Setting Up ZWave on Home Assistant

ZWave is wireless technology used in home automation products like lights, switches, sensors, and more.  It works by pairing ZWave devices to a ZWave controller.  This article describes how to setup ZWave on Home Assistant (setup the controller, pair devices, control devices, and renaming devices).

Parts:

• Aeon Labs Aeotec Z-Wave Z-Stick, Gen5 (ZW090)
• Home Assistant (HA) server

Connecting the Z-Stick:

The following are quick steps.  See the HA ZWave setup documentation for full information.

1. Connect the Z-Stick to your HA server
2. Find and copy your Z-Stick USB path by running “ls /dev/ttyACM*” (on Raspberry Pi’s) or “ls /dev/ttyUSB*”
3. Add the following in your configuration.yaml file:
   
   YAML

   zwave:   usb_path: Paste_Your_Z-Stick_USB_Path_Here

   1 2	zwave:   usb_path: Paste_Your_Z-Stick_USB_Path_Here

4. Restart HA

Pairing a ZWave Light Switch:

1. Unplug the Z-Stick and walk it within 3 feet of the switch
2. Press the Z-Stick button to start pairing (button will flash)
3. Start pairing on your switch (I simply had to tap or double tap my switch)
4. The Z-Stick should briefly flash quickly indicated pairing completion
5. Connect the Z-Stick back to and reboot your HA server

Controlling a ZWave Light Switch:

1. Open HA’s menu and click the second icon under Developer Tools (“States”).
2. Find your ZWave light switches name (ex. light.__level_4, light.evolve_guest_controls_lrmas_wall_dimmer_500w_level_4)
3. Add the name to an HA group, restart HA, and turn the light on and off
4. Reboot HA and see if your light’s name changed (mine went from the short name above to the longer name above). If so, repeat steps 2-4.

Renaming your ZWave Light Switch:

1. After you’ve performed the steps above, open HA’s menu and click the first icon under Developer Tools (“Services”)
2. Under “Available Services”, click on “zwave/rename_node” (if it doesn’t appear, refresh the web page)
3. Paste the following in the “Service Data” section and click on “Call Service”:
   
   JavaScript

   {  "entity_id": "Paste_Your_Current_Name_Here",  "name": "Paste_Your_New_Name_Here" }

   1 2 3 4

   {  "entity_id": "Paste_Your_Current_Name_Here",  "name": "Paste_Your_New_Name_Here" }

4. Restart HA and then open HA’s menu and click the second icon under Developer Tools (“States”).
5. Find your ZWave light switches new name (should look like light.YourNewName_level_4)