Associations

Read this article if you:

  • Want to know what the association is;
  • Want to turn on all of the lights in the room with just one click;
  • Want to turn on TV and other devices in the room while turning on lightning;
  • Want lights to turn on when movement occurs.

 

What is it and what can I use it for?

Association (linking devices) – direct control of other devices within the Z-Wave system network e.g. Dimmer, Relay Switch, Roller Shutter or RGBW Controller. By using associations you can control other devices without participation of the main controller (such as HC2 or HCL). That means the FIBARO device can continue to communicate with other devices even when the main controller is damaged or offline, e.g. in the event of a fire or flood. It also enables many comfortable solutions such as turning all of the lamps at once or turning on the light when somebody enters the room.

 

The structure

Z-Wave network consists of two types of devices: master device and slave device. Master device (controllers) are devices that control other ones and slave devices are controlled by them.
Controller communicates with slave device in two ways: can send message to turn on and off a slave device or receive information about movement from motion detector. During the association’s setting process you will be able to choose which device will take the role of a controller and which one will be controlled.

 

Multi-channel associations

When a z-Wave device has more than one endpoint (port) it often enables multi-channel association function. It is a function of setting associations between specific endpoints.  The great example of a multiple-port device is FIBARO Relay Switch 2 x 1,5 Kw. It enables Z-Wave to control  two independent lights or appliances. If you want to individually control each port, you can do this through multi-channel associations. In this case both devices have to support multi-channel associations function.

 

Differences between scenes and associations

Controlling your Z-Wave network devices with scenes and associations could seem very similar. But those are two different ways of using your home automation devices. Even though both scenes and associations connect z-Wave devices and make them work together, they do it in completely different way. Scenes require all of the devices to communicate with the main controller (Home Center Lite or Home Center 2). Main controller sends message to devices (which are involved in scene) about actions they should perform. Scenes can also control more advanced actions than associations which send three types of information to linked devices – turning on and off a slave device, information about movement from motion detector which sends on and off frame to the slave device and third – frame about level settings of a device).

When it comes to associations, the main controller is used only to set them up. After installation there is no need to be in range of the controller because devices are communicating directly with each other. You can even place your devices out of the main controller working area.

 

Troubleshooting

 

  1. I set association in my device but it doesn’t work. What can I do?
  2. Remember to wake up battery-powered devices after setting associations. It will enable HCL or HC2 to communicate with devices and update the settings.

 

  1. Where can I find information about association group in the device?
  2. You can find it in user manual which is available on http://manuals.fibaro.com/.

 

  1. The response of the system is delayed. What can be a problem?
  2. We do not recommend to associate more than 10 devices as the response time depends on the number of the associated devices.

 

  1. I run the device from the mobile app and the association doesn’t work.
  2. The device has to be operated manually to run association.

 

  1. I run the device from the desktop interface and the association doesn’t work.
  2. The device has to be operated manually to run association.

March 23, 2017   29763    Getting Started, Tutorials    
Total 41 Votes:
18

Tell us how can we improve this post?

+ = Verify Human or Spambot ?

Comments are closed.