Planning to get a Vera but got my alarm installed first - 2Gig with the Alarm.com service. I bought one single lamp module, played with it and its working great. I can turn it on or off over the internet using the Alarm.com service by PC or my Windows Phone. Of course now I want my Vera2 and all the components I put on my Amazon wish list— all, right now!!!
But the problem is (besides $) that I only have one 3 prong outlet per room in my home. Has anyone had bad experiences using the plug in modules with an adapter?
So in one room, how do I plug in 2 lamps and TV and cable box and DVD player and so forth. I am now running surge supressors on adapters for these things. I have not had the money to have the house electrical updated - and the adapters are working.
It shouldn’t be a problem as Zwave use radio communication.
I am fortunate to have a home with updated wiring, but I have helped a friend get started with Vera in an older home with some of the original wiring. Here are a couple of things to consider:
Plugin dimable lamp modules are exclusively 2-prong from all the vendors I have seen. You can use as many of these as you’d like in any of your outlets. These only work properly with incandescent bulbs, or dimable CFL/LEDs.
Plugin appliance modules use relays (real ON/OFF) and are 3 prong. I have heard from people who are using these with 2 prong adapters successfully, but I would definitely suggest grounding them if you can. Again I’m fortunate to have 3 prong outlets throughout, so I have no personal experience. YMMV.
Another thing to keep in mind as you venture into the z-wave world in a home with older wiring. Many of the in-wall switches (anything with an on/off relay), as well as other devices will require a neutral (usually white) wire in the box to be able to function. The neutral is required for the z-wave radio/control circuit to maintain power and be able to communicate. Dimable devices can maintain this by sending a very small amount of current to the bulb(s), even when you have turned it “off” (dimmed to 0% more accuratley), which is why you can only use dimable bulbs.
If your home doesn’t have grounded circuits, it will be worth checking to see if your switch boxes have this neutral wire available. It will usually be coiled up unused at the back of the box, or twisted up with a bundle of others. If you don’t have it, you will be somewhat limited in what you can install.
Definitely don’t want to discourage you, but you’ll need to proceed with caution when using older wiring and z-wave devices. There are many threads on this board and others that explain this in detail.
Lastly, I definitely recommend updating your wiring as soon as you can prioritize it. The more you come to rely on advanced electronics (you obviously have the interest if you are venturing into home automation), the more you will regret not doing it.
I appreciate the responses. Looks like I can get lamp modules and work with them for my two prong stuff like lamps, cable boxes, etc. The GE module I have has 3 prongs so it must be lamp/appliance module.
this house was built in 1948. i have a surge supressor in the one 3 prong outlet in each room and we plug most things into that.
this automation thing facinates me but an electric upgrade sounds expensive so for now i’ll fiddle with non-florescent lights
thanks again
Note that the GE modules have one 3-prong pass-through socket and one 2-prong switched socket.
Just make sure you don’t plug appliances into a lamp (i.e.) dimmer module.