I just fought with this on weekend after changing some things around and discovering my GE/Enbrighten/Jasco wall switches with motion sensor get its motion sensor triggered by another Z-Wave switch in the same 2-gang box (which controls a ceiling fan). I originally had a Jasco ZWave switch, and then replaced with a Zooz Zen71 and both do the same thing. I suspect some RF interference from the Z-Wave switch being too close to the motion sensor.

I have two exact configurations in two separate bathrooms and both have the exact same issue so I would rule out that my GE Motion switch is defective and rather claim that it is a defect in them.

Here is pic of the switches to make clearer.

GE
In-Wall Smart Motion Switch
SKU: 26931/ZW4006

I have confirmed that it is the Motion sensor being affected and not some other type of inerference by watching the Motion Sensor Node in AC while turning on/off the other switch and see it come on about 40-50% of the time. Further troubleshooting steps by disabling the Motion sensor via Parameter 6 set to 0 confirms this and prevents the light from turning on with the fan switch, but defeats the point of having a motion light.

I have a program that turns light on when entering bathroom based on motion, fan on after 15 sec, then everything off after 30 min of last motion detected. Also a scheduled program turning the fan on once an hour for 10 minutes, but it triggers the motion sensor about 50% of the time, causing the light to come on, then triggering my program.

I wonder if anyone else has an issue with these GE Motion Lights?

Solution was a mix of programs that temporarily disable other programs, state variable, disable motion sensor via parameters and seems to work now, but I have been there before where I think it is working on ISY and find a quirk

I post my programs here, maybe there is better way to do this is result of several attempts over weekend to come up with something that works - it is a bit challenging to have the light come on/off with a fan schedule which inadvertently causes programs to run because of this Motion sensor interference.

 

===================================================================================
Downstairs Bathroom - [ID 00DA][Parent 0001]

Folder Conditions for 'Downstairs Bathroom'

If
   - No Conditions - (To add one, press 'Schedule' or 'Condition')
 
Then
   Allow the programs in this folder to run.
 



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downstairs Bathroom Fan On Schedule - [ID 00DB][Parent 00DA]

If
        (
             Time is 12:00:00AM
          Or Time is  4:00:00AM
          Or Time is  8:00:00AM
          Or Time is 12:00:00PM
          Or Time is  4:00:00PM
          Or Time is  8:00:00PM
          Or Time is Last Run Time for 'Downstairs Bathroom Fan On Schedule' +  1 hour 
        )
    And $Downstairs_Bathroom_Occupancy is not 1
 
Then
        Disable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' On
        Wait  4 seconds
        Enable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
        Wait  10 minutes 
        Disable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' Off
        Wait  4 seconds
        Enable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 
Runs fan every hour for 5 minutes
Does not run if Bathroom is Occupied (set by state var in Main Bathroom On)
Resets to on the hour time every 4 hours in case of restart or drift.

Disables Main Bathroom On program while turning on/off fan because the motion light
comes on sometimes due to false triggering interference from fan being close in same gang box.
Wait times are necessary to give enough time before enabling program - based on lots of testing.
Less than 4 sec is unreliable.




-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downstairs Bathroom Off  - [ID 00E0][Parent 00DA][Not Enabled]

If
        'Downstairs Bathroom / ZY 041 Motion Sensor' Status is Off
 
Then
        Disable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
        $Downstairs_Bathroom_Occupancy  = 0
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Light' Set Configuration Parameter 6 = 0
        Wait  4 seconds
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' Off
        Wait  4 seconds
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Light' Set Configuration Parameter 6 = 1
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Light' Off
        Enable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
 
Else
        Run Program 'Downstairs Bathroom Off ' (If)
 
Don't run until Motion Sensor is off
Otherwise the parameters settings can hang it stuck on On position


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downstairs Bathroom On - [ID 00D9][Parent 00DA]

