DIM-ZW

Versa Wireless

The Versa Wireless DIM-ZW is a Z-Wave 800 Series Long Range in-wall dimmer switch - a wired smart dimmer that replaces a standard single-pole or 3-way wall switch and turns any hardwired lighting circuit into a dimmable, scene-capable one. Z-Wave Long Range reaches up to 1,300 ft line-of-sight direct to the controller, holding a connection from far corners, basements, and detached structures without leaning on the mesh.

It handles real lighting loads - 600W incandescent or halogen, or 300W of dimmable LED or CFL - with a true multilevel dimming curve, soft start, and adjustable ramp rates for both on/off and dimming. As an LED dimmer it trims at both ends: minimum and maximum brightness are settable from the hub (parameters 11 and 12) or right at the wall by pressing the bottom paddle 5x for minimum and the top paddle 5x for maximum, so a fixture that flickers or buzzes at the low end can be tuned without pulling the device out of the box.

Central Scene is supported on a 2-tap of either paddle, giving two scene triggers that fire hub automations without switching the load. Pairing is SmartStart - scan the DSK QR code on the front of the device - and a built-in always-on repeater strengthens the Z-Wave mesh for every mains-powered node on the network. On a classic mesh network, association group 2 also sends a Basic Set to as many as 5 nodes on a local paddle press, for direct device-to-device control. A node included via Z-Wave Long Range has one neighbor, the controller, so on LR that same behavior is built as a hub automation triggered by the paddle rather than as an association - see Z-Wave configuration parameters and association groups. A neutral is required, and in a 3-way install the DIM-ZW goes in the box with direct power while the companion stays a standard mechanical 3-way switch. The installation manual lists all nine configuration parameters.

Long Range and classic mesh are two radio modes on the same device. The DIM-ZW reaches up to 1,300 ft direct-to-controller on Long Range, and about 330 ft (100 m) per hop on classic mesh. Z-Wave Long Range devices transmit at up to +20 dBm against -1 dBm for classic Z-Wave; Z-Wave developer Eric Ryherd puts ZWLR at over double the range of classic Z-Wave at +14 dBm. The DIM-ZW is Z-Wave certified and ETL Listed by Intertek to UL 60730-1:2016.

Key features

  • Z-Wave 800 Series with Long Range - up to 1,300 ft direct-to-controller line of sight
  • In-wall paddle dimmer switch for single-pole or 3-way lighting circuits - neutral required
  • 600W incandescent/halogen (derate to 500W 2-gang, 400W 3-gang) and 300W dimmable LED/CFL
  • Works as an LED dimmer switch - minimum and maximum brightness adjust from the hub (parameters 11 and 12) or at the paddle, tuning out low-end flicker and buzz
  • Adjustable ramp rates - separate 1-10 second fades for on/off and for dimming, with soft start
  • Central Scene support - 2-tap top or bottom paddle fires Scene 1 or Scene 2
  • SmartStart pairing - scan the DSK QR code on the front of the device; S2 encrypted inclusion
  • Built-in always-on repeater - strengthens the Z-Wave mesh for every mains-powered node
  • Association group 2 sends Basic Set ON/OFF to up to 5 nodes on a classic mesh network
  • Backward compatible with Z-Wave 500, 700, and Plus networks
  • Power-fail restore - returns to last state, on, or off after an outage (parameter 8)
  • Air-gap pull tab at the bottom of the paddle cuts power locally for safe bulb changes
  • Auto turn-off and auto turn-on timers, 1-65535 minutes (parameters 4 and 6)
  • Works with all Z-Wave certified controllers - officially listed: 2GIG EDGE, Qolsys IQ, SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant
  • Indoor, US 125VAC | FCC Part 15 Class B | ETL Listed to UL 60730-1:2016

