ZAC38 Range Extender FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About the ZAC38 Range Extender

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INSTALLATION QUESTIONS

Can the ZAC38 be installed outdoors?

No. The ZAC38 is rated for indoor use only. We would recommend using the ZEN05 Outdoor Plug or ZEN14 Outdoor Double Plug for outdoor use.

Is the ZAC38 available in other colors?

No. The ZAC38 is available in white only.

What are the dimensions of the ZAC38? How big is the device?

1" x 1" x 1.25"

Will this cover up the other outlet or can other devices be plugged in?

The ZAC38 Range Extender leaves enough space for the other outlet in your receptacle and will not cover it.

What is the warranty coverage for the ZAC38 Range Extender?

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 ZAC38 device manual?

ZAC38 Manual

PRODUCT FUNCTIONALITY QUESTIONS

Does the ZAC38 have energy or power monitoring?

What security level does the ZAC38 pair to my controller or hub with?

The highest level of security the Range Extender supports is S2 Authenticated.

Will the ZAC38 act as a signal repeater for other Z-Wave devices in my network?

Yes. 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.

Will the ZAC38 still act as a signal repeater during a power outage when it is running on battery?

No. As per Z-Wave protocol, battery powered devices do not act as signal repeaters. When the ZAC38 switches to battery, it will send the AC main disconnected report to alert for the outage, and will no longer be a signal repeating device.

Is the back-up battery in the ZAC38 replaceable?

No, the battery in the range extender is built-in and cannot be replaced. The battery automatically recharges when the range extender is plugged in and it cannot be removed or replaced.

How long will the back-up battery in the ZAC38 last for?

Depending on the network traffic and how many signals the device relays, you can expect 24 to 96 hours of battery life on the range extender from a full charge. The battery is designed to take on over 500 full charges which should last for over 10 years of normal use.

Z-WAVE QUESTIONS

Do I need a Z-Wave hub to buy this device?

Yes. To use the range extending and signal repeating features as well as control the device remotely and access the advanced features, you would need a Z-Wave hub. The ZAC38 communicates via Z-Wave and would require a hub to allow you to control it remotely.
To control any of our Z-Wave devices 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.

Is the ZAC38 Range Extender 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 ZAC38.

Will the ZAC38 work with my alarm panel?

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.
The ZAC38 Range Extender should pair and work as a repeating/range extending device, but you would not have access to the advanced settings. It would be up to your alarm panel to integrate the device, as it follows Z-Wave protocol and has been Z-Wave certified. There is nothing we can change on our end to have the device be recognized correctly; Alarm.com would have to support the integration. Read more about alarm panel compatibility here.

Can I connect the Range Extender directly to my Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or other smart speaker?

No. Smart speakers like Alexa or Google are not equipped with a Z-Wave chip and are not Z-Wave gateway controllers.
Without a compatible Z-Wave hub, no Z-Wave products will function correctly with Alexa or Google alone.

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

ZAC38 Advanced Settings

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

How can I tell what firmware my ZAC38 is running on?

The firmware that your device 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 ZAC38's change log may display as 1.1 in your hub.

How do I update the firmware of my ZAC38?

Some Z-Wave hubs 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 will need to register your device in order to have access to Zooz firmware files.

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 ZAC38?

ZAC38 Range Extender Change Log

What series Z-Wave chip does the ZAC38 use?

The ZAC38 uses an 800 series Z-Wave chip

Is the ZAC38 available in other Z-Wave frequencies?

The ZAC38 is available in US/CA/MX as well as EU frequencies

Do I need a converter to use the ZAC38 in Europe?

Yes. You will need a plug adapter and power converter to use the ZAC38 in Europe.

Check out the Zooz Knowledge Base for free support articles about the ZAC38 Range Extender (and all of our devices)!