new system build input?

[thebrack]

I'm about to pull the trigger and get a bunch of parts for my home. First time trying this out.

 

I'm on the fence for the controller, obviously the ISY994i but the plain, the zigbee or the zwave.

 

I have a handful of MCT320SMA door sensors I could use, but looks like the ISY zigbee controller can't use them. I don't have any zwave items at the moment, so I could wait until a zwave plus module becomes available unless there is a benefit of the sensors over insteon.

 

My main question then would be comparing the door sensors and motion sensors insteon vs zwave is there an advantage of one over the other? I hate changing batteries so the longer lasting sensors the better, I'm only using them for lights on/off and a good 25-30 min before lights off is needed after motion.

 

Another question, is there any reason not to get the dimming switches when controlling lights? If they control non-dimming they should be able to be set 100%on/off right?

 

I'll also be controlling multiple fans with lights as well. The insteon fanlinc looks perfect paired with a six button wall remote and 8 button hand held.

 

Thanks for any input.

[MWareman]

Another question, is there any reason not to get the dimming switches when controlling lights? If they control non-dimming they should be able to be set 100%on/off right?

 

Insteon dimmers are triac based dimmers (waveform clipping) rather than resistive. There are *some* loads that have problems with triac dimmers, since even at 100% the waveform is still slightly clipped.

 

I have some LED non-dimmable bulbs that I have on relay based switches for this reason. On a dimmable switch at 100% they buzzed terribly...

Edited August 10, 2015 by MWareman

[Brian H]

Even at 100% ON. The AC waveform is distorted as the triac switches when the AC changes polarity.

Many loads not rated to be on a dimmer may act strange. Or there is a small chance the switch or load could be damaged.

Stick to relay On Off switches with non-dimmabe loads or use loads rated for dimmers.

[larryllix]

I use all dimmers and no switches for my lighting.

 

I use many LED bulbs and always watch for dimming capability when I purchase them. I do have a few non-dimmable CFL bulbs on Insteon Dimmers and I just don't dim them, using Fast On/Off or only 100% and Off. They have never been a problem for me.

 

Interesting when two wire wave chopping dimmers are used it is very difficult to trigger a triac right at zero crossing. For a three wire device having it's own constantly charged power supply zero-crossing switching is quite possible and common on specialty dimming circuits. Has anybody actually scoped an Insteon Dimmer to see if a piece of the waveform is missing at zero crossings? Insteon devices rely heavily on zero-crossing for timing.  I have never noticed the lack of full brilliance on any bulbs on Insteon devices as is seen with more passive dimming devices. OTOH, I mostly use CFL and LED bulbs that could hide that phenomenon due to waveform-peak grabbing power supplies anyway.

[Teken]

I'm about to pull the trigger and get a bunch of parts for my home. First time trying this out.

 

I'm on the fence for the controller, obviously the ISY994i but the plain, the zigbee or the zwave.

 

I have a handful of MCT320SMA door sensors I could use, but looks like the ISY zigbee controller can't use them. I don't have any zwave items at the moment, so I could wait until a zwave plus module becomes available unless there is a benefit of the sensors over insteon.

 

My main question then would be comparing the door sensors and motion sensors insteon vs zwave is there an advantage of one over the other? I hate changing batteries so the longer lasting sensors the better, I'm only using them for lights on/off and a good 25-30 min before lights off is needed after motion.

 

Another question, is there any reason not to get the dimming switches when controlling lights? If they control non-dimming they should be able to be set 100%on/off right?

 

I'll also be controlling multiple fans with lights as well. The insteon fanlinc looks perfect paired with a six button wall remote and 8 button hand held.

 

Thanks for any input.

 

As you noted the ISY Series Controller does not currently support the ZigBee HA 1.2 protocol and only the energy management aspect. It was stated this was on UDI's road map at some point in time after various mile stones were completed such as Z-Wave, 5.XX, etc.

 

I don't for see ZigBee HA 1.2 being supported for several years at its current pace of development.

 

With respect to which brand to go with over all the Insteon products look and feel much better when compared to Z-Wave. The one device which I have to give the nod to is the Z-Wave Aeotec 6-1 multi sensor: http://www.smarthome.com/aeotec-zw100-a-z-wave-multisensor-6.html

 

Insteon does not offer such a small, flexible sensor at the moment. Another aspect which I have to give the nod to is many of the newer Z-Wave products offer *Energy Monitoring* in their hardware profile. This is from outlets, switches, micro modules etc.

 

In that respect it provides the end user more value and insight along with the same control Insteon does. I believe if you purchase the Z-Wave upgrade kit you will have the very best of both worlds.

 

As you will have native support for X-10, Insteon, and Z-Wave . . .

 

There are also more TSTAT's, Locks  for Z-Wave than there are for the ZigBee protocol. Lastly, you will find pricing for Z-Wave products often times cheaper when compared to ZigBee. The ZigBee protocol has huge potential and flexibility unfortunately UDI and many others do not provide full support to take advantage of such.

 

Perhaps once all of this Z-Wave / 5.XX settles down there will be development time set aside to increase ZigBee support.

[MWareman]

 

 

Has anybody actually scoped an Insteon Dimmer to see if a piece of the waveform is missing at zero crossings? Insteon devices rely heavily on zero-crossing for timing.

I've seen others images of the output of an Insteon dimmer at 100% - the waveform was clipped slightly. I just recently got my own digital storage scope, so I'll see if I can capture a waveform for myself when I get a chance.

[larryllix]

I've seen others images of the output of an Insteon dimmer at 100% - the waveform was clipped slightly. I just recently got my own digital storage scope, so I'll see if I can capture a waveform for myself when I get a chance.

I guess I could try this too with a LampLinc output. Probably need an incandescent load not to taint the waveform current or switching profile.

 

Been too busy doing landscaping this summer.     Just what I always wanted.

[oberkc]

I'm on the fence for the controller, obviously the ISY994i but the plain, the zigbee or the zwave.

 

 I second the suggestion to get the z-wave version.  While I have been happy with insteon and intend to continue using it, every once-in-a-while I see zwave devices that are good deals.  It is nice to be able mix and match and take advantage of sales and clearances. 

 

And, at the risk of starting another discussion about security, I prefer the options with z-wave-enabled locks. 

[thebrack]

Great info! Thanks.

Most of my normal lights are dimming LED but I'll make sure to get the other switches for the lights that aren't.

 

Z-wave does sound like the way to go. My thought was waiting until they make a z-wave plus module though after seeing those multi sensors and that they can be powered over USB not just batteries I may not wait for an updated module then.