It’s no secret technology evolves at a rapid pace, and it can be challenging to keep up with all the latest terms and developments. In the smart home one of those innovations is Z-Wave.
Z-Wave is something we are often asked about here at Lera Smart Home Solutions as more and smart home appliances feature the logo on their box.
So, here’s an insight into Z-Wave, what it is and what it does for the smart home.
What is Z-Wave?
In technical terms, Z-Wave is a wireless protocol that establishes connectivity in the home. Basically, that means it’s a way for all those smart gadgets, sensors, activators and appliances to talk to each other. And yes, it’s a lot like Wi-Fi, in that both are wireless networks and both allow items to communicate. They just happen to do it in quite different ways.
The difference between Wi-Fi and Z-Wave
One of the major benefits of Z-Wave is that it offers greater reliability than Wi-Fi, because of the method of networking that it uses.
So here’s the difference between the two…
Wi-Fi
First introduced in 1998, Wi-Fi creates a local area network without cables, with all devices on that network connected through the central point of a router. That router then connects to the internet via a modem.
The devices within this local area network can see each other, which is how your laptop, tablet, and printer communicate. People on the network can therefore exchange files or transfer information. But if the internet goes down or the Wi-Fi on the router fails, the connection between devices is lost.
Z-Wave
First developed in 2001, Z-Wave is a slightly newer addition to the connectivity playing field. It’s known as a mesh or decentralised system in that no central router is required. Instead devices talk to each other, with no need for a middle man. Best of all, this communication doesn’t have to be direct, information can be passed along from one device to another “hopping” along the network to get where it needs to go.
The mesh network can have up to 232 nodes on it, meaning you can run 232 devices at a time. Importantly, the Z-Wave network gets stronger as you add more devices, because each addition creates a new route where information can be transferred. This is the opposite of Wi-Fi where additional devices can create congestion.
Z-Wave also operates at a much lower frequency than Wi-Fi but with a much greater range than Bluetooth, and has the added benefit of drawing very little power. Without exception, every single device running on Z-Wave can communicate with each other, and runs at such a low frequency it’s not subject to interference.
What Z-Wave does in the smart home
In the smart home Z-Wave allows devices to communicate easily. The system is usually run via a hub that connects to the internet, but devices can still talk independently with each other. Due to the low power consumption and reliability, Z-Wave is the perfect connection for sensors, lightbulbs, appliances and more and the technology is now incorporated into 94 million devices (or 70 per cent of the smart home market).
Or as the Z-Wave Alliance explains: “Z-Wave is a world-standard wireless technology that lets all your home electronics talk to each other, and to you, via remote control.
“It uses simple, reliable, low-power radio waves that easily travel through walls, floors and cabinets, without interference from the other wireless devices you might have in your home. Z-Wave control can be added to almost anything electronic, even devices that you wouldn’t ordinarily think of as “intelligent,” such as appliances, window shades, thermostats and lights.”
How we use it
At Lera Smart Home Solutions our preferred supplier of smart home automation systems is Fibaro – a company which has actively embraced the convenience and ease of Z-Wave.
As Fibaro explains, their hub, known as Home Center 2, “…manages all Fibaro Z-wave devices as well as most 3rd party Z-wave devices with a wide library of built in drivers for multimedia, which include smart TV’s, IP cameras, thermostats, security alarm systems, and media players”.
“Home Center 2 also has advanced user rights and management features coupled with independent GPS location allowing for creative scenes based on individual family members, anywhere in the world.”
About Lera
Lera Smart Home Solutions is a leading installer of smart home technology in the greater Sydney region. Our team boasts over 20 years’ experience in IT networking, programming and the electrical industry.
We have sourced the most reliable and cost efficient solutions from around the world to provide the very best in smart home solutions, and work with our clients to understand their needs.
You can learn more about transforming your house into a smart home here, or contact us directly for further advice.
