Z-wave in-wall switch behaviour?

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kryptonjohn

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#1813963 6-Jul-2017 15:45

These guys offer 921.42Mhz and are cheapish, I wonder if anyone is brave enough to try them here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zipato-Micro-Module-Switch-Double-3-pack/332185550758

davidcole

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#1813994 6-Jul-2017 16:14

It's all to do with the production Runs. I had one company say they needed 2000 units to do an au/nz run. Another $100,000 worth.

Hoping at some point frequency will be firmware updatable.

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kryptonjohn

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#1814001 6-Jul-2017 16:27

Yep, I understand manufacturing production. In this case there is no re-tooling, it is just a different z-wave chip frequency.

The chips themselves are getting made in reasonable quantities and indeed if you go to Sigma Designs there doesn't seem to be much price difference for the different frequencies for the chips.

If it was a change in plastic molding e.g. for a smart switch socket I would understand.

I think we're just getting shafted because we're a small market.

evilengineer

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#1814322 7-Jul-2017 11:57

There must be reason for AUS/NZ being on a different Z-Wave frequency to everyone else.

But as far as not getting shafted in the market is concerned wouldn't it make sense for the authorities to at least try and go with the same frequencies as the big boys (either US or EU) wherever possible?

And as stated previously, its a shame Sigma don't other a single Z-wave chip SKU with a firmware selectable frequency. Again, I'm assuming there's an engineering reason for this.

kryptonjohn

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#1814332 7-Jul-2017 12:10

Government RF spectrum allocation?

There's 13 different frequencies - NZ/AU use 921.4MHz along with Malaysia and a bunch of South American countries.

I should say that the local distributors in NZ are not reaming us - I can't see they are making much margin because of the high wholesale price.

SumnerBoy

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#1814336 7-Jul-2017 12:14

Yep - I was selling Z-Wave gear for a while there - and you are right, the margins are pretty small.

evilengineer

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#1814419 7-Jul-2017 14:01

kryptonjohn:

Government RF spectrum allocation?

There's 13 different frequencies - NZ/AU use 921.4MHz along with Malaysia and a bunch of South American countries.

I should say that the local distributors in NZ are not reaming us - I can't see they are making much margin because of the high wholesale price.

Fair enough, but why does the Government mandated RF allocation need to be different to that of the two biggest markets?

Why the need for thirteen different frequencies around the world?

And what could 868.42MHz or 908.42MHz devices potentially interfere with if you used them in NZ?

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kryptonjohn

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#1814447 7-Jul-2017 14:14

Nothing as far as I can tell. You could just use a US controller/hub and US devices and it would all work fine. Technically an offence with consequences if you got busted but what are the chances?

richms

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#1814477 7-Jul-2017 14:57

Because NZ and AU have both 800 and 900MHz cellular networks, in the US the 900MHz is a really longstanding allocation for short range devices - from memory before even 2.4GHz stuff since it was used for cordless phones etc in the past. UK has always had 900MHz cellular, and an 800MHz short range device allocation.

Richard rich.ms

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