What is Z-Wave?

What Exactly is Z-Wave?

As the smart home becomes more intelligent, innovators keep looking for ways to make connectivity better. Nobody wants to buy a device that will not work because of its distance from the router. More innovators prefer to use mesh networks where each device passes data to the next device in your system until it enters the hub, and vice versa.

Z-Wave is a wireless protocol that sends data between various devices. It utilizes low energy radio waves to transmit information. You can use it to control everything from security systems, open and close doors, and thermostats. You can use Z-Wave controllers, such as Z-wave gateway, smartphones, or key fobs.

Zensys, a Danish company, developed Z-Wave in 2001 as a system that controlled lights only. Z-Wave Plus was designed in 2013, offering a more extensive range, more memory, and improved battery life. The Z-Wave Alliance formed in 2005 to promote the Z-Wave technology. Z-Wave networks can support over 200 devices, with a range of at least 30 meters between them. Obstacles such as walls shorten the distance. Z-Wave devices operate on 908.42MHz frequency, which allows them to stay clear of the frequency that your home Wi-Fi uses.

What Z-wave devices are available?

All smart devices that support Z-wave are compatible with each other, the brand notwithstanding, and must be Z-Wave Alliance certified. These intelligent devices include locks, switches, thermostats, and others.

The available lists of devices that use Z-Wave technology include:

Why are Z-Wave devices important for home automation?

Z-wave is essential for home automation for several reasons:

 

1.    Easy to Install

Most people read setting up electronic devices and mostly pay technicians to do the installation. Z-Wave’s SmartStart is a feature that makes the installation of devices easy. SmartStart means all the devices are pre-configured before the device is sent out to stores. Installing a new device is as easy as powering it. The network gateway will automatically recognize the device and form a connection with it.

By scanning the device’s QR code, you can inform your gateway that you have added a new device, recognize it, and connect to the device. If not, you will get prompts on how to connect the device.

 

2.    Interoperability

By design, Z-wave devices are compatible, regardless of brand, type, version, or manufacturer. The list of certified Z-wave products ballooned to 2,600 in 2019, up from 1,700 in 2017. This aspect of interoperability removes the worry about compatibility when you are using multiple devices. As long as a Z-wave device is certified, it will work with other Z-wave devices.

 

3.    Low Power Usage

Some smart home devices use power, and some use a battery. These devices are mainly sensors that do not work continuously throughout the day, such as window sensors. The primary purpose of a smart device is to provide convenience, and a depleted battery every so often is quite inconveniencing. Low power consumption is critical for this purpose.

The future role of the Z-Wave Alliance

According to Silicon Labs, the Z-Wave Alliance will become the organization responsible for the Z-wave specification standards. The alliance will be responsible for managing the Z-wave certification program that ensures Z-wave device compatibility.

By mid-2020, the Z-wave specification will also include the ITU. G9959 PHY/MAC radio specification is the ingredient needed to build the Z-Wave chips, the host-device communication protocol, and the network and application layers. This enables the rest of the silicon manufacturers to create Z-Wave chips and bypass Silicon Labs as the only source of Z-Wave parts for end-product manufacturers.

Benefits of using Z-Wave Products

The benefits of using Z-Wave products include:

Z-Wave technology helps in energy conservation in different ways, such as appliances and lights getting turned on and off at scheduled times. Z-wave technology helps automate homes and make it easy to access them remotely, expand connections, and conserve energy.

Currently, there are nearly 1000 Z-wave products, which are compatible with each other. All Z-Wave products are readily available and compatible with each other.

Z-wave allows the average household gadgets and products such as thermostats, door locks, and lights smart. When these products are connected to Z-wave, they can communicate wireless and controlled via PC, tablet, or phone.

At the moment, you can choose almost 1,000 Z-wave compatible products, so you can choose what works best for you.

Z-Wave Devices Buying Guide

Before buying Z-wave devices, here are some things to look out for:

With the Z-Wave certification, you are assured that your device is compatible with other Z-Wave devices from different brands. This is both compatibility and interoperability at its best, and smart devices from different manufacturers can easily communicate.

Some smart devices have versions meant for the U.S and Canada, with a different version for the European market. This is probably because of the different certifications and standards for various countries. Before buying, check if the device is meant for your country.

Sometimes, smart device kits and packages, which include these intelligent devices, are available. Instead of purchasing the tools singly, you can buy in sets or packages. This is cheaper for you in the long run.

Ensure you make a list of everything you want to automate. List everything you need to replace, and what needs to be purchased. Include the cost of replacing and removal of the current manual devices you own.

Conclusion

If you want to automate your home, you must make careful consideration of what you need to replace and consider the costs. The Z-Wave Alliance has made things easy, especially with so many compatible devices in the market. As long as a device uses Z-wave, it can communicate with others using the same protocol.

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