Wondering how the working radius of the HE hub compares to a typical WiFi router, everything being equal. Difficult question to answer I'm sure as there are variables like brand of WiFi router in question, etc. A specific answer is probably not possible, but how about in general terms?
WiFi and Zigbee should be the same.
They share the 2.4ghz frequency band that has specific limits on power. That results in specific limits on range.
"A general rule of thumb in home networking says that Wi-Fi routers operating on the 2.4 GHz band reach up to 150 feet (46 m) indoors and 300 feet (92 m) outdoors. "
ZWave, at a variety of frequencies in the 800-900 range, will penetrate further, so it's power limits are lower.
"Z-Wave has a range of 100 meters or 328 feet in open air, building materials reduce that range."
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To add to this most plugged-in or hardwired devices act as mesh repeaters for the wireless signal type they use (Zigbee or Z-Wave) to help extend the range much further.
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Keep in mind, Glen, that the technical radius of the radio antenna and the effective radius of your HE hub are two very different things. Since zwave and zigbee are both mesh configurations that allow for multiple hops from the hub to the device and back (I think zwave has a max of three hops, not sure about zigbee--others here are way more expert than am I), you can effectively achieve much farther reach than the radio reach. Obviously caveats around mains' powered repeaters and YMMV.
This was always my pet peeve with ST. They would market some "range" and would never clearly state whether it was the one-hop radio range, or the multi-hop effective range. Big diff! Welcome to the HE community!
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Understood. My inquiry was meant to preclude variables like repeaters. I should have made that more clear but I understand everything you just stated. Thanks.
Four with a range of around 600ft between routers. Max of 232 devices.
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