Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Smart Energy Dimmer vs Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Smart Energy Swit

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

I have a series of switches that I will be adding the aeotec switches/dimmers.

My question, some of them will be just on/off switches. Some will be dimmers.

Can I install Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Smart Energy Dimmer on all of these, or does it have to be paired with a dimmer control?

I ask, because the Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Smart Energy Dimmer are a few bucks cheaper than the Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Smart Energy Switch

2

The Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Smart Energy Dimmer is for dimming bulbs. It can have its dim level set by a Z-Wave controller or by a locally attached momentary switch. It can also be turned On/Off by a locally attached On/Off switch, but you cannot locally control the dim level with this switch. You cannot use a locally attached dimmer(rheostat, potentiometer, TRIAC slider) switch with the Aeotec micro dimmer.

It cannot be “paired” with a dimmer control only an On/Off switch or a momentary switch. The choice to use the Aeotec dimmer versus the Smart Switch depends on whether or not you are using a dimmable load(bulbs).

3

OK… let me kind of clarify, because I realize that my original post was a bit muddled, and I wanted to make sure I understand what you are saying.

So, right now, I have my lights controlled with a simple on/off switch.
Going forward, I will convert some of these to a dimmer, so that some will be on/off, some will be on dimmer.

You said:

    1. It can have its dim level set by a Z-Wave controller or by a locally attached momentary switch
    1. It can also be turned On/Off by a locally attached On/Off switch
    1. You cannot locally control the dim level with this switch.
    1. You cannot use a locally attached dimmer(rheostat, potentiometer, TRIAC slider) switch with the Aeotec micro dimmer.

So, this is what I understand:

    1. You can dim the light w/ zwave controller or the dimmer on the wall
    1. You can turn it off via the switch on the wall
    1. Seems to contradict #1
    1. Seems to contradict #1

What I was thinking for dimmer was something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Lutron-MACL-153M-WH-Maestro-150-Watt-Multi-Location/dp/B008X3CHM0/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t

Sorry, just a bit confused, and not your fault :slight_smile:

4

It would make sense, if you couldn’t use a physical dimmer with this… but then, what’s the point of this? If I have wave dimmable, but can’t physically dim, this is really a limited use product, right?

5

Think I might be understanding this…
So it seems I just need to look for a dimmer with electronic dimmability, something like the Linear WD500Z?

6

Sorry for not being more clear. It is confusing, especially when using ambigous names to refer to two different devices.

[quote=“johnes, post:5, topic:181763”]So, this is what I understand:

    1. You can dim the light w/ zwave controller or the dimmer on the wall[/quote]
      No!

You cannot use a standard wall mount dimmer switch of any kind to locally control the Aeotec dimmer module.

You can use a momentary wall switch to locally control the Aeotec dimmer module. Holding the momentary switch down causes the Aeotec dim level to ramp up or down to your desired dim level.

You can use a standard On/Off wall switch to activate the Aeotec dimmer. It will turn the dimmer On and Off, but it will not allow you to locally control the dim level. It is On/Off only. You would use a Z-Wave controller, like Vera, to adjust the dim level.

Think I might be understanding this... So it seems I just need to look for a dimmer with electronic dimmability, something like the Linear WD500Z?
Replacing the wall switch with a Z-Wave dimmer switch like the WD500Z will allow dim level control by both the wall switch and the Z-Wave controller.
7

Cool. Really appreciate the help. Since this is a new build, I can’t just walk over and start experimenting, so … just planning this out.

I’ve found these:
Leviton VRMX1-1LZ 1000W Vizia

LINEAR WD500Z-1 Z-Wave(R) 500-Watt

But there doesn’t seem to be much inventory on Amazon. Are there newer models? Any reason to pick one over the other? A better place to buy them?

8

Leviton VRMX1-1LZ 1000W
Pros:
1000 watts
Magnetic Low Voltage means that it will dim dimmable LED and CFL bulbs well.
Instant Status

Cons:
Price

LINEAR WD500Z-1
Pros:
Low price.
Dims many LEDs and CFLs acceptably.

Cons:
No Instant Status
Lower maximum wattage.