranteed to support all Alarm.com features. However, other Z-Wave devices could work with the Alarm.com platform. Contact your Alarm.com representative to obtain a Z-Wave catalog of approved devices for your country.
What frequency does Z-Wave operate on?
Z-Wave frequency differs depending on the country or continent. This means that Z-Wave devices designed for use in one country may not work in another country that uses a different frequency. Here is a list of countries and their Z-Wave frequencies. For additional countries' Z-Wave frequencies, refer to Silicon Lab's Z-Wave Global Regions.
|
Country |
Z-Wave Frequency |
|---|---|
| Australia | 921.4 MHz |
| Bolivia | 908.4 MHz |
| Canada | 908.4 MHz |
| Chile | 908.4 MHz |
| Colombia | 908.4 MHz |
| Ecuador | 908.4 MHz |
| El Salvador | 921.4 MHz |
| Israel | 916 MHz |
| Mexico | 908.4 MHz |
| New Zealand | 921.4 MHz |
| Peru | 921.4 MHz |
| Panama | 908.4 MHz |
| Turkey | 868.4 MHz |
| United States | 908.4 MHz |
| Uruguay | 908.4 MHz |
How are Z-Wave devices powered?
Z-Wave is a very efficient, low-energy technology. Many Z-Wave devices work on battery power alone, often for a year or more between changes. Others plug into the wall, and there are even Z-Wave AC outlets, which allow you to make your entire home’s electrical system “smart” and energy-efficient by monitoring and controlling the home’s energy usage.
When do Z-Wave devices develop a low battery trouble condition?
All Z-Wave devices that use batteries (e.g., locks and some thermostats) go into low battery at 30%, critical low battery at 20%, and restore from the low battery trouble condition at 60%.
How many Z-Wave devices can be controlled?
Z-Wave is a highly “scalable” technology. It can control anywhere from one device to 60 devices. With Z-Wave you can build your smart home one device at a time, adding more products when it suits you.
Will Z-Wave interfere with a Wi-Fi network?
Z-Wave will not interfere with your Wi-Fi network because it works on a different frequency.
Will Z-Wave work in a large house?
Yes. Z-Wave runs on a “Mesh Network”. One Z-Wave product will pass the signal along to another until the final destination is reached. This relay system greatly extends its range. However, only AC-powered Z-Wave devices with a constant power supply can act as repeaters.
How far apart can Z-Wave devices be installed?
The average distance between two functioning Z-Wave products is about 100 feet (30 meters); we recommend keeping the distance below 33 feet (10 meters).
What’s the difference between Z-Wave and ZigBee?
Z-Wave and ZigBee are both short-range wireless technologies meant for remote control and monitoring. They are similar in many aspects including the fact that they feature intelligent mesh networking.
The key difference between these two technologies is the compatibility between devices or interoperability. Because all the Z-Wave chipsets come from one manufacturer and there is one agency regulating the protocol (Z-Wave Alliance), it is very likely that Z-Wave devices from different manufacturers are going to be able to communicate with each other.
On the other hand, ZigBee chipset providers are royalty free and are open for changes and evaluation. In other words, ZigBee is an open protocol. This implies that two ZigBee devices on a mesh network may be unable to communicate because of their different languages.
Currently, Alarm.com works with the Z-Wave protocol because of the advantages mentioned above. However, Alarm.com is continuously implementing and developing new features and solutions for customers and we are open to integrate more protocols in the future.
| ZigBee | Z-Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | IEEE 802.15 | ITU-T G9959 |
| Radio Modulation | Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) | Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), specifically Gaussian Minimum-shift keying (GMSK) |
| Encryption | AES 128-bit | AES 128-bit |
| Range | 33 to 328 feet (10 to 100 meters) in open air, though this can vary significantly indoors depending on building materials, etc. |
100 feet (30 meters) in open air, though this can vary significantly indoors depending on building materials, etc. |
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz, 915 MHz, 868 MHz | 908, 868, 916, 919, 921, 865 MHz: varies by world region |
| Theoretical Network Size | 65,000 | 60 |
| Chipset Manufacturing | Texas Instruments, Atmel, SilconLabs, Freescale, STMicroelectronics | Silicon Labs |
| Network Topology | Mesh or Star | Mesh |
| Interoperability | Open | Closed |
Is Alarm.com the owner of Z-Wave technology?
No. Z-Wave was designed by the company Zensys (now owned by Silicon Labs), a provider of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions used to enable smart home communication through electronic devices. There are more than 300 manufacturers producing Z-Wave devices and Alarm.com is working with many of them.
Where can compatible Z-Wave devices be bought?
Contact your ADC representative for information about approved devices and local distributors.
If a Z-Wave device is added to a panel, does it use a zone?
No. Z-Wave devices do not take zones from the panel and you can add as many Z-Wave devices as the panel supports.
Additionally, this means that Z-Wave devices will not be placed in specific partitions when enrolled or in use.
How can Z-Wave devices be added?
Adding a Z-Wave device to a panel is simple. Put the panel into Add Mode for Z-Wave devices, and the panel will start searching for devices. Next, press the pairing button twice on the Z-Wave device, and the panel will show a message indicating that a new device has been added.
For more information about how to put each panel into Add Mode, see the Z-Wave guides in Panels.
Will Z-Wave devices, rules, and schedules remain on the panel if the customer account is terminated?
Yes. Enrolled Z-Wave devices, along with the rules and schedules created for them, will remain on the panel's module even if the account is terminated. If the same panel is used for a new account, and the devices have not been removed, they will appear in the new account's equipment list.
What kind of Z-Wave devices are supported by Alarm.com?
Alarm.com supports Z-Wave switches (for lights, lamps, and appliances), thermostats, garage doors, and locks.