Why do we need to put the device within 3 feet when wired?
When I got my first sensor, I did the battery thing… Had problems getting it to work right and didn’t like not being able to watch the UI find the device. Then I just started running a long Cat5e cable (already had) and plugging Vera in close to the new device. Now I just install the new device and leave Vera where its at and 50ft plus away I setup new devices?
So What’s the rules? Would it not have worked before cuz of the mesh network?
Do they say 3 feet just so you can make sure z-wave gets a good signal?
I mean z-wave is not limited to anywhere close to 3 feet so whats the deal?
What am I screwing up by doing it the way I’m doing it?
Certain devices use a low power transmitter and can’t reach the Vera or can’t use a mesh network (like locks) until secure communications is established.
95% devices can be included over longer distances. So if your having a problem including a device for the first time, it should try it including it closer as it’s a common fix for new device issues.
By low power transmitter do you mean during setup? or that device will always have to be within 3 feet? Obviously it doesn’t have to stay 3 feet away full time so low power must not be an issue. Even locks without a mesh network are good up to 100ft theoretically and usually at-least over 30 feet without the mesh so again where does the 3 feet come from?
Is there some type of different frequency (I’m assuming it’s always z-wave and answer should be no) that is used during setup that requires 3 feet?
Just during inclusion. Leviron In Wall Scene adapters are an example that won’t include child devices if farther than 3ft. Once included it can be moved anywhere within mesh range.
100 feet is VERY theoretical and highly unlikely, especially for including locks.
Z-Wave devices and, more specifically, Vera’s dongle use a Low power include that limits the strength of the transmitted inclusion frames. This way you don’t include/exclude your neighbor’s device in the opposite apartment, for example. 3 feet works every time in all situations. It is as close as the devices should be, being closer can sometimes cause reception problems. So being as close as you can without being too close assures that the device is properly included every time and reduces support calls and customer dissatisfaction. You can frequently get your devices to pair at greater distances, but if it doesn’t work, the “fix” is to move closer.
Is there some type of different frequency (I'm assuming it's always z-wave and answer should be no) that is used during setup that requires 3 feet?
No Z-Wave devices use a single frequency. But, varying signal powers are used, as described earlier.
100 feet is VERY theoretical and highly unlikely, especially for including locks.
Z-Wave devices and, more specifically, Vera’s dongle use a Low power include that limits the strength of the transmitted inclusion frames. This way you don’t include/exclude your neighbor’s device in the opposite apartment, for example. 3 feet works every time in all situations. It is as close as the devices should be, being closer can sometimes cause reception problems. So being as close as you can without being too close assures that the device is properly included every time and reduces support calls and customer dissatisfaction. You can frequently get your devices to pair at greater distances, but if it doesn’t work, the “fix” is to move closer.
Is there some type of different frequency (I'm assuming it's always z-wave and answer should be no) that is used during setup that requires 3 feet?
No Z-Wave devices use a single frequency. But, varying signal powers are used, as described earlier.