What is a Scene Button

[mikek]

I just added my first device, a HomeSeer HS-WD-100+ dimmer (thanks for the recommendation Asbril). Everything is working properly, but at the same time the device was added, so were two additional scene buttons. I named my device "Front Porch Dimmer" and the scene buttons got named "ZW 002 Scene Button 1" and "ZW 002 Scene Button 2". I'm just trying to keep things neat and logical as I grow my system, so I'm wondering what to do with these. Why were they automatically created? Why two? If they're associated with the dimmer, why don't they have the same name? And so on. I'm sure I'll be getting into scenes in the future, so do I keep them or delete them and add later as necessary?

 

Sorry about the dumb questions but I want to make sure I thoroughly understand what I'm doing.

[asbril]

I just added my first device, a HomeSeer HS-WD-100+ dimmer (thanks for the recommendation Asbril). Everything is working properly, but at the same time the device was added, so were two additional scene buttons. I named my device "Front Porch Dimmer" and the scene buttons got named "ZW 002 Scene Button 1" and "ZW 002 Scene Button 2". I'm just trying to keep things neat and logical as I grow my system, so I'm wondering what to do with these. Why were they automatically created? Why two? If they're associated with the dimmer, why don't they have the same name? And so on. I'm sure I'll be getting into scenes in the future, so do I keep them or delete them and add later as necessary?

 

Sorry about the dumb questions but I want to make sure I thoroughly understand what I'm doing.

These scene  buttons can be used for double and triple taps. Somewhere in this forum someone wrote a more detailed description.

I actually use this option in only one case. In my living room a simple tap turns ON/OFF the scone lamps, and a double tap turns ON/OFF a scene that controls all lights in my living room.

For practical display reasons I have moved  all the Scene buttons that I do not (currently) use to a folder that I named 'Scene buttons to be used'.

[oberkc]

Regarding "scenes", I understand that this could depend on what version of ISY software you are running.  I use v4.X, but I understand v5.X could be a bit more capable with z-wave.  In my version, I have not found that z-wave devices can be controllers of scenes...only responders.  

 

Sometimes those zwave devices have additional features (temperature, light) that may show up as a node within a given z-wave device.  Perhaps yours has an additional node beyond the basic switch function?  I am not sure whether the automatic naming of these nodes "scene button x" is related to scenes created by the ISY that can include many different devices, controller, responders, etc....

[asbril]

Regarding "scenes", I understand that this could depend on what version of ISY software you are running.  I use v4.X, but I understand v5.X could be a bit more capable with z-wave.  In my version, I have not found that z-wave devices can be controllers of scenes...only responders.  

 

Sometimes those zwave devices have additional features (temperature, light) that may show up as a node within a given z-wave device.  Perhaps yours has an additional node beyond the basic switch function?  I am not sure whether the automatic naming of these nodes "scene button x" is related to scenes created by the ISY that can include many different devices, controller, responders, etc....

I do indeed use 5.0.11B and  I do not know what 4.X can or can not do. These switches can act as controller as well as responder but there no such features as motion, light, etc. For those interested in the Homeseer switches I suggest to wait a few weeks as there will be a new series with additional features. 

I believe that the sentinel lights of the dimmer switch can be used to alert of the status of other devices. I intend (once I have one of these new switches) to link one of these sentinel lights to a motion detector at the front door so that I can see whether my son has come home.