ZEN55 DC Signal Sensor FAQ's

ZEN55 DC Signal Sensor FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About the ZEN55 DC Signal Sensor

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INSTALLATION QUESTIONS

Can the ZEN55 be installed outdoors?

No. The ZEN55 is rated for indoor use only.

What is the operating temperature of the ZEN55?

32-104° F (0-40° C)

What are the dimensions of the ZEN55? How big is the device?

1.5" tall, 1.4" wide, 0.7" deep

Is the ZEN55 CSA approved?

While Zooz devices don't have any Canada-specific certifications, our devices are ETL-certified and are fully compliant with North American safety standards.

How do I install the ZEN55?

Your ZEN55 relay comes with a manual containing the wiring instructions.
It installs in the box with the last smoke detector in the series (more room and fewer wires for easier installation).

How Can I Identify the Wiring For My ZEN55?

Your ZEN55 comes with lifetime tech support and we're happy to help identify the wiring in your set-up and provide custom wiring instructions, free of charge. However, our techs are not magicians, mind readers, or telepaths with the ability to verify wiring without clear images from each switch box involved in your set-up. Please review the requirements in this article before submitting your images and wiring diagram request to Zooz support.

What is the warranty coverage for the ZEN55?

Zooz 500 series devices are covered by a 12 month warranty. Zooz 700 and 800 series devices are covered by a standard 1-year warranty and by an extended 5-year warranty if registered within 30 days of purchase. Please register your device here and review the full warranty policy here.

Where can I find the device manual for the ZEN55?

Manual for the Zooz 800 Series Z-Wave Long Range DC Signal Sensor (PDF)

Watch the DC Signal Sensor In Action, including installation tips and automation on Home Assistant:

PRODUCT FUNCTIONALITY QUESTIONS

How does the ZEN55 identify smoke alarm and CO alerts individually?

The device recognizes each signal sent by the analog detector and translates it to an appropriate Z-Wave alert to tell you whether the alarm tripped based on a smoke or CO event.
The 9V interconnected signal difference is in the pulsing when sensing Smoke vs CO.
If you have a combination Smoke and CO alarm, you can test this through the test button on the alarm. The alarm will run through both smoke and CO, and you will see the different alarms displayed in your hub interface, depending on the hub integration with the ZEN55.

For the DC trigger voltage, what range will it accept? Say will 6 volts trigger it or does it need to be 9v?

There are 2 voltage levels indicated (as 2 major brands use different voltage). Essentially, the ZEN55 will recognize 6-9 V DC as a smoke detection signal, and 6-9 V pulse voltage ( 0-6 or 0-9 V DC in one second cycle) is recognized as a CO detection. There is a small margin in voltage detection, so 5 to 10V should work as well.

Can I use the ZEN55 with a heat alarm instead?

Our technicians have specifically tested the First Alert Heat Alarm model #HD6135FB and found that this specific heat alarm uses the exact same impulse signal as the First Alert smoke alarm, so the ZEN55 will recognize it and trigger a smoke alarm notification; there is not an option for a heat alarm notification on the ZEN55, however. We have not tested any other models at this time.

Is the ZEN55 a life-safety device?

This is NOT a security alarm component and the device is NOT part of a life-safety system. Check local regulations before installing.

What security level does the ZEN55 pair to my controller or hub with?

The highest level of security the ZEN55 supports is S2 Authenticated.

Will the ZEN55 act as a signal repeater for other Z-Wave devices in my network?

Yes, because the ZEN55 is constantly powered. Your Z-Wave hub decides which devices to use to reach other Z-Wave devices. Any non-battery powered Z-Wave device will act as a signal repeater; it would be up to your hub whether or not it will be used in a communication route.
If your hub supports Z-Wave Long Range, you can add the ZEN55 to your network as a Long Range device which means it will communicate with the hub directly at a much greater range. But it also means it will not participate in your Z-Wave mesh and will not act as a signal repeater or range extender since Z-Wave Long Range is a star topology type network.

What kind of load is the ZEN55 rated for? What is its maximum rating?

10 A.

Are the ZEN55 leads copper or aluminum?

They are copper stranded wires, which are tinned with an antioxidant layer.

What does each wire on the ZEN55 do?

S : The red wire connects to the red / orange signal wire on your smoke and CO detector.
OUT: The yellow wire connects to the optional 120V or low-voltage load like a siren alarm or visual light. In most installations it will remain unused and capped.
IN : The blue wire is the incoming power connection for your optional load - connect it to 120 V or low-voltage power source if using with a load. In most installations it will remain unused and capped.
L : The black wire connects to the 120 V source in the box that also powers your smoke and CO detector. It powers the ZEN55 device.
N : The white wire connects to neutral to close the circuit for the ZEN55 and smoke detector power source.

