FAQ: Z-Wave Setup & Installation

Can you install my system for me?

Unfortunately, on-site installation is not a service we provide at this time. We do, however, offer some dedicated remote consultation and support services and we can design a home automation solution for you, tailored to your exact requirements if required. 

If you would prefer not to install our products yourself or you need hands-on support, we recommend consulting a professional home automation installer. Please contact us for further details.

Will I need an electrician?

In Australia, any device designed to be hard-wired into 240v A/C mains must be installed by a qualified electrician. This especially relates to our in-wall modules. However, a large proportion of the products we sell are either battery powered or plug directly into existing power sockets in your home so these types of devices are fine to install yourself.

Can I mix and match Z-Wave products from different manufacturers?

Yes. That’s one of the advantages of Z-Wave. The Z-Wave standard ensures all devices maintain basic interoperability. This means a Z-Wave handheld remote, for example, is guaranteed to allow you to switch a Z-Wave light on and off irrespective of which vendor has supplied the devices. Some Z-Wave products will vary, however, in terms of which Z-Wave features are implemented. For instance, the same remote used to control your lights may only function as a basic on/off controller for your Z-Wave enabled thermostat. To allow you to control heat/cool set points as well would require a home controller. ​

I purchased some Z-Wave gear from overseas. Will they work with the products you sell?

No. Z-Wave uses the sub-1GHz frequency range which varies slightly depending on where you live. Products certified for Australia and New Zealand (as sold by us) operate at 921.4 MHz whereas products targeted for the United States and Canada (for example) operate at 908.4 MHz. A Z-Wave network operating on one frequency can’t “talk” to a second network operating on a different frequency. It is illegal in Australia to operate any radio device on an uncertified frequency. It’s also worth noting that A/C powered Z-Wave products purchased from other countries are unlikely to meet Australian electrical requirements and safety standards.

What's the maximum range I can expect to achieve between Z-Wave devices?

Without any obstacles such as walls and furniture, the range between two Z-Wave products is 30-40 meters (up to 100m for a Z-Wave Plus certified network). When obstacles in your home reduce that range, Z-Wave’s mesh networking allows a Z-Wave signal to “hop” through other Z-Wave products to reach the destination device to be controlled (excludes battery operated devices). Z-Wave supports up to 4 hops so the total home coverage will grow substantially as the number of Z-Wave products in the network is increased.