I found a great Outdoor motion sensor/light with Z-wave from 007 Systems. Now I am told their devices are not compatible with Alarm.com z-wave. I thought when something says Certified the rules are followed? How can we know what devices are compatible? The z-wave device lists on Alarm.com and Interlogix are quite limited especially for outdoor devices.
I thought when something says Certified the rules are followed? How can we know what devices are compatible?
Well, yes and no. Z-wave is a communication RF protocol. Any Z-wave device will speak the language of the panel’s automation radio, but many are not compatible due to unsupported command classes (basically the device type) or because that device needs the controller’s software to be tooled toward its usage.
This page should be followed for compatibility with GE modules, like Simon or Concord modules.
In general, always follow the compatibility page for thermostats and locks. These are more complicated and commonly require software support.
Single function light switches on the other hand are fairly universal. A single function light switch not found on the linked list will likely still work, because there is really only the “Binary Switch” command class and little to no other variation between models.
Note that zero Z-wave sensors are compatible. The alarm controllers do not use Z-wave for sensor input.
It looks like the instructions for the model you seem to reference describes the device as a multi-function device. The sensor portion is learned in simultaneously with the light and this would not be compatible, no.
In this case it would probably be better to just use a compatible Z-wave wall switch for the circuit and a regular motion light fixture.
Not only would this be roughly the same cost depending on the model, but it would actually benefit your Z-wave network. The switch would be closer to the controller and less reliant on repeating nodes for signaling.
The claims on the page I saw for the device you reference are a bit spurious. While any AC powered device will typically act as a repeater for the Z-wave network, its outdoor placement virtually ensures no other devices would route through it, and you would be likely to require another node or two between it and the panel for it to communicate anyway, depending on distance/placement.
So Alarm.com z-wave can not handle simple inputs like from a motion detector, door/window sensor etc. In other words, anything that would have to input to the Simon firmware. The z-wave controller is a separate entity.
Thank you for your response. I think a lot of my z-wave haze has cleared, no, I should say Alarm.com z-wave haze has cleared. This is a GREAT FORUM.