ZWave Configuration Options

Options under the '+' button

When you go to the 'Devices' tab on Vera's setup site and click '+' next to a Z-Wave device, you will see Z-Wave specific options for that particular device.

The node ID is the identification number Vera assigned to the device on the Z-Wave network.

Z-Wave devices are normally polled to see if the device is working and if the status has changed, such as the device having been turned off, etc. Normally leave this blank to let Vera do the default polling, or see polling settings to learn how to change Vera's polling behavior.

Wattage

Very few Z-Wave devices are actually able to report how much energy they are using, so Vera generally estimates this based on the device's wattage. By default each light will have 100 watts. If the light really is a 100 watt light, you can leave it. If not, put in the actual wattage, which is usually printed on the bulb. Remember that if multiple lights are on the same Z-Wave switch you should add their wattages. You can also specify the wattages for appliance modules; for example, if you have a 200-watt fan plugged into an appliance module, you would type "200" for this device's wattage. Vera will constantly poll all the Z-Wave devices in your home to see if they are on, off or dimmed to a certain level, and Vera will use this to estimate the electricity being used. Also see: Energy

Automatically configure

Normally you should leave the default behavior, as specified on the 'Z-Wave options' page, by leaving 'By default Vera should automatically configure devices' checked, with all your devices set to 'Use the default'. This way Vera will automatically configure all your devices. In many cases, the devices will not work unless Vera configures them, and generally you will always want Vera to do this for you. The only exception is when you have another Z-Wave controller configuring your devices, and you've made some special settings there, and you don't want Vera to change them.

Even you do have have another Z-Wave controller, it's still okay to let Vera configure your Z-Wave devices. The only problem may arise when it comes to associations. If you don't know what Z-Wave associations are, just accept the default settings, which are necessary if you want certain types of devices, like sensors, to work with Vera.

For those interested in an explanation of what this means, read on...

In a Z-Wave network, some of your devices support what are called "Associations" (also called the Z-Wave command class association). This is how a device that sends messages knows where to send those messages. For example, motion sensors send messages when the sensor is tripped, thermometers may send messages when the temperature changes, and so on. Often times these devices have their own proprietary mechanism for setting associations, which is not standardized. For example, a motion sensor may provide instructions in the user's manual for how to associate it with a light switch so it turns the light switch on when the sensor is tripped. Generally, it's much easier to let Vera manage the associations for you. If you let Vera do this, Vera will associate all devices that send messages with Vera, telling them all to send the messages to Vera so Vera can process them for you. For example, Vera can tell any motion sensors and thermometers to send all messages to Vera, and that way, you can attach events to your scenes so Vera will run a scene, like turning on a light, when a motion sensor is tripped, or closing the blinds when the temperature is over 90 degrees to save energy. If these devices are not associated with Vera, Vera will never get the messages. The catch is that if you have previously set up associations, those associations will be lost when Vera configures the device, because Vera will manage the associations. The recommended solution is still to let Vera handle the configuring, but just tell Vera what extra associations you want as explained in the 'Associations' section below. Then Vera will set her own associations, and will also add whatever associations you specify. You can also disable automatic configuration, either for an individual device or globally, with this check box, and then Vera won't do anything with the device's associations.

When you have added new devices and they appear on the 'Unassigned Devices' page, you have the option of turning off Vera's configuration in case you have already set up the associations before getting Vera, and you don't want Vera to take over this and change the associations you previously set up.

Configure node right now

This causes Vera to attempt to configure the device immediately. After clicking this button you see the job icon for 'Configuring the Device' next to the device description and it will turn green if Vera was able to configure the device, or red if Vera was not. (See diagram of job icons) Some devices, like motion/door/window sensors, are generally not functional until they are configured. If they are not configured, you will see the configure job icon in red. But if the device is battery operated, it's quite possible that, in order to conserve battery life, the device goes into a 'sleep mode' during which the Z-Wave radio is turned off, and Vera cannot configure it. These battery operated devices typically wake up every few hours and announce that they're going to be awake for a few seconds. When this happens, Vera will use that opportunity to configure the device. So, if you added a battery operated device and you see the red 'Configure Job' icon, indicating the device is not configured and is not usable, you can check back the next day and it probably will be configured. Often times, the sensors allow you to remove and reinsert the batteries, or to press a button, and this will force them to listen to the Z-Wave network for a minute or two. (See Supported Hardware for a list of some popular Z-Wave sensors and an explanation of how they work.) If you have a sensor like this, you can then manually 'wake it up', and then you can promptly click the 'Configure Node Right Now' button to make Vera try to configure the device. This button is also useful if you have changed specific Z-Wave configuration and association settings and want to see them applied right away, as explained below.

