Here’s the story; bought a new house and didn’t realize that nearly every single switch in the house is at least a three way (or more) switch–at least that I wanted to control with Z-Wave. I didn’t realize this until after I bought the following:
QTY 1: Linear WD500Z-1 Z-Wave 500-Watt Wall-Mount Dimmer Switch
QTY 2: Monoprice Z-Wave In-Wall On/Off Dual Relay Module (Part 11990)
Rather than buy a few different brands of aux/add-on switches, I was hoping someone would have experience in getting certain brands to work with each other. The JASCO 45610 can be had for about $18 each (SmartestHouse.com), and the GE 12723222 Add-on switch at Lowes for about $22. Do either of these work with either of the switch brands I already bought?
I want to control the following switches with Z-Wave:
[ul][li]Upstairs hallway recessed lighting. Four separate switches exist for these lights.[/li]
[li]Downstairs hallway recessed lighting. Two separate switches exist for these lights[/li]
[li]Basement inside lighting. Two separate switches exist for these lights[/li]
[li]Basement outside flood lighting. Two separate switches exist for these lights[/li][/ul]
Based on the list above, and the switches I already bought, I can control those lights from a single location. But since all of them are three way switches (or more), by my count I need 6 add-on/aux switches.
I don’t know about the brands you’re using… but I think GE and Jasco are the same thing.
I know that Leviton companion switches won’t work with others, and vice versa.
Welcome to the forum.
Thanks. You’re right and I meant to include that, it seems that GE and Jasco are the same thing, I am just not sure that those two models are identical.
Thank you for the feedback on Leviton and the welcome.
In almost all cases, the auxiliary(n-way) switches of various manufacturers are specific to their brands and models. So the GE/Jasco 12722(45609) On/Off switch can only be used in conjunction with the GE/Jasco 12723(45610) Auiliary switch. The 12723 cannot be used with any other manufacturer’s switch.
One possible “universal” exception is the Linear/GoControl WT00Z-1 Accessory Switch. This switch is a one button scene controller. It is mains powered(requires Line and Neutral), but does not directly control a load or connect to anything else. It controls other Z-Wave switches via Z-Wave wireless communication. It can be associated and directly control most Z-Wave switches and dimmers including your WD500Z-1 dimmer and the Monoprice module as well as the GE switches and more…
Attached is one possible wiring configuration using the WD500Z-1 and the WT00Z-1 in a 3-way configuration.
The Cooper Aux switches work the same was, via Association so can be used with any Z-Wave switch, they do not controll a local load. Bothe the Aux Dimmer and Aux switch can be used.
However if the switch being controlled doesn’t also support association, then the Aux switches can get out of sync, and you will need to create some scenes to keep then in sync.
Thank you. Unfortunately this is much more expensive than I anticipated. I did have one location where I wanted a dimmer on a single pole switch so I was able to install that one. Of course it is very addicting and now I want to install more but the cost is prohibitive as the other locations have 3 or more switches per light I want to control. The Linear model seems like it will work nicely but it is nearly $40, which is even more than I paid for the regular Z Wave switch. The Cooper devices look very nice but they are extremely expensive.
How do the add on switches work with dimmers? I am assuming you cannot control the dimmer from the add on switches, just on/off from whatever the dimmer is set to. Am I correct in this assumption?
You are not correct in your assumption.
The one button scene controllers like the Linear and Cooper switches control On/Off and full dimming. As does the hard wired Aux switch appropriate for the dimmer that you select.