Hi all,
Brand new to ST and home automation. I bought the starter kit with the intention of using it for security in my garden office and controlling lighting and some security in my house.
My multisensor worked sporadically then failed during testing for range and has not been installed on the front door of my office. The ST plug which I put in the office worked the first day, then failed the next day.
I have been reading a fair bit about extending range on this forum and had a few questions.
As I wanted to put in some smart lighting into the house it seems natural to use zigbee smart bulbs as repeaters. However, I read on one post that there are different protocols for ZigBee bulbs ZLL and ZHA and that I would need for the bulbs to be ZHA rather than ZLL in order to be able to repeat and stand a chance of receiving signal in my office. My office is maybe 15 metres from the hub and I had hoped it would just work.
Is there a list anywhere of which bulbs run on which protocol, are ST compatible, multi-colour or white, and are available in the UK?
My other question is about power. My understanding is that only a powered device would be able to repeat the signal. Can a lightbulb be switched off and still repeat a signal? I’m worried that a guest or the kids will use the dumb switch. Ideally I don’t want to buy smart bulbs and then a zwave Fibaro dimmer to control them!
I’m hoping that an outside light on the rear of the house and another to the front of the office would be enough to relay to the sensor and other devices I put in there. I wanted to stick with ZigBee as I quite fancy getting some Sonos speakers as and when finances allow
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks