General Information
The SmartThings Hub is a Z-Wave-certified central static controller. It can be included in any Z-Wave network and operate with Z-Wave certified devices from other manufacturers. To add a Z-Wave device to the Hub's network or copy network information to another controller, check out our guide on setting up new devices. To control an included device, find the device in the My Home section under Things, and tap on its name to see the device detail view.
All non-battery-operated Z-Wave devices within the network will act as Z-Wave repeaters—regardless of vendor—to increase reliability of the network.
The SmartThings Hub is a security-enabled Z-Wave product. When a security-enabled Z-Wave device is added to the Hub's network, its secure communication will be 128-bit AES encrypted.
Z-Wave device reset/exclusion
Z-Wave devices require a separate command and physical confirmation from the device itself (usually a button press) in order to be reset (or "excluded") and removed from a controller (like the SmartThings Hub).
Note: In order to exclude a Z-Wave device in the SmartThings app, you must have the physical device with you and be within range of the SmartThings Hub.
Your Hub will enter exclusion mode automatically when a Z-Wave device is removed from the Devices menu.
- From the Favorites or Devices tab, tap and hold the desired device
- Select Edit and tap Delete device
- Tap Delete to confirm
- While deleting Z-Wave devices, your hub will enter exclusion mode and you will perform the reset process for your device (usually hitting a button)
- The app will indicate when the device is successfully removed. Touch Done
If you're having trouble adding a Z-Wave device that was previously in use, or if your new device won’t connect after several attempts, you may need to exclude the device still. Sometimes a device partially connects, or is partially removed, behind the scenes. General Z-Wave Device Exclusion should fix these issues.
Here are the steps to perform a General Z-Wave Device Exclusion:
- From the Favorites or Devices tab,select the SmartThings Hub
- If you have SmartThings Wifi, select your Wifi Hub and then Use SmartThings Hub
- Tap More Options (
) and select Z-Wave utilities - Choose Z-Wave exclusion
- The app will prompt you to perform a Z-Wave exclusion on the device. Refer to the device's manual for specific exclusion steps
- The app will indicate when the device is successfully removed. Tap Done
Command classes supported by the SmartThings Hubs
The following Z-Wave command classes are supported by the SmartThings Hub:
| Command Class | Version | Required Security Class |
|
Z-Wave Plus Info |
2 |
None |
|
Transport Service |
2 |
None |
|
CRC 16 Encapsulation |
1 |
None |
|
Supervision |
1 |
None |
|
Inclusion Controller |
1 |
None |
|
Security 0 |
1 |
None |
|
Security 2 |
1 |
None |
|
Association Group Info |
1 |
Highest Granted |
|
Device Reset Locally |
1 |
Highest Granted |
|
Manufacturer Specific |
1 |
Highest Granted |
|
Power Level |
1 |
Highest Granted |
|
Association |
2 |
Highest Granted |
|
Version |
2 |
Highest Granted |
The SmartThings Hub has support for the Association Command Class—it has one association group, the "Lifeline" group, which supports sending associated devices reset notifications when the Hub is factory reset. A maximum of 231 devices can be added to this group.
The SmartThings Hub does not map the Basic Command Class to any functionality. It ignores Basic Get requests, though in some cases of legacy support for older Z-Wave sensors it may interpret Basic Set commands as sensor activation events.
The SmartThings Hub controls devices with unknown device types using the basic command class, and optionally controls other devices with the basic command class.
Including the SmartThings Hub into another Z-Wave network
Learn mode allows the hub to join or leave a network, or receive the latest network update from another controller in the network. Note that you can only add a Hub to a different Z-Wave network if no Z-Wave devices have been added. Otherwise, you should remove all Z-Wave devices from the Hub first by putting them through a device exclusion. When the SmartThings Hub is added into another Z-Wave network, it may not receive notifications from some battery-operated devices. SmartThings Technical Support does not provide assistance to consumers using the Hub with other Z-Wave controllers.
Here are the steps to put the Hub into learn mode to receive network information from another Z-Wave controller:
- Prepare the other Z-Wave controller to copy its network information to the Hub. This may be called include, add, transfer, shift, copy, or replicate mode
- Log in to graph.api.smartthings.com
- Click My Locations
- Click the location with the Hub
- Select the Hub
- Select View Utilities
- Click Join/Leave another Z-Wave network
- Z-Wave learn mode will be initiated for 8 seconds
This will start learn mode on the Hub. It may take longer to receive all the network info and load all the devices. Check the other controller for confirmation of whether the transfer was successful.
Depending on the other controller, it may not have transferred the primary controller role to the SmartThings Hub, and the Hub may not be able to add new devices. To remove the Hub from the other network and reset it to default, follow the same steps above, but put the other controller in remove or exclude mode instead.
What is Z-Wave S2?
Z-wave S2 is a new and improved security protocol for Z-Wave S2 compatible certified devices. Starting in 2018, newer Z-Wave devices are mandated by Z-Wave Alliance to support S2 security. S2 security allows you to add Z-Wave devices more securely than ever before as well as adding improvements to battery life and device reliability.
How is the Z-Wave S2 security protocol different from Z-Wave S0?
The Z-Wave S2 security protocol uses a new method to ensure when Z-Wave S2 devices are added, they have the most secure method of pairing. There are currently three groups of Z-Wave S2:
- Z-Wave S2 Access Control
- Z-Wave S2 Authenticated
- Z-Wave S2 Unauthenticated
How do I add a Z-Wave S2 device?
In the SmartThings mobile app:
- From the Devices tab, tap Add (+) and select Add device
- Select Brand and choose the manufacturer
- Choose your Device and Tap Start
- Choose a Location for the device or the Hub that will discover the device
- Choose a Room for the device and Tap Next
- Follow the instructions on-screen or use the steps provided by the manufacturer to put the device into join mode
- Scan the QR code located on your device
- If you cannot scan the QR code, select Add device manually
- Enter the first 5 digits of the DSK code or Pin Number found on the device
- Touch Add device
Note: Devices classified as Z-Wave S2 Unauthenticated will add into SmartThings without the need for scanning the QR code or entering a pin. These devices are still using a form of the Z-Wave S2 security protocol.
How do I know if my Z-Wave device supports S2?
Z-Wave devices that support the Z-Wave S2 security protocol should have clear and visible markings on the product that includes the Device Specific Key.
If a Z-Wave S2 device was added code scanning was available, is it using the new Z-Wave S2 protocol?
No, Z-Wave S2 devices added before the feature was available will still be using the older Z-Wave S0 security protocol. If you would like to have your device use the new S2 Security Protocol you will have to exclude and re-add the device using the steps above.
How do I know which security protocol my Z-Wave device is using?
While adding older non S2 devices, you will receive the following prompt from the SmartThings App.
“Your device has been connected, but it isn't using the highest level of security. For more security, exclude the device and try adding it again.”
You can also see the network security level by using the SmartThings IDE.
- Go to graph.api.smartthings.com
- Login to your account
- Select Devices next to your Locations name
- Select the name of the device
- In the Data section, look for the devices Network Security Level
