Connect Home Units as Z-Wave repeaters

[JDRoberts]

@RBoy

As far as I know it’s a WiFi mesh system. Maybe @JDRoberts or @slagle may have some more insight into whether the other 2 units have a Z-Wave/Zigbee repeater in them.

@Tyler should know.

If this is not the case why? It seems very logical that if you needed this system for coverage in your house you would need extended range for your Smartthings Hub z-wave and zigbee devices in addition to WiFi.

Since zwave is a mesh network, any of your mains-powered devices will act as repeaters. That’s the whole idea. So the light switches, in the wall relays, plug-in sensors, outlets, plug-in pocket sockets, any of those.

See the following for tips on how to lay out your devices for best Z wave performance. First read post 11, then go back up to the top of that thread and read the rest of it.

A Guide to Wireless Range & Repeaters

One more thought. While I understand the marketing reasons for the decision, the fact that SmartThings gives customers zero guidance on how to set up a network backbone does lead to a lot of frustration that shouldn’t have to exist. if people knew that .1) The hub should be located centrally in the home, both vertically and horizontally. Don’t put it in a garage or basement as those have concrete and pipes and metal objects which will reduce signal. If your Internet router is off in some inaccessible corner, you can use a Wi-Fi access point that has a ethernet port on the side and plug into that. Also, the hub should not be put in a cabinet. You just want to make it as easy as possible for signal to spread around your house. .2) you need one device that can repeat about every 40 feet…

So I don’t know exactly how the Samsung connect home operates in this regard, but you should be able to set up a strong zwave mesh without needing them.