DIM-ZW Specifications

Z-Wave 800 LR In-Wall Paddle Dimmer Switch

Wireless & Z-Wave
Protocol Z-Wave 800 Series with Long Range
Frequency 908.42 / 916 MHz mesh | 912 / 920 MHz Long Range (US)
Range Up to 1,300 ft direct-to-controller line of sight (Long Range) | about 330 ft (100 m) per hop (classic mesh)
Signal Repeater Built-in - strengthens mesh for every non-battery Z-Wave node
Controller Compatibility All Z-Wave certified controllers - officially listed: 2GIG EDGE, Qolsys IQ, SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant
Backward Compatibility Operates with Z-Wave 500, 700, and Plus networks
Device IDs Manufacturer 0x0464 | Product Type 0xEE00 | Product ID 0xEE02 | Installer Icon 0x0700 | User Icon 0x0604
Firmware V1.0 - SDK 7.24.1, Z-Wave version 8.2
Pairing & Security
SmartStart Yes - scan the DSK QR code on the front of the device; auto-added within 10 minutes
Security S2 - encrypted Z-Wave Plus pairing
Manual Inclusion Press the TOP paddle 3x quickly - blue LED flashes, green 2 s = success
Manual Exclusion Press the BOTTOM paddle 3x quickly
Association Group 1 Lifeline - up to 5 nodes
Association Group 2 Single Press - up to 5 nodes, sends Basic Set ON/OFF on a local paddle press. Direct device-to-device association runs on a classic mesh network; a node included via Long Range has one neighbor, the Primary Controller, so on LR the same behavior is built as a hub automation
Factory Reset Press the BOTTOM paddle twice quickly, then hold a third press for 10 seconds
Power & Load
Input 125VAC, 60Hz
Load Rating (Incandescent) 600W incandescent/halogen - ganged installs derate to 500W (2-gang) or 400W (3-gang)
Load Rating (CFL / LED) 300W dimmable CFL or LED
Load Types Lighting loads only - not for fans, receptacles, tube/fluorescent, or transformer-supplied fixtures
Wiring Single-pole or 3-way | neutral required | 14 AWG copper conductors only
Wall Box Single-gang, 2-3/4 in. minimum depth
3-Way Companion Standard mechanical 3-way switch - not a second smart switch, dimmer, or add-on; DIM-ZW must be the device with direct connection to power
Air Gap Pull tab at the bottom of the paddle cuts power to the dimmer for bulb changes
Power-Fail Restore Yes - last state (default), on, or off, set by parameter 8
Function & Indicators
Device Type In-wall dimmer switch (on/off + multilevel dimming), soft start
Paddle Control Top 1x = ON, bottom 1x = OFF (parameter 1) | press and hold to brighten (top) or dim (bottom) | top 8x cycles parameter 1, bottom 8x cycles parameter 8, bottom 10x cycles parameter 2
Central Scene Top paddle 2x = Scene 1 | bottom paddle 2x = Scene 2
Brightness Range Minimum and maximum adjustable 0-99 (parameters 11 and 12, default 10 and 99) - or at the wall with bottom 5x / top 5x
Ramp Rates On/off fade 1-10 s (parameter 9, default 2 s) | dimming fade 1-10 s (parameter 10, default 4 s)
Timers Auto turn-off and auto turn-on, 1-65535 minutes (parameters 4 and 6, disabled by default)
Configuration Parameters 9 total - 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
LED Indicator Solid blue = dimmer status, behavior set by parameter 2 | blue flashing = inclusion or exclusion | green 2 s = success, red 2 s = failed | green 3x = setting saved, red 3x = failed | orange flashing = min/max brightness mode | purple = factory reset
Operating Conditions
Operating Temperature 32 to 104 deg F (0 to 40 deg C)
Use Indoor - dry locations only, lighting loads only
Market US (125VAC) | sold in the United States only
Warranty 2 years from the original date of consumer purchase
Certifications & Compliance
Safety Listing ETL Listed by Intertek - UL 60730-1:2016 (automatic electrical controls) | Intertek control no. 5030071
FCC FCC Part 15 Class B | FCC ID: 2AD9XDIM-ZW
RF Exposure Complies with FCC uncontrolled-environment limits - install with 20 cm minimum separation from any person
Z-Wave Alliance Z-Wave Plus certified - Z-Wave 800 LR

Turn off the breaker before installation and verify with a non-contact voltage tester. Install per the National Electrical Code and local regulations; where required by code, installation must be performed by a qualified, licensed electrician. Lighting loads only - do not use to control fans, receptacles, tube or fluorescent fixtures, transformer-supplied fixtures, heat lamps, sun lamps, medical or life-support equipment, electric heaters, or any appliance where unintended operation could create an unsafe condition. Indoor use only in dry locations.

The DIM-ZW works with all Z-Wave certified controllers. Versa officially lists 2GIG EDGE, Qolsys IQ, SmartThings, Hubitat, and Home Assistant (with a Z-Wave 800 controller). To use Z-Wave Long Range, pair it to an 800 Series Long Range controller using SmartStart: scan the DSK QR code on the front of the device with your controller app and the dimmer joins automatically within 10 minutes using S2 security. Long Range inclusion is by SmartStart only, on an 800 Series controller with Long Range enabled. For classic mesh inclusion, set the controller to add a device and press the top paddle three times quickly.

Documentation: DIM-ZW installation manual (PDF) and the DIM-ZW installation manual web page.

