Voltage compatibility

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

[font=trebuchet ms]I want to buy the Security Package but I’m concern about the compatibility with my country’s electricity. We use a 220v/50hz electricity.

As I understand each item has the following voltage:[/font]

[ul][li][font=trebuchet ms]Door and Window Sensor: Battery-Powered[/font][/li]
[li][font=trebuchet ms]Motion Sensor: Battery-Powered[/font][/li]
[li][font=trebuchet ms]Plug In Dimmable Lamp Module: 120v/60hz[/font][/li]
[li][font=trebuchet ms]Schlage Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock - Satin Nickel: Battery-Powered[/font][/li]
[li][font=trebuchet ms]VeraLite - North American: AC 100 ~ 240v, 50~60Hz[/font][/li]
[li][font=trebuchet ms]VistaCam HD is a High Definition 720p Pan and Tilt Wireless Camera: ?[/font][/li][/ul]
[font=trebuchet ms]
Will all these items work as suspected?
Greetings[/font]

2

You don’t want the USA package; Z-wave operates on a different radio frequency there. Check here to see which frequency is used in your country.

I don’t know if Vera/MCV will offer a Euro package or packages for other regions. If not, you’ll have to buy Vera and modules for your country separately.

3

Actually I live in Chile and its has the same Standard (FCC CFR47 Part 15.249) and Z-Wave frequency (908.4 MHz).

So… will the “Plug In Dimmable Lamp Module” work in my country? (and also the other items)

Considering that the only difference between Chile and USA is the electricity (220v/50Hz vs 110v/60Hz) and the socket (wiki article)

Thanks!

4

That depends on which brand of modules they supply. I’ve seen a few that will take 100-240v, but others are 110v or 220v only.

5

Try to find chinese plugIn/Dimers wich works for 250v and related to Euro packages… (i’m deciding to buy one vera lite Euro package too) Im located in Argentina and we have 220VAC/50HZ too…

Enviado desde mi Galaxy S3 usando Tapatalk 4

6

in short: doesnt work. you would need a travel adapter to use it.

7

[quote=“nsalazar, post:3, topic:177192”]Actually I live in Chile and its has the same Standard (FCC CFR47 Part 15.249) and Z-Wave frequency (908.4 MHz).

So… will the “Plug In Dimmable Lamp Module” work in my country? (and also the other items)

Considering that the only difference between Chile and USA is the electricity (220v/50Hz vs 110v/60Hz) and the socket (wiki article)

Thanks![/quote]

weird. it’s difficult to find Z-Wave devices that use US frequency (908 MHz) and support 220v, it might be better to go European…

8

I live in China which uses the same freq as Europe. No problems with my setup.

I don’t know why you can’t just go with a Europe setup and use 868.4 / 220v setup? That would eliminate future expansion fiddling with USA freqs and 220v at the same time. Also you can use all the Fibaro items as well.

9

yeah don’t mind the regulations and just get a euro freq 220v vera and some nice fibaro stuff. works great.

10

On the same topic:

I’ve already bought US version VeraLite and a Kwikset lock though i leave in 220v power supply country (didn’t know the frequency differences before the purchase).
The Vera works fine, since the supplied adapter is universal one 100v-240v.
Now i would like to get one of zwave relay switches, however, do you think i can find 220v relay with US frequency zwave? This frequency thing is totally pain in the ***.
I could have the Veralite sent back to amazon (loosing some cash on shipping though) however, i would like to have a zwave controlled lock (either kwikset or schlage)

In short

  1. i don’t mind using US frequency VeraLite as my country is not listed anywhere in the frequency lists.
  2. I would like to have a zwave relay that works with 220v power supply
  3. i would like to have a zwave controlled lock.

What my options will be?

Thanks
Davit

11

probably something like this Heavy Duty Relay/Contactor - ELK Products would work but you have to input 110v for the coil

12

Honestly, you should just get the correct equipment and be done with it.
Putting together bit’s and pieces is possibly going to result in mismatches and heartaches in the long run.

Not what you want to hear, but if you’re going to do HA, then do it right from the start.

13

@ Da_Jojo, 110v coil is doable, inconvenient however.

@ Zedrally, From what i read, Vera Lite is the same for all countries and for EU frequency some sort of USB dongle is used. From my perspective, getting US version products are cheaper and covered with more support by forum members and manufacturers. And as long as it does what i need i’m fine with that.

On another note, i came across Remotec ZFM-80US relay. In the technical specification sheet it says:

RF frequency: 908.42 MHz.
Input voltage: 120Vac or 230Vac
Output relay power rating: 230Vac 10A max. or 120Vac 15A max. (Resistive load)

Seems to be exactly what i need.
Can anyone confirm that ZFM-80US works with 230V input voltage?

Thanks
Davit

14

i totally agree with Zedrally. you’re better of with a EU version
the ZFM-80US like u said has input voltage 120Vac or 220Vac… speaks for itself doesn’t it ?

15

Da_Jojo
Well, it does clearly mention, however, i posted the question to hear from someone who actually have used it and can confirm if it is 230v compatible.

Thanks
Davit

16

Ok, i don’t mind risking $48. I’ve ordered one and will update if it works for 220v.

D.

17

[quote=“Davit, post:10, topic:177192”]In short

  1. i don’t mind using US frequency VeraLite as my country is not listed anywhere in the frequency lists.
  2. I would like to have a zwave relay that works with 220v power supply
  3. i would like to have a zwave controlled lock.

What my options will be?[/quote]

you’ll be limiting yourself too much, it’s rare to find z-wave devices operating on US frequency and supporting 220v. A somewhat extreme option is to buy an EU VeraLite and bridge it with your VeraLite, then you can run all EU and US devices

18

False. There are (at least) three different versions of Vera Lite, each with a different Z-Wave daughter board inside the box. You can use a USB Z-Wave dongle and ignore the internal Z-Wave chip (I do this) but it’s not mandatory. In your case you could keep your US Vera Lite, buy a European Z-Wave stick and start using European Z-Wave devices. (No, you can’t use both the internal and external Z-Wave controllers simultaneously. A shame.)

You’ve been careful to not say what country you are in. But I’ll go out on a limb and guess from your username that your country operates on 50 Hz electricity. Not all US appliances will like that. Some are tuned to 60 Hz and will operate inefficiently, or not at all, on 50 Hz. It looks like the switches you have just ordered don’t have this problem, but keep it in mind when you next buy stuff.

I’m sorry that we forum users can’t help you to rationalize your decision to commit to US Z-Wave devices. But do let us know how your experiments go. You’re blazing new trails.

Edit: thanks for posting your results below.

19

Thank you all for your responses.

I’m delighted to learn that i have at least two options of using EU frequency devices without sacrificing compatibility with US frequency, one being EU dongle (with another US Vera) and the second EU Vera bridging with US Vera. I would appreciate if anyone could confirm that i got it right. I don’t like the idea of being limited to certain manufacturer’s products. I would rather spend another $180 on EU version Vera, than use only EU frequency products.

I will surely post my experience with the ZFM-80US.

Thanks
Davit

20

Guys,

I confirm that ZFM-80US works with 220v power supply and is operated with US frequency Vera.
I’m not 100% sure, but seems that it also acts as repeater, since i get more reliable operation with my Kwikset lock.

Hope this will help someone else.

Davit.