Leviton VRPA1-1LW - good price but one issue

[kohai]

Leviton VRPA1-1LW - z-wave appliance module, scene capable

 

http://a.co/2k5qxfG

 

I bought two of these to control two Christmas trees.  I figured $23 was reasonable for a no-frills on/off solution and Leviton is a good name and it says it supports scenes.  I should have read the reviews carefully.  When in the off position, this (and similar models) leak power.  My large LED Christmas tree is fine (big, like 12 feet with a lot of lights).  My little 8 foot pencil tree has issues -- when the power is off, the LED bulbs are still on but really dim (this is not a dimmer z-wave module).

 

In reading the amazon reviews one person said if the item being controlled doesn't have a neutral that this can happen.  I put a power strip between the pencil tree and the module and it now works. 

 

Thought I would pass this along.  Good price if you have the right application.

 

(Note that the other thing to be aware of is that there is no power switch on the module itself.  You can only turn on/off from a z-wave hub/controller.)

[MWareman]

That's pretty typical of many modules (Insteon included). It's the current sensor in the module - to work it has to let a very small current flow so it can tell if the light is locally switched on or off. With very low impedance lights (like LEDs) it causes them to glow dimly.

 

Solution is to disable current sense (if the Levitron module supports it) or connect something additional in parallel to the LEDs to sink the current.

[kohai]

That's pretty typical of many modules (Insteon included). It's the current sensor in the module - to work it has to let a very small current flow so it can tell if the light is locally switched on or off. With very low impedance lights (like LEDs) it causes them to glow dimly.

 

Solution is to disable current sense (if the Levitron module supports it) or connect something additional in parallel to the LEDs to sink the current.

 

Good to know.  I'll see if Leviton publishes any z-wave parameters.