Also in the Versa Z-Wave 800 line: the LAMP-ZW2 plug-in dimmer covers lamps and portable fixtures on the same 800 LR radio, for locations without a wall box.

DIM-ZW questions installers ask

Does the DIM-ZW require a neutral wire?

Yes. The DIM-ZW is a neutral-required in-wall dimmer switch - line, load, neutral, and ground all land on the device, plus a traveler in a 3-way install. There is no no-neutral mode. Line and load are not interchangeable, and the terminals accept 14 AWG copper conductors only. Confirm the box has a neutral before you specify the device for that location.

Can the DIM-ZW be used in a 3-way circuit?

Yes, with one rule: the DIM-ZW must be installed in the box that has the direct connection to power, and the companion must be a standard mechanical 3-way switch - not another smart switch, not another dimmer, and not an add-on. The DIM-ZW's LOAD terminal feeds the light directly. The companion gets two wires only: neutral on its COMMON screw and the red traveler on a traveler screw. If the existing wiring does not match that arrangement, stop and consult an electrician.

Does the DIM-ZW work with dimmable LED bulbs?

Yes. As an LED dimmer switch it carries up to 300W of dimmable LED or CFL, and up to 600W of incandescent or halogen. In a multi-gang box, derate incandescent to 500W in a 2-gang and 400W in a 3-gang to account for heat. Use bulbs marked dimmable - a dimmable rating on the lamp is what lets the DIM-ZW hold a smooth curve at the low end. Lighting loads only: the DIM-ZW is not rated for fans, receptacles, tube or fluorescent fixtures, transformer-supplied fixtures, heat lamps, or sun lamps.

My LEDs flicker or buzz at the low end. Can I fix that at the dimmer?

Yes - raise the minimum brightness. From the hub, set parameter 11 (minimum, 0-99, default 10) and parameter 12 (maximum, default 99). At the wall, press the bottom paddle 5x quickly: the LED flashes orange slowly and the light drops to the current minimum, then hold the top or bottom paddle to adjust and press the bottom paddle 5x again to confirm - green flashes 3x when it saves. The top paddle 5x sets maximum the same way. Ten seconds without input exits without saving. Ramp rates are separate: parameter 9 for the on/off fade and parameter 10 for the dimming fade, each 1-10 seconds.

How far does the DIM-ZW reach on Z-Wave Long Range?

Up to 1,300 ft line-of-sight direct to the controller on Long Range, and about 330 ft (100 m) per hop on classic mesh. Z-Wave Long Range uses a star topology, so the 1,300 ft figure is a point-to-point link to the controller rather than a hop through the mesh, and Z-Wave Long Range devices transmit at up to +20 dBm against -1 dBm for classic Z-Wave. The DIM-ZW also contains an always-on repeater, which is a separate classic-mesh function that strengthens the network for other mains-powered nodes and carries no range figure of its own.

Does device-to-device association work when the DIM-ZW is on Long Range?

Association group 2 sends a Basic Set ON/OFF to up to 5 nodes on a local paddle press, and that direct device-to-device path runs on a classic mesh network. A node included via Z-Wave Long Range communicates with the Primary Controller, so on LR the same behavior is built as a hub automation triggered by the paddle. Configuration parameters are unaffected on either mode, because a parameter write is a controller-to-node singlecast. Choose mesh inclusion when you want the dimmer to drive another device with the hub offline; choose Long Range when distance to the controller is the constraint.

Does the DIM-ZW support scenes from the paddle?

Yes. Central Scene is supported on a double-tap of either paddle: top 2x sends Scene 1 and bottom 2x sends Scene 2, so a single wall location can trigger hub automations without touching the load it controls.

What is the difference between the DIM-ZW and the LAMP-ZW2?

Both are Versa Z-Wave 800 Long Range dimmers on the same radio. The DIM-ZW is an in-wall dimmer switch: it is wired into a single-gang box on a single-pole or 3-way circuit and dims the hardwired fixture, up to 600W incandescent or 300W dimmable LED. The LAMP-ZW2 is a plug-in dimmer that sits between an outlet and a lamp, for portable fixtures and locations where no wiring change is wanted.

How do I change a bulb safely without shutting off the breaker?

Pull the air-gap tab at the bottom of the paddle out. That mechanically cuts power to the dimmer and the fixture for the bulb change; push it back in to restore normal operation. For installation or removal of the dimmer itself, always turn off the breaker and verify with a non-contact voltage tester.

Where to buy the DIM-ZW

Resources

DIM-ZW Installation Manual & Setup Guide