What are the main real-world opinions on the Fibaro Z-Wave smart home system, especially for a new house?
Fibaro is generally viewed as a convenient, expandable wireless smart-home system that works well for retrofits and basic automation, but many users still prefer a wired system for a new build because they consider it more reliable and less prone to interference [#9979253][#9985433] One user who tested it said installing the modules was straightforward, but setting up scenes was the harder part; the controller software is configured over the network, so you don’t need to lay long control cables [#10691543] Another owner reported that the system was working well after a week and that the dimmers did not click audibly [#10701630] On the negative side, one HC2 user said customer support and remote access were unreliable and that remote access had still not been fixed after several weeks [#10496512] Supporters also stressed that Z-Wave devices act as repeaters in a mesh network, so routes are reconfigured if one path is disturbed [#9985433]
AI summary based on the discussion. May contain errors.
Given the demands currently placed on building automation (integration with access control, intruder alarm systems, CCTV, A/V), RS-232 buses (which, from an electrical point of view, is what KNX is) are a thing of the past, though this does not mean they are not sufficient for small properties (e.g. a detached house).
In your opinion, which bus systems should be considered?
Exactly, I’m curious myself to know what the alternative is. A KNX bus-based installation complies with the ISO standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3) and the EN 50090, EN 13321-1 and EN 13321-2 standards.
In your opinion, which bus systems should be considered?
Hello,
From my point of view, large BMS systems these days should be built using Ethernet bus systems, i.e. Modbus TCP/IP, BacNet IP and LonTalk. Everyone knows what the reality is like in Poland. Facilities are mainly built using BacNet MSTP or LonWorks, and to be honest, they run rather slowly. A system comprising 100 controllers based on the LonWorks bus (over 6,000 I/O points) can take up to half an hour to fully recover after a power cut, because the bus is congested at the RS layer at that moment. What happens is that the server queries the LonTalk→LonWorks routers, and this causes congestion at the LonWorks layer. Naturally, the controllers continue to function, as the router prioritises communication between the controllers, but as far as I’m concerned, in the 21st century – with operating systems so well designed and widely deployed across every facility – it really makes sense to set up a dedicated WLAN for the BMS and route the traffic there.
Unfortunately, I fear that this situation will persist for quite some time in our country, as the lobbying power of Siemens, Schneider and Honeywell is enormous, and let’s be honest, their building solutions were only good 15–20 years ago.
A friend of mine has a smart home – he spent about 120tys (AMX) on top-of-the-range equipment, with multi-room systems and other bits and bobs, and I’ll tell you that half of those features aren’t worth the money – definitely the multi-room system, in his own words – and those touch panels are a right disaster; not only are they heavy, but the battery life’s a joke.These days, and in the future, everything will be controlled via a smartphone – simply because soon everyone will have one and everyone carries it around with them, rather than some weird touchscreen panel. Nowadays, even basic AV equipment is controlled via a smartphone – even Blu-ray players.
Personally, I’m considering Fibaro myself, even though I’m currently at the stage of laying cables in my house.
I want to buy a Fibaro system to control and manage my home. I’ve already identified most of the components (lighting, doors, etc.).
I need your advice on the following matters: - How to connect the Fibaro system to a liquid level sensor (septic tank). I need the Fibaro system to alert me when the tank reaches a certain maximum level.
- Which IP cameras do you recommend for use with the Fibaro system? Outdoor cameras with night vision. - I also need a water consumption meter. A meter fitted to the water pipe to monitor the amount of water used.
A mate of mine has a smart home – he spent about 120tys (AMX) on top-of-the-range kit, multiroom systems and other bits and bobs, and I’ll tell you that half of those features aren’t worth the money – definitely the multiroom system, in his own words – and those touch panels are a complete disaster; not only are they heavy, but the battery life is next to nothing.These days, and in the future, everything will be controlled via a smartphone – simply because soon everyone will have one and everyone carries it around with them, rather than some weird touchscreen panel. Nowadays, even the most basic AV equipment is controlled via a smartphone – even Blu-ray players.
Personally, I’m considering Fibaro myself, even though I’m currently at the stage of laying cables in my house.