Poll now

This causes Vera to attempt to poll the device immediately. After clicking it you see a poll job icon as shown in the diagram of job icons, and it will be green if Vera successfully polled the node, and red if not. To learn what polling is, why it's done, and how to change Vera's polling behavior, see Polling Settings.

Permanently remove dead node

The list of Z-Wave devices which have been paired with Vera's black Z-Wave dongle is stored within the dongle itself. This means that even if you do a factory reset of Vera - which wipes out all of Vera's memory - once Vera comes back up, you'll still see the same list of Z-Wave devices. If there's a node in your home you want to remove from the Z-Wave network, the best way to do this is to exclude the Z-Wave device, also known as resetting the device. (Click here for an explanation) If the Z-Wave device is broken or gone, then you won't be able to exclude it the normal way. In this case, there are two alternative ways to permanently remove the paired Z-Wave device from Vera's Z-Wave dongle. One option is to choose 'Reset Z-Wave network' from Vera's Z-Wave options page. But that removes all nodes and resets the dongle. The other option is to click the 'Permanently remove dead node' button to remove one particular node. You may not be able to remove a node this way if it is still powered and still responds. Power the unit off first. You may need to do this if you've added a Z-Wave controller, then later reset the Z-Wave controller, then added it again, as explained here.

Custom Z-Wave Settings

todoal: show custom z-wave settings

Click this button to see more Z-Wave specific options for this device. Click the 'Back to Devices' link when are you done making these changes to go back to the devices page.

Configuration settings

Some Z-Wave devices allow you to manually set configuration variables to do things like adjust ramp rate and so on. This is unique for each device, and each manufacturer handles this differently. If the manual for your Z-Wave device indicates that you can set a configuration variable or setting to change the default behavior, do it by clicking the 'Add Configuration Setting' button. Indicate which variable number to set, and what value to set it to. The value can be a '1 byte hex', '1 byte dec', '2 byte hex', '2 byte dec', '4 byte hex' or '4 byte dec'. If you do not know what this means and the manufacturer did not tell you which one they want you to choose, then choose '4 byte dec'. Put the setting you want in 'Desired Value'. Vera will attempt to configure the node after you click the red 'Save' button, and if successful, you'll see the [[Device_Control_Status#Job_icons|green 'Configure Job' OK icon]. If it's a battery operated device and Vera can't configure it right away, read the comments above about the Configure node right now. Once Vera has configured the Z-Wave device, Vera will ask the device again for the value of the configuration setting and show it under 'Current Value'. If you set a value, configured the device, and the current value is something other than your desired value, that means the Z-Wave device did not accept the 'Desired Value' you gave it, and you may need to contact the manufacturer for clarification. If you change the 'Data Size' option to say 'Monitor only', then when the device is next configured Vera will not change the value, but Vera will ask the device for the current value and show it in the 'Current Value' column. If you change it to 'Default', then the next time Vera configures the device, Vera will tell the device to go back to the default value for this setting, and you'll see the value in the 'Current Value' column.

Associations

Note: Leave By default Vera should automatically configure devices checked as explained above, and leave each device's Automatically configure set to 'Default Behavior'. If you tell Vera not to configure the device, Vera will leave the device alone and will not set the associations for you.

These are also unique for each device according to the manufacturer. Associations are commonly used to tell sensors to turn on lights, and to associate devices. Refer to the manufacturer's users manual that came with the Z-Wave device to learn how they handle associations. Associations are given an ID or group ID. To add an association, type in the group ID, which is a number, click 'Add Group' and then check off the Z-Wave devices you want to be associated. Vera will attempt to configure the node after you click the red 'Save' button, and if successful, you'll see the [[Device_Control_Status#Job_icons|green 'configure job' ok icon]. If it's a battery operated device and Vera can't configure it right away, read the comments above about the Configure node right now.

Scene Assignments

If this is a Z-Wave controller, then you will have another section on this page to assign scenes to the controller's buttons, as explained here. You won't see this for other types of Z-Wave devices.