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Getting Started with the Z-Wave PoE Kit

This guide will walk you through setting up your new TubeZB Z-Wave PoE Kit with Home Assistant.

Choose the right path

1. Physical Setup

Your setup steps will depend on whether you purchased the kit with the Zooz Z-Wave module pre-installed or the "No Radio" version.

Option A: Kit with Pre-installed Zooz ZAC93

If you purchased the kit with the Zooz ZAC93 module included, it comes pre-installed and ready to go.

  1. Connect the Z-Wave PoE Kit to your local network using an ethernet cable that provides Power over Ethernet (PoE).
  2. The device will power on and connect to your network.
  3. Find the IP Address assigned to the device from your router's client list.

Use a DHCP Reservation (Recommended)

To ensure the device's IP address doesn't change, it is strongly advised to configure a DHCP Reservation for it in your router's settings. This links the device's unique MAC address to a specific IP, so it gets the same one every time it connects.

Advanced: Static IP Firmware

Setting a true static IP requires custom firmware. For advanced users who need this, you can build a custom firmware binary using the TubesZB ESPHome Firmware Builder.

Register Your Zooz Module!

If you purchased a kit including the Zooz ZAC93, be sure to register your module with Zooz within 30 days of purchase. This gives you a 5-Year Extended Warranty, direct access to firmware updates, and expedited support.

Option B: Kit with No Radio (Bring Your Own Module)

If you purchased the "No Radio" version of the kit, you will need to provide and install your own compatible Z-Wave module.

Compatible Modules

This kit is designed for Z-Wave modules that use the Raspberry Pi GPIO pin layout.

Affiliate Link Disclosure

The links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Installation

  1. Carefully open the 3D printed enclosure.
  2. Align the GPIO pins on your Z-Wave module with the female GPIO header on the Olimex ESP32-PoE board.
  3. Press down firmly and evenly to seat the module securely. Ensure all pins are correctly engaged.
  4. Close the enclosure.
  5. Follow the steps in Option A to connect the device to your network and find its IP address.

2. Home Assistant Setup

The recommended method for using this Z-Wave kit is with the Z-Wave JS UI addon in Home Assistant.

  1. Install and Start the Addon:

    • Click the badge below to open the Z-Wave JS UI addon page in your Home Assistant instance and click Install.

    Open your Home Assistant instance and show the dashboard of an add-on.

    • Once installed, go to the Info tab and Start the addon.

  2. Configure the Addon via the Web UI:

    • After the addon has started, click Open Web UI.
    • In the Z-Wave JS UI interface, navigate to Settings (the gear icon) and then select Z-Wave.

    • In the Serial Port field, enter the network path for your Z-Wave kit, replacing IP_ADDRESS with the IP you found earlier: 

      tcp://IP_ADDRESS:6638
      Z-Wave JS UI Serial Port Configuration
      Entering the TCP address in the Serial Port field.

      Important Note for Dual Radio Kits

      If setting up Z-Wave on a Dual Radio kit it uses port 6639.

    • Generate and Save Security Keys: !!! danger "Critical Step for New Networks" If you are setting up a new network, you must generate new security keys. These keys are essential for securely including devices and for backing up your network.

      1. Scroll down to the Security Keys section.
      2. Click the refresh icon next to each of the four keys (S2_AccessControl, S2_Authenticated, S2_Unauthenticated, and S0_Legacy) to generate new random values.
      3. Copy and save these keys somewhere safe, like a password manager. You will need them if you ever have to restore your network.

    Z-Wave JS UI Security Keys
    Generating new security keys by clicking the refresh icon for each key.

    • Click Save at the bottom of the page. The addon will restart and connect to your Z-Wave PoE Kit. You can check the Control Panel to see your Z-Wave stick appear as the controller.

  3. Install the Z-Wave JS Integration:

    • Navigate back to Home Assistant and go to Settings > Devices & Services.
    • Home Assistant should now auto-discover the Z-Wave JS integration. Click Configure and follow the prompts.
    • If it is not discovered, click Add Integration and search for Z-Wave.
    • You will be prompted to either use the recommended installation or a custom one. Since we are using the Z-Wave JS UI addon, you can proceed with the Recommended installation.
      Set up Z-Wave Dialog
      Choose the recommended installation.
    • In the next dialog, uncheck the box that says "Use the Z-Wave Supervisor add-on" and click Submit.
      Select Connection Method
      Uncheck the box to provide the URL manually.
    • You will now be asked for a URL. For the official Home Assistant addon, you can find the correct hostname on the addon's page.
      Z-Wave JS UI Hostname
      The addon hostname can be found on the Addon Info page.
    • Enter the following value, which tells the integration how to connect to your Z-Wave JS UI addon: 
      ws://a0d7b954-zwavejsui:3000
      Enter WebSocket URL
      Enter the addon's WebSocket URL.

    Connecting to a Remote Z-Wave JS UI

    If you are running Z-Wave JS UI on a different computer (not as a Home Assistant addon), you must replace a0d7b954-zwavejsui with the hostname or IP address of that computer. For example: ws://192.168.1.100:3000.

    • Click Submit to complete the setup. The integration will connect, and your Z-Wave devices will appear in Home Assistant.