I’m thinking along those lines about smartphone control, but on the other hand, when you walk into a room and your hands are wet, for example, it’s better to tap the button on the wall with your elbow – the same goes for the garage or the kitchen. Besides, your smartphone is sometimes in your pocket and other times in your bag or jacket, whereas a button has its own place on the wall Fibaro has the edge, particularly for retrofitting, but for wired systems, the DARIN bus is probably the best option. Twisted-pair cable is cheap, and everyone knows how to fit an RJ45 connector at the end. They say it can be laid however you like, so you don’t need to run kilometres of cable.
What do you think of this INT-TSG control panel Link ? I’m interested in a centralised control system for not only the alarm but also the lighting, heating, air conditioning and, for example, anti-burglary roller shutters. Do any of you have something like this? How does it perform?
As far as I’m concerned, that’s all there is to it. An unencrypted, simple bus – why hasn’t it found a use in public buildings? Who can guarantee that in a few years’ time, Z-Force won’t be just as popular as Z-Wave? We remember how the security of WEP-type Wi-Fi eventually fared.
As for home installations, I recommend the tried-and-tested DMX512; RGB controllers can be bought for a few dozen dollars, and you can use standard RS-485 running at 250 kHz. I’ve carried out a few installations myself based on PLCs and RS interfaces (RS-232C for controlling a home cinema); as for visualisation, there are tried-and-tested solutions from industrial automation that allow you to display a ‘visualisation’ on an iPad or Android tablet.
Generally speaking, when it comes to installations, I know that in practice half the features offered by elaborate systems are never actually used by customers. That’s why I recommend being sensible about what you want; ALL-IN-ONE systems are outrageously expensive. It’s better to ‘mix and match’ several apps – for example, use SONOS for audio, and PLCs for lighting, heating and weather stations, etc. Android and iOS really do offer considerable possibilities, and many manufacturers provide equipment compatible with these devices.
Wow... A few friends have already placed orders for this kit; we’ll let you know once we’ve tested it. Things are really taking off. I genuinely admire people who are pushing Z-Wave into bigger projects like property development...
As for the rest of the radio enthusiasts, I wouldn’t lump them all together. Some of them know why frames need to be encrypted
I also think that many of these smart home features are just gimmicks that cost money but offer practically no benefit. Here’s an interesting option – essentially like Fibaro but cheaper and designed for self-installation. It’s all you need to control heating, blinds and lighting. There are video guides on what to install and how, so you don’t need to be an automation expert – Smart 868
Good morning, this is my first post so I’m not sure if I’m in the right place. I’m thinking about buying an HC2. Initially, the system was intended to control the heating cables in an underfloor heating system. My question is: is the Fibaro 1x3kW relay switch capable of handling this task? I want to set up several heating zones, and each zone would not exceed 3 kW. The heating would be switched on for a certain period of time; I’ll think about thermostats later. Could this work?
Good morning, this is my first post so I’m not sure if I’m in the right place. I’m thinking about buying an HC2. Initially, the system was intended to control the heating cables in underfloor heating. My question is: is the Fibaro 1x3kW relay switch capable of handling this task? I want to set up several heating zones, and each zone would not exceed 3 kW.
You’ve answered that question yourself.
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The heating would be switched on for a while; I’ll think about thermostats later.
I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. Aren’t you worried about the floor overheating?
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Could this work?
If you write the code yourself in Lua, then yes, because this functionality isn’t included as standard.
The problem is that I’m not familiar with the system’s capabilities; I’ve still got a bit of time, so perhaps I’ll manage to get to know it better. To sum up, the idea is a good one, but is it feasible with thermostats??
The problem is that I’m not familiar with the system’s capabilities; I’ve still got a bit of time, so perhaps I’ll manage to get to know it better. To sum up, the idea is sound, but is it feasible with thermostats??
So, here’s the situation: 1. In the standard heating control panel, you cannot control both an underfloor thermostat and a room thermostat at the same time.
2. In ‘scenes’, you can set it up to control two thermostats and a switch, but this is a very basic solution. It’s simply on/off based on a range of expected temperatures.
3. If you want to create more advanced algorithms, you’ll need to know or learn the Lua language. Pop into a showroom somewhere. Ask them to show you how it works.
