Adding Z-Wave to your smoke detectors is easier than you thought. As long as your detectors are hardwired and interconnected, all you need is this Zooz | Kidde DIY kit to translate the alert signal into Z-Wave for you to make your home smoke alarm system smarter. Get notified when your smoke alarm goes off at home, wherever you are. Remember to check your local safety regulations first. It's recommended that a licensed electrician performs the installation.

BUY THE ZOOZ | KIDDE DIY SMART SMOKE ALARM KIT HERE

  A few things to consider before purchasing and installing this kit:  

• The relay modules connect to existing hardwired interconnected smoke alarms (detectors not included, sold separately).
• The kit will NOT work with wireless detectors, they need to be hardwired.
• The relay modules don't come with battery back-up. The will not operate at all in case of a power failure.
• Use this kit with any standard interconnect smoke alarm (not limited to the Kidde brand).
• Your Z-Wave hub needs to support text and email notifications based on device status for you to benefit from this functionality.

Here are detailed instructions on how to install and program the DIY Smart Smoke Alarm Kit:

1. ELECTRICAL WIRING

The kit will arrive with the Zooz ZEN51 relay and the Kidde module connected already so all you need to do is attach them to your smoke detector - we recommend adding it to the last one in the series where you'll have the least amount of wires to work with. Watch a helpful step-by-step installation video here.

• Always turn the power off at the breaker before removing the detector from the electrical box and when working with wires.
• Once you identify the edge smoke detector, gently remove it from the box and identify 3 connections: power source (usually black), neutral (usually white), and interconnect alarm signal output (usually red or orange). Don't follow the color code blindly and always ensure you identified the wires on your smoke detector correctly before proceeding.
• Connect the 3 available pigtails from the relay module to your smoke detector: power (black) to power, neutral (white) to neutral, and signal (orange) to signal output on the detector. Make sure that all of your connections are firmly fixed, the wire caps aren't loose, and all wires are properly isolated before turning the power back on.
• Turn the power back on to add your ZEN51 relay to the Z-Wave system.

2. Z-WAVE PROGRAMMING

Once you turn the power on at the breaker, the ZEN51 relay should be slow-blinking green to indicate it's ready to be added to your network.

• Here are custom instructions for including the Zooz relay to your hub:
  • Home Assistant
  • Hubitat
  • SmartThings
  • Vera (Ezlo)
  • Your Z-Wave system (choose if your hub isn't listed)
•  IMPORTANT:  once the relay is added to your hub, it will display as an on/off device. Please make sure you set it to OFF (it needs to be in the off position at all times outside of an alarm event).
• The relay will turn ON in the hub anytime the smoke alarm goes off. It will turn back off once the alarm is cleared. The on/off functionality is for signal monitoring only. You will not be able to use the relay to control your smoke detectors via Z-Wave. The relay shouldn't be turned on or off on the user side at all, other than to adjust the state right after inclusion.
• Program notifications in your hub's interface to send you a text message or email whenever the relay changes status from off to on. Every interface is a little different so if you're not sure where to set up alerts and notifications, please refer to the documentation of your Z-Wave hub or get in touch with our support for help.

3. FINALIZING THE INSTALLATION

Before putting the relay modules and the detector back in the box, test the functionality to make sure everything works as intended:

• Warn everyone at the house / building to cover their ears before you start testing. Take children and pets outside if possible.
• Follow the instructions for your smoke detector to put it in test mode - it will start the audible alarm and trigger all other units in your home. As soon as that happens, the ZEN51 relay will change its status to ON in the hub's interface and you should receive a notification if you already programmed that part.
• Once the test is successful, turn the power off at the breaker again and gently secure the modules and the detector back in the electrical box. Make sure that all wires are isolated and nothing is loose for your own safety and to prevent equipment damage.

4. OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

We're only using the input (monitoring) part of the ZEN51 relay here. You can still utilize the output part to trigger and control a dry contact or 120 V alarm device like a siren or a strobe light that will go off anytime the smoke detector triggers the relay. The installation details will depend on the type of equipment you choose but our team will be happy to provide custom instructions. Please include an installation manual, brand, and model of the device when reaching out to us for help with this type of installation.

Questions? Get in touch by email or by scheduling a phone call appointment here.