ZWAVE Motor Control:part 1

FAQ: Can I use ZWAVE to control shade and blind motors?

Our ZWAVE^® shade and blind motor controller (DCC-ZWAVE-12R) can be used to activate our radio equipped blind and shade motors using RF (Radio Frequency) for transmission of a remote control signal. These units can also function as Z-wave repeaters, passing signals on to other z-wave devices in the vicinity. This is the first in a series of articles about how to set up our ZWAVE^® controller.

You can use it with any Z WAVE hub, such as Wink, SmartThings, Vera, Homeseer, Syslink, Zipr, Xuan, Razberry Pi, Staples Connect, Fibaro, Xuan, Homelive, Isis, Nexia, etc.

Z-Wave Motor Control Applications

This ZWAVE^® controller can be used with our radio motors. It connects to our radio motor wall switch which transmits a radio signal to a small antenna in the motor; a microprocessor then decodes the signals to activate the motor with open/close/stop functions. The default 'relay on' trigger period is 1 second, but it can be programmed to hold the trigger condition for up to 255 seconds.

This ZWAVE^® controller can also be used with our non-radio blind motors (and skylight/window openers). It connects to our wired motor wall switch which controls the DC voltage of the motor feed, providing open/close/stop functions.

ZWAVE^® controller for blinds and shade motors can be purchased in our online store, click here to view in a new window

The RF radio control signal is also capable of passing through walls and in most cases can reach anywhere inside a typical home.

Preparing the Controller Out of the Box

Installation is relatively straightforward; the 3 electrically isolated relays (NO - normally open) each have a pair of wires, and the unit is powered by a pair, so there is a total of 8 wires. Here are the steps to follow for preparing the Zwave module so that it is ready to connect to the motor controller:

• Strip the insulation from the individual wires in the wiring harness, about 1/4 inch is good.
• Connect the power supply screw adapter that we supply to the red and black wires, but be sure to observe polarity. If you look closely at the screw adapter, you'll see the symbols for plus (+) and minus (-) (picture at right). Don't power it up yet.
• Insert the header connector into the unit; note that it is 'keyed' and only fits one way - it should not be forced. There are 2 small slots on the header receptacle connector (in the unit itself, see picture below), and the header connector has 2 corresponding ridges that slide into those slots.

We supply terminal blocks with screw terminals to connect the 6 relay wires to the device you want to trigger, either the wired wall switch for our non-radio motors (and window openers), or the radio wall switch for our radio blind and shade motors.

At this point you can connect the six relay wires to one side of the terminal blocks, but make sure you don't trap any insulation inside the screw terminals as it can actually prevent the wire from contacting the conductive metal parts.

Here is the color coding of the 6 relay wires:

• Relay 1 (Open function): White and White/Black
• Relay 2 (Close function): Gray and Gray/Black
• Relay 3 (Stop function): Brown and Brown/Red

Z-Wave Motor Controller: Operational Summary

The schematic diagram of the actual relay configuration is very straightforward, as seen in the simplified schematic below. The relays are just switches that are normally open. When the zwave receiver gets a radio control signal, it activates the designated relay just the same as if you had flipped a light switch.

In the schematic, we show relay 1 and relay 2 in the normally open circuit position, but relay 3 is shown in the activated position, which simply completes the circuit, triggering whatever is connected to the screw terminals. Relays 1 and 2 do exactly the same thing when they are triggered by a remote radio signal from a zwave hub or remote.

In the next instalment, we'll show you how to connect this device to the wall switches that provide the motor reversing functions.

ZWAVE controller for blinds and shade motors can be purchased in our online store, click here to view in a new window

PART 1: ZWAVE control of shade and blind motors - Introduction (YOU ARE HERE)

PART 2: ZWAVE motor controller for blinds and window openers - Connecting to the wired wall switch

PART 3: ZWAVE controller for blinds - Linking to a Radio Motor with our Input/Output radio wall switch

PART 4: ZWAVE controller for blind motors- Creating ZWAVE controller events (Vera example)

We sincerely hope you enjoy using these advanced motors; if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time!