I'm calmer now (I have orange hair, so please bear with me). No offense taken and I agree with what you're saying in principle.
Again, my issue isn't with the standards, those who follow them, or the complexities they outline. My issue is with GE's representation of a product with a complete lack and disregard for them. Sure, the symbols on the page are familiar, but when you start adding arbitrary designation letters to the drawings of your own product, how about actually making that product to match.
The biggest foul here is the fact that they fail to advise customers that it might it not work for their setup in a clear and understandable way. I know how to identify the which wire is which using a multimeter, even in spite of the idiot who installed the switches originally using all the same colors (I Didn't even know Romex came like that!). I've changed 3 and 4 way switched before, there is no reason that anyone should have any issues here.
If the product being installed differs from what is standard for any reason, I say it's on the manufacturer to either design the product so it's not apparent, or clearly illustrate it. GE half measured that and have its customers a fraction of the information needed. I love you guys for being willing to teach us this stuff, and listen to us (me) whine, but the stupid thing should have been designed to be installed exactly as if you were installing a dumb switch.
Would be nice, but unfortunately the wiring requirements for a "smart" 3 Way switch are different than for a dumb switch.
I still maintain that these devices are targeted for the folks who do not need a step by step. One should understand the system or obtain the help form others before starting such an expedition.
And I cannot stress workmanship enough, I've seen poorly installed wires / receptacles / switches installed by supposedly a "licensed" electrician. Cuts on wires, wire nuts that don't completely cover the bare portions of wire etc.
The biggest foul here is the fact that they fail to advise customers that it might it not work for their setup in a clear and understandable way
Again, they do state (I believe) that a neutral is required for the operation of the ZWave portion of the switch.
For instance, I have a 4 way I want to convert to a smart switch(s). My next step is to remove the cover plates and map out the wires to see what I can / or cannot put in each location. I do this before purchasing the switch.
So I guess we likely agree to disagree.
In any case I applaud your drive and resourcefulness to get you project complete.
Thanks!! As far as agreeing to disagree, I suspect you're the most right here, as I concede that I tend to lose patience with inanimate things very quickly. People, in contrast, I will have nearly limitless patience for. A great example is my being ripping pissed at the obscure concept of a GE technical writer who is cross eyed, lazy, and apathetic (let's throw in entitled for funnsies), and curse them up and down. Or the electrician who, in my minds eye was drinking cheap beer even he wired up the house and slipped the inspector (who had a huge dip in and smelled of old hot dogs) a dirty wrinkled $20 bill. But the instant I actually meet these people, they are not like that and all frustrations are instantly neutralized. Dang empathy......ok, I'll let us know how it goes, that write up on the smartthings forum that I think was linked from someone here, it is awesome and will be at the ready.