If
        'Downstairs Bathroom / ZY 041 Motion Sensor' is switched On
 
Then
        $Downstairs_Bathroom_Occupancy  = 1
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Light' On
        Wait  15 seconds
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' On
        Wait  30 minutes 
        $Downstairs_Bathroom_Occupancy  = 0
        Run Program 'Downstairs Bathroom Off ' (If)
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 
Uses motion sensor to turn on light.
Parameter 15 to 1 (10 seconds motion reset).
Parameter 3 to 1 (Manual mode).
Paraneter 13 to 1 (Motion Sensitivity High)
Sets state variable to disable schedule if running.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downstairs Bathroom Programs Disable - [ID 00DE][Parent 00DA]

If
        'Downstairs Bathroom / ZY 051 Scene Button 2' is switched Fade Up
 
Then
        Disable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
        Disable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom Fan On Schedule'
        $Downstairs_Bathroom_Occupancy  = 0
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' Set Configuration Parameter 14 = 3
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' Set Configuration Parameter 2 = 3
        Wait  2 hours 
        Run Program 'Downstairs Bathroom Programs Enable' (Then Path)
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 
Disables bathroom programs with long press of fan bottom paddle for 2 hours.
In case want to shower or something.
Turnes LED RED always ON.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downstairs Bathroom Programs Enable - [ID 00DF][Parent 00DA]

If
        'Downstairs Bathroom / ZY 051 Scene Button 1' is switched Fade Up
 
Then
        $Downstairs_Bathroom_Occupancy  = 0
        Enable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'
        Enable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom Fan On Schedule'
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' Set Configuration Parameter 14 = 1
        Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' Set Configuration Parameter 2 = 0
        Stop program 'Downstairs Bathroom Programs Disable'
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 
Enables bathroom programs with long press of fan top paddle.
In case want to shower or something.
Sets LED to default Blue when OFF only.
Stops program Disable if already running, not really necessary but makes logic more sense.

 

 

Edited February 6, 20232 yr by brians

Update... I replaced the Zen71 with a Zen51 and a modified decora dumb switch so it is momentary.

It has same interference issue... was thinking of putting a tin foil shield in between out of desperation of other things to try LOL.

First time wiring up a Zen51 like this and works great, but considering the price difference it makes sense to just purchase something like Zen71 instead which is easier to install. Only use I can think is if want to control/add ceiling lights with no existing switch, or if your switch box has no neutral.

Maybe I should throw an Insteon switchlinc in there instead

It is a very common configuration to have a light and fan switch in same gang box in bathrooms.

Clever programing workaround.  I wonder if moving the ZEN51 to the fan junction box would help?

Also, another use case for the ZEN 51 is to make an existing switch smart (without the wife noticing).

2 hours ago, TSinclair said:

Clever programing workaround.  I wonder if moving the ZEN51 to the fan junction box would help?

Also, another use case for the ZEN 51 is to make an existing switch smart (without the wife noticing).

I am going to try it with Zen51 hanging out a bit further away from the GE motion light to see if interferes still. Putting in fan box would work, but there is also a humidistat control in hallway outside that is wired in parallel and turns fan on so based on humidity setting so not sure how that wiring would work at fan. I would have to change the Zen51 parameter from momentary back to toggle and I would also gain ability to tell when fan is on with humidistat... but I think it could get out of sync if turned on/off remotely and make humidistat be backwards. Maybe I can wire behind the humidistat instead. The downstairs bathroom does not have a humidistat so would be a more suitable location to test this. Ideally, should remote the humidistat and use something like ZSE40 to monitor humidity. Not sure why they put these humidistats in, think it is code, but I doubt that one fan can dehumidify the entire house considering I have three levels.

I think I may have found a bug in my program, I notice that after the fan schedule program runs, light still comes on sometimes. I can see down hallway while watching TV in family room.

Since I have motion sensor set to 10 sec reset which is the quickest, these lines in the fan on program...

Set 'Downstairs Bathroom / Downstairs Bathroom Fan' Off
        Wait  4 seconds
        Enable Program 'Downstairs Bathroom On'

I should wait at least 10 seconds (probably bit longer just in case) prior to re-enabling the Downstairs Bathroom On in order for it to clear the motion sensor state if was accidentally triggered via RF interference when bathroom fan is turned off. I think that enabling the program with motion sensor on may make the if true, but not sure on this. Gonna make change anyways and see if fixes.