We're going to be adding some new switches, not a ton, may 15 to 20 max, and was wondering about whether I need to be concerned w/"keeping up" with the electrician who's going to install them
ADDED: Sorry - left out details! C7 hub (have two, actually). Switches are a combination of Honeywell Z-Wave Plus (the newer "slimline" version) and likely a few Inovelli's. But mostly the Honeywells. I have a nice stable Z-Wave mesh and have gotten a second hub (in a relatively small 2400 sq ft ranch, so not worried about range.
I've always installed all my switches myself, as they were replacements for existing switches so was doing them one at a time. In this case the electrician will install all of the switches (and a couple smart plugs) in one go and then I'll follow behind at the end of the day to start adding them to my hub.
Aside from not bombarding my hub w/adding all of them in one long marathon inclusion session, any issues I need to be aware of? Will the fact that the electricial tests the switches by turning them on and off have any effect on me getting them into pairing mode later on? Sounds like a silly question, but I've just never had a situation like this.
If not lutron you might have a bit of a struggle. Just say you are willing to accept responsibility for them. I have worked with several electricians and only one was a real pain in the about it. Also make sure they use the proper screws and don't over torque things...
I had one crew ignore the switches boxes just install all dimmers - great for porch and shower lights.. arghh.. they claimed the boxes all looked the same.
Also had another electrician lie to me about the lamppost light being in a loop so he couldn't add a smartswitch but had to tie it in with my porch light smart switch. Operated that way for a couple years until I discovered the treachery.
Have you thought about installing them yourself and just having the electrician certify them before they are powered on? Is that something that the code where you are will allow? Would that be better?
I think the electricians will do it as long as @danabw brings his "A" game personality like he usually does. You just have to accept responsibility - they don't want call backs or to be blamed for anything.
i replaced all my switches in a new build and have no issues. as long as you know how to properly terminate the wires, you should be fine. the only thing i would confirm with them is if they will have a neutral in all the boxes. i know a while ago that wasn't necessary, but it should be code now (depending on your state)
Thanks for all the info, and for reminding me I left out important info. I just assumed everyone keeps a detailed log of my hubs and devices.
I've updated the OP, but the deets are:
C7 Hub (two of them), the new one will be at the end of the house where the contstruction is and pick up all the new switches and a few existing in the area.
Honeywell Z-Wave plus switches (actually they are all dimmers) and a couple Z-Wave in-wall outlets, and likely a couple Inovelli's where I may want to be able to control a smart bulb in a fixture directly.
Three way: We were just discussing this last night - what we needed, and it looks like we'll need two or three three-ways to make things work the way we want, so not too bad.
My brother is the general contractor (yes, I got lucky in terms of siblings) so I don't think I'll have any trouble getting him/his sub to install the switches...everything will have neutrals, I believe
that's been code here for years. I'll reconfirm, but we got neutrals in another remodel almost 15 years ago, and never asked for them. (Should have seen my confused face the first time I pulled the cover of one of the new switches a little after the remodel to replace it w/a dimmer..."White wire, what the F is that white wire!?)
I would just supply the Z-wave switches to the electrician and let them install and test. Then go in behind them after they are done and one by one run the inclusion. Worst case is you flip the circuit breaker off/on to put the switches back into inclusion mode. That way you can go one by one as you get further away from your hub(s) per best practice.
Also suggest you mind the Z-wave best practice and don't include more than 20 devices in a single session.
Thanks...yes, I forgot I can just pull the airgap on the Honeywell stuff at the switch, easy-peasy!
My nice situation is that the second C7 hub that these switches will be connected to will be in the new area with the switches, none of them (assuming I get approval from wife for my desired mounting location) more than 20' and one interior wall from the hub.
A few points about those 3 way switches:
You have a few alternatives:
Keep the existing Dumb switch, and keep it always in the On position. This will allow you to keep control when you put the z-wave switch on the "load" switch.
Use the new Zen34 (fake switch), instead of a real switch. Push all wires to the back of the box. (A similar approach is what I recently did on a full house install - I had the electrician put in Lutron Pico's .)
Use the Honeywell Zwave companion switch (?). I'm not familiar with the Honeywell devices, so I'm not sure about this, but I think they probably have such a switch.
Honeywell does have companion switches and this is my plan at this point. I want full control at each location, and also want control that is not dependent on the hub, so using a Pico or Zen34 type of approach w/wires connected behind in the box isn't an option. Absolutely required for WAF (and this is something I prefer as well) is full functionality if hub/network is down.
about it. Also make sure they use the proper screws and don't over torque things...
