Metalic boxes and metal conduit

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

Hi nub here,

Just intsalled Vera lite and a Z wave deadbolt and Z Wave switched receptacle. Things going quite well except the receptacle has occaisional errors (code 1 or type 1) where the control doesn’t always work.

I was wondering if my IL home with EMT conduit and steel metal boxes was limiting the Z wave performance? The Vera and receptacle are only 20’ or so away on the same floor but a couple walls in between.

Any pointers would be helpful.

thanks.

2

Does your z-wave switch have support beeming? I’m pretty sure that every zwave lock need beeming. So if your lock does not have a clear view from your vera to the lock, you will have problem if your other zwave switch doesn’t support beeming too. If your other switch doesn’t support it, they will not transmit the encrypted signal.

3

Well not sure about beaming. At 900 MHz there should be some dispersion. Unfortunately the face of the receptacle faces away from the vera. I don’t know about the lock yet as I was short shipped a battery clip so still waiting to debug that. The lock is only 10’ from the vera so I expect it to be more behaved.

I’m just thinking maybe dongle style switches are better choice for those of us in IL with these crazy electrical codes…

4

No, I mean compatible z-wave with the beaming function. Only a few item and brands support beaming. You need to have at least a compatible beaming product like a evolve switch to wake up the battery door lock from sleep. If you use a standard z-wave like intermatic switch, it will not work.

Search on google : z-wave doorlock beaming

You will understant what I want to say

5

I don’t know what an IL home is.

Limited quantities of steel conduit should not have any major impact on your Z-Wave network unless it is creating a solid steel wall(e.g. multiple directly adjacent parallel pipes at a breaker box) between the Z-Wave devices, in which case it will block the signal. If you’ve only got the typical one or two pipes in the wall, that’s not a problem.

Steel boxes, on the other hand, can definitely be a problem as Z-Wave 900Mhz does not pass through steel. Most Z-Wave receptacles and switches have the antenna at the very front, right behind the face plate, so most of them will communicate fine with devices in front of the receptacle or in the same room. However devices to the side or behind the steel box will have the signal shielded by the steel box. If any signal gets to them it is only by reflection.

The easiest solution to signal problems is to add nodes between devices. I like to use a GE/Jasco 45603 Lamp module or a GE/Jasco 45604 Outdoor module to test different locations for the most optimal placement.

But, if steel boxes are blocking the signal, there may be no alternative to replacing them with plastic ones. Steel blocks radio signals.

6
I don't know what an IL home is.

Perhaps this is just one in Illinois, USA?

7

[quote=“akbooer, post:6, topic:175076”]

I don’t know what an IL home is.

Perhaps this is just one in Illinois, USA?[/quote]

Well that changes everything! I’ve heard that Vera doesn’t work in Illinois. ;D

8

On the topic of metal: the MiOS/Aeon SmartSwitch with energy reporting wedged between the connected refrigerator and the kitchen wall has been operating remarkably well.

9

IL = Illinois

I’ve installed several CA3500 units now. They definately don’t like metal boxes and conduit. No way around it for me due to electrical code in these parts. Never thought I would say plastic boxes are better but in this case they are. My house is metal boxes, metal tubing (EMT), and metal receptacle plate cover. Only thing not metal is the front face of the receptacle.

10

You might try the Micro Switches and hang the antenna outside the metalic box.
This assumes you have room in the metal boxes to hold these Micro Switches.