illumino WallMote 7 can be used to control other Z-Wave devices wirelessly without the need for a wire in between. It can be used wirelessly to control other Z-Wave devices without having to use the hub. 


This article serves as an expansion of illumino WallMote 7 user guide as one of its most advanced functions in an attempt to explain all aspects of illumino WallMote 7s group association advanced control. 




What is Group Association?


Group Association is a specific function in Z-Wave that allows you to tell the Z-Wave device what devices it can speak to directly. 


Some devices may only have 1 group association meant for the gateway, or multiple group associations that can be used for specific pre-programmed controls (varies between devices and manufacturers). This type of function isn't used too often, but when it is available, you may be able to use it to directly communicate to Z-Wave devices instead of controlling a scene within a gateway which can have undesirable delays.


Some gateways have the ability to set Group Associations to devices that have these special events and functions. 


For illumino WallMote 7 's case, it can speak directly to the devices it is associated with for directly toggling On/Off/Dim controls without communicating to the gateway, then have the gateway relay the command to the Z-Wave devices.


For example:

  • Using Group associations will talk directly to a Z-Wave device, this will process less than 1 second usually within 10-100ms.
  • Triggering a scene, a device will need to update its status to your gateway, then have the gateway process the status update then send an action or change to a Z-Wave device based on the trigger. Sometimes there may be delays if your gateway is already processing other data which can cause some noticeable delays from time to time. 




How many devices you can control?


For illumino WallMote 7, you can control 5 devices per Group in its Group Association Command Class for a total of 30 separate devices over button over 6 different Groups. Realistically, you will only use some of the slots, but it is possible to do so and have a single illumino WallMote 7 control 30 devices directly. 


The different groups give you plenty of options on how you would like illumino WallMote 7 to control your devices.




A checklist before assigning devices to Groups.


Group association is possibly one of the more complicated functions of Z-Wave itself. What group association can do varies between Z-Wave devices and manufacturers. 


General checklist:

  • The security level between illumino WallMote 7 and the associated Z-Wave device must use the same Z-Wave security level. So if illumino WallMote 7  is connected as an S2 Authenticated secure device, the Z-Wave device associated must also be S2 Authenticated security level. 

    There are 4 security levels in Z-Wave:
    • Non-security (unencrypted)
    • S0 Security
    • S2 Unauthenticated
    • S2 Authenticated
  • Z-Wave Dimmers associated with illumino WallMote 7 (group 3, 5, or 7) must support Multilevel Switch V3 as V3 adds in the commands "Start Change Level" and "Stop Change Level" for dimming. 




How do you program Group Association?


This part is much more difficult, and in some cases may not be possible depending on the Z-Wave Hub that you are using. We will list a few hubs and known methods/steps to programming Group Association below that have outlined steps to associating devices. 


Hubs confirmed to support Group Association. 


Other external information and sources. 


If you're not sure if your hub has the capability to program group association, please reach out to our support team who should be able to help lead you through if it is possible.




illumino WallMote 7 group association and what they do.


The illumino WallMote 7 has 2 buttons that can perform a multitude of functions per button. Top or bottom buttons can act as only up or down dimming, or you can utilize the top or bottom buttons individually to control other Z-Wave devices directly without a Z-Wave hub needing to process each command.


The external switch that can be optionally connected between Neutral + Traveller terminal can act as a 3rd set of wireless controls for other Z-Wave devices directly. 


Below is a table of usable Group's in illumino WallMote 7 group association and what each group does:


Group #FunctionButton #Press Function detailed descriptionCommand Classes 
1LifelineTop and BottomAllows illumino WallMote 7 to report its status (Dim level), and forwards Central Scene for Z-Wave Hub automation triggers.

Typically only assigned to the Z-Wave Hub Node ID specifically. 
-Basic Report

-Central Scene
2Switch On/OffTopAllows the Top button to control an external Z-Wave device associated with this group

Controls:
  • (Tap) - toggles on/off
Basic Set / Binary Switch Set (Configuration via Parameter 2)
3DimmerTopAllows the Top button to dim or toggle on/off an external Z-Wave device associated with this group.

The speed is 5 seconds ramp from 0% to 100% and vice-versa.

Default controls:
  • (Press and hold) 
    • Toggles between dim up/down. Stops dimming when the button is released.
  • (Release (from hold))
    • Stops the dim level in place. 
  • (Tap)
    • Toggles between last dim level / off
-Multilevel Switch Set,

- Multilevel Switch Start Level Change,

- Multilevel Switch Stop Level Change

(NOTE - Ramp up / Ramp down requires Z-Wave device to support Multilevel Switch V3 or later).
4Switch On/OffBottomAllows the connected External Switch to control an external Z-Wave device.

Controls:
  • (Tap) - toggles on/off
Basic Set / Binary Switch Set (Configuration via Parameter 2)

5DimmerBottomAllows the Bottom button to dim or toggle on/off an external Z-Wave device associated with this group.

The speed is 5 seconds ramp from 0% to 100% and vice-versa.

Default controls:
  • (Press and hold) 
    • Toggles between dim up/down. Stops dimming when the button is released.
  • (Release (from hold))
    • Stops the dim level in place. 
  • (Tap)
    • Toggles between last dim level / off

-Multilevel Switch Set,

- Multilevel Switch Start Level Change,

- Multilevel Switch Stop Level Change

(NOTE - Ramp up / Ramp down requires Z-Wave device to support Multilevel Switch V3 or later).
6
Switch On/Off Top and BottomAllows the top and bottom buttons to control an external Z-Wave device associated with this group.

Top button - always turns ON. 

Bottom button - always turns OFF. 
Basic Set / Binary Switch Set (Configuration via Parameter 2)

7
DimmerTop and BottomAllows the top and bottom buttons to control an external Z-Wave device associated with this group.

Top button -
  • (Tap)
    • Turns ON only.
  • (Double tap) 
    • Max dim level
  • (Press and hold)
    • Ramp dim level up only. 
  • (Release)
    • Stop at the desired dim level from a press and hold. 

Bottom button - 
  • (Tap)
    • Turns OFF only.
  • (Double tap) 
    • Max dim level
  • (Press and hold)
    • Ramp dim level down only. 
  • (Release)
    • Stop at the desired dim level from a press and hold. 
-Multilevel Switch Set,

- Multilevel Switch Start Level Change,

- Multilevel Switch Stop Level Change

(NOTE- Ramp up / Ramp down requires Z-Wave device to support Multilevel Switch V3 or later).


tldr;

  • Group 1 is primarily to determine where it sends its status to the controller.
  • Group 2 + 3 allows the top button to control other Z-Wave devices on/off or dim (respectively).
  • Group 4 + 5 allows the bottom button to control other  Z-Wave devices on/off or dim (respectively).
  • Group 6 + 7 allows the top and the bottom button to control other Z-Wave devices ON/dim up only, and the bottom button OFF/dim down only.