Adding Configuration Parameters to Z-Wave Controllers

Adding Configuration Parameters to Z-Wave Controllers

Z-Wave devices typically have a number of configurable parameters that can be used to control various functions of the device. By simply changing the value of a configuration parameter, functions such as wake-up time, sensor reporting time, associations, switch type, LED colour (and many more) can be adjusted to meet the needs of your application.

Note: A full list of tweakable 'Configuration Parameters' for a given device can be found in the devices user-manual. User manuals can be found by following the links in this link library.

While these parameters are often easily accessible through our controllers user-interface, we'll occasionally find ourselves in a situation where the parameters are not available. All this means is that our hub/controller does not have a template for our device.

Thankfully, adding in device parameters manually is a relatively simple process. This article shows you how to do this for Fibaro, Vera and Homey controllers.

Note: To add in a parameter for a specific device, we need a list of its parameters. This can be found in the user-manual or on the support page of a manufacturer's website, which can be accessed from here.

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Adding Device Parameters to a Fibaro Home Centre

After logging in to your Home Centre, you can add in parameters to a generic device within your using the following procedure:

1. Select your DEVICE and navigate to the ADVANCED tab.



2. Untick ‘Use template for parameters’.



3. Click SAVE.
4. Scroll down until you reach the Parameter Table.
5. Refer to your Devices Parameter List in it's user manual.
6. Enter the New Parameter details.
1. Number = Parameter Number
2. Data Type = Data Size (usually hex or decimal)
3. Desired Value = The Value you’d like this Parameter to be set to.



7. Click SAVE.

Note: Battery powered devices must be ‘woken up’ to receive the updated configuration. Please wake up your device as per the ‘wake-up’ procedure in the devices user manual.

Adding Device Parameters to a Vera Controller

After logging in to your Vera System, you can add in parameters to any device using the following procedure:

Note: Vera uses the word ‘Variable’ in place of ‘Configuration Parameters’.

1. Navigate to your DEVICE page and select the ADVANCED tab.



2. Navigate to the DEVICE OPTIONS tab.



3. Select ADD CONFIGURATION SETTINGS.
4. Fill out the New Parameter line with the following information:
1. Number = Parameter Number
2. Data Type = Data Size (usually hex or decimal)
3. Desired Value = The Value you’d like this Parameter to be set to.
5. SAVE your changes.
6. Push the changes to the device manually (see below Note).

Note: Vera does not automatically send this update to the Z-Wave device. Force this to happen by navigating to the ADVANCED page, selecting COMMANDS and clicking CONFIGURE NODE RIGHT NOW.

Adding Device Parameters in Homey

In Homey Systems, configuration parameters can be added to any device using the following procedure:

6. Enter the new parameter following Homey's parameter format

1. Number = Parameter Number
2. Data Type = Data Size (usually hex or decimal)
3. Desired Value = The Value you’d like this Parameter to be set to.

In Closing

Configuration parameters allow you to fine-tune the way your devices operate.

If your hub has a template for your device, you can simply tweak available settings displayed on the screen. If it doesn’t have a template, you can set the parameters by adding them in manually. The methods outlined above show you how to do this in Fibaro, Vera and Homey systems.

If you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share, or if you have any questions, drop a comment below. We’re always happy to help!

Best of luck tweaking your devices,

-Luke

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