The photo for the ZEN55 LR sensor shows IN and OUT leads in addition to the others. Is there any documentation that details how those work?

The ZEN55 relay part is hidden by default. The relay can be enabled via parameter 8 in the advanced settings of the device (your hub will need to provide access to the parameters). By default, the signal on the red S pigtail (low voltage) from smoke/co sensors will trigger the relay. Via parameter 2, we can disable the red S pigtail to trigger the relay and then the relay can be used independently.
The IN and OUT pigtails are a dry contact relay. Once the red S pigtail is disabled, you can apply either 120VAC or 24/12V DC/AC. Whatever voltage will be applied on IN pigtail will be passed on the OUT pigtail once the relay is closed. Remember that you may need to separate low-voltage connections from high-voltage wires to keep the installation up to code.

What is the allowed voltage on the S pigtail?

The allowed voltage for the S signal pigtail on the ZEN55 is between 6 VDC - 12 VDC.

Can I use the sensor to trigger my smoke alarm?

No. The ZEN55 is a signal sensor; it simply receives the signal and translates it. It does not have the ability to turn on or off your smoke alarm.

Z-WAVE QUESTIONS

Do I need a Z-Wave hub to buy the ZEN55?

Yes.
To monitor the signals from your analog detector remotely through your smart phone, you'll need a compatible Z-Wave hub. These devices require a central controller that communicates with them and sends commands. Once you have a controller, you would download that controller's dedicated app on your phone and control your connected devices through that app. We recommend the Z-Box Hub for use with all Zooz devices to provide easy integration and intuitive programming.

Will I still be able to control / receive reports the ZEN55 if my Z-Wave hub is down or offline?

No. If the hub is offline, you won't receive any reports or notifications from the ZEN55.

Is the ZEN55 compatible with my hub?

You can find a list of compatible hubs for a given device under the Works With section on the product's page. Here is the list of hubs compatible with the ZEN55. We recommend the Z-Box Hub for use with all Zooz devices to provide easy integration and intuitive programming.

Will the ZEN55 work with my alarm panel?

No. Alarm panels like Alarm.com will typically only support single switches, door locks, select thermostats, and any authorized items on their list. We would recommend reaching out to your alarm panel company to verify compatibility and to get the latest on any device integrations they may be working on.
It would be up to your alarm panel to integrate the ZEN55, as it follows Z-Wave protocol and has been Z-Wave certified. There is nothing we can change on our end to have the ZEN55 be recognized correctly; Alarm.com would have to support the integration. Read more about alarm panel compatibility here.

Where do I find all of my ZEN55's advanced settings?

ZEN55 DC Signal Sensor Advanced Settings

How do I add the ZEN55 to my Z-Wave hub?

Does the ZEN55 support Long Range technology?

Yes, however, in order for Long Range to be implemented, both the end device and the hub software must support Long Range. At this time, no hubs provide Long Range support; the Z-Box should provide Long Range support in 2024.

How can I tell what firmware my ZEN55 is running on?

The firmware that your ZEN55 is shipped with should be printed on the back of the device where the model specifications are. If your hub supports and properly integrates the device, you should also see the firmware listed in your Z-Wave interface.
Firmware that is listed as 1.01 (or any other value with a 0 in the middle) in the ZEN55's change log may display as 1.1 in your hub.

How do I update the firmware of my ZEN55?

Some Z-Wave hubs, like the Z-Box Hub have a built-in firmware updater that you can use. Otherwise, we recommend using the PC Controller tool on the Simplicity Studio Software as described here.
You can access firmware files directly in the firmware repository here.

How long does the update take? How do I know when it's finished?

Firmware updates should usually take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on connection quality and how much information needs to actually be updated on a given device.
- If it is taking longer than that, please try to bring the hub / controller closer to the device that is being updated.

Where can I find the history of changes and firmware updates for the ZEN55?

ZEN55 DC Signal Sensor Change Log

What series Z-Wave chip does the ZEN55 use?

The device uses an 800 series Z-Wave chip.

Is the ZEN55 available in EU Z-Wave frequency?

The device is currently available in 908.42 MHz (US) frequency only. We do not currently have plans to release it in EU or AU frequency.
The ZEN55 is not available in EU frequency at this time for a number of reasons:
1. The ZEN55 is designed to be powered by 120V, which is standard in the US, while the UK standard is 230V.
2. Additionally, the ZEN55 is specifically designed for US smoke alarms, and will not work with a UK smoke alarm. Frequency and voltage aside, engineering requirements for US smoke alarms and UK smoke sensors are different. They also have different signal pulse patterns, which will not be identifiable to the ZEN55.

Check out the Zooz Knowledge Base for free support articles about the ZEN55 DC Signal Sensor (and all of our devices)!