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Answers to the Top 5 Questions about Z-Wave Plus

Written by Stephen Teafatiller | May 25, 2017 at 11:29 PM

Z-Wave is a leading smart home technology found in millions of products around the world. It allows all of Jasco's Z-Wave devices to securely "talk" to one another, and talk to other certified Z-Wave products. As with any technology, home automation is constantly evolving. Z-Wave Plus represents one of the latest advancements in smart home tech. You can learn more about the latest Z-Wave technology and find answers to the top 5 questions about Z-Wave Plus below.

What is Z-Wave Plus?

Z-Wave Plus is the latest product certification program offered that assures consumers are getting the best performing Z-Wave products available today. Z-Wave Plus has been optimized for easy set-up and installation for a high level of security and compatibility between products.

Will Z-Wave Plus products work with classic Z-Wave products?

Yes, Z-Wave Plus products are fully backward compatible with classic Z-Wave products. This means that even if you have an older classic Z-Wave controller or hub, it will still work to control new Z-Wave Plus products and vice versa. 

What is the difference between Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus?

Z-Wave Plus products require the latest advancements in Z-Wave technology. These advancements provide for longer battery life, faster operation, better RF coverage and easier installation. Classic Z-Wave products may take advantage of some of these newer advancements but are not required to use all of the latest technology. There are currently over 70 million classic Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus products in use every day and these products meet the needs of most applications satisfactorily. The new features of Z-Wave Plus are a great extension to Z-Wave and can help you make the most robust, solid wireless home automation system possible.

What are the features of Z-Wave Plus?

  • 50% improvement in battery life
  • 67% improvement in range
  • 250% more bandwidth
  • New Plug-n-Play Network-wide Inclusion feature
  • Standardized method for Over the Air firmware updates (OTA)
  • Improved self-healing and fault tolerance with Explorer Frame feature
  • Three RF channels for improved noise immunity and higher bandwidth
  • Improved product information capture for product certification database

How do I know I’m getting a Z-Wave Plus product?

Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus certified products are easily identified by either of these marks that appear on the product and product packaging:

Where can I get GE Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus products online?

Jasco's full ecosystem of GE Z-Wave smart home products are available online at www.ezzwave.com. There you'll find a list of Z-Wave compatible hubs and the most robust line of Z-Wave lighting controls available from switches and dimmers, to receptacles, plug-ins and motion sensors. You can also find select GE Z-Wave devices online at Amazon, The Home Depot and Best Buy.

*Sources
http://www.z-wave.com/faq 
http://z-wavealliance.org/z-wave_plus_certification/