Z-Wave Switches - Looks like there is a problem with IDs

Configuration
1

I think the problem is with IDs.

I added two Z-Wave light switches. The same model - 12727. I renamed both of them in configuration.yaml file:

    switch.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_switch:
      friendly_name: 'Entry Light'
      icon: mdi:lightbulb
    switch.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_switch_2:
      friendly_name: 'Unfinished Area Light'
      icon: mdi:lightbulb

When I check History page, it shows me the

Entry Light

and

GE 12727 In-Wall Smart Switch (Toggle) Switch

When I check nodes, I see the following:
The node 2 (first light switch)

friendly_name: GE 12727 In-Wall Smart Switch (Toggle)
new_entity_id: zwave.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle
node_id: 2
node_name: GE 12727 In-Wall Smart Switch (Toggle)
old_entity_id: zwave.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_2
product_name: 12727 In-Wall Smart Switch (Toggle)

The node 3 (second light switch)

friendly_name: GE 12727 In-Wall Smart Switch (Toggle)
new_entity_id: zwave.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle
node_id: 3
node_name: GE 12727 In-Wall Smart Switch (Toggle)
old_entity_id: zwave.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_3
product_name: 12727 In-Wall Smart Switch (Toggle)

The switch attributes for the first switch:

friendly_name: Entry Light
icon: mdi:lightbulb
new_entity_id: switch.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_switch
node_id: 2
old_entity_id: switch.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_switch_2_0
value_index: 0
value_instance: 1

for the second switch:

friendly_name: Unfinished Area Light
icon: mdi:lightbulb
new_entity_id: switch.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_switch
node_id: 3
old_entity_id: switch.ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_switch_3_0
value_index: 0
value_instance: 1

As you can see, they have the same “new_entity_id”.
Is it normal? Is this how it should be?

Thank you.

2

You need to rename them from the Zwave menu in HA. Select the node you want to change in the Zwave menu and then you can apply your friendly name if you wish in the Rename Node text box. Restart HA and your new name will be there.

3

I do not believe this will help. I specifically restrict History tab to display zwave nodes. It should show only entities, and, as you can see, they already have friendly names setup.

4

The change in .47 put the onus on the user to fix duplicate Entiry_IDs. It was optional but may now be mandatory. The end result is a simple rename the node to something identifiable rather than ge_12727_inwall_smart_switch_toggle_switch it can be entry_light and you can use switch.entry_light in your automation’s etc.

5

Got it, thank you.

6

Most welcome.
I spent a few hours renaming all my devices and redoing automations etc. I can replace a device, re-pair a device and as long as I rename the new entity the same as my original entity, all the automations, scripts, scenes work as they did previously.I can even re-pair a device for fun. :grinning:

7

@zarthan: How do you re-pair 12727 devices. It seems I started losing them, but I cannot find how to remove them. When I try to Remove Node, it does not do it.

8

@onlize What do you mean “I started losing them”? Are the devices showing as dead? What procedure are you using to Remove Node? If the device is no longer in range of the Z-wave controller, you can try Remove Failed Node or move the controller closer and try Remove Node. If you are using the Aeotec Z-stack, you can remove the stick and bring it closer to the switch and perform the remove procedure. Not knowing more about your situation it is really difficult to provide a better response. I always perform a Remove Node for a new device before I do an Add Node to make sure the device is “clean”.

9

When I restart HA, switches are working, but stop working in a few hours. Sometimes I have to reboot two or three times to make it work. Devices show as “dead” after a couple of hours.

I have a switch that is even further from the controller and it works. Actually two non-working switches are between my controller and the switch that works.

I tried to click on Remove Failed Node, but after reboot the node is still there. Not sure what to do to remove it.

10

I get this when I click on Remove Failed Node. Very similar message if I click on Remove Node on the top:

image

11

A node becomes dead when it cannot reach the Zwave controller or another device that is capable of relaying the communication. The straight-line distance between the device and Z-Wave controller is not a measure of how well something can communicate. ANYTHING between the device and the controller drastically cuts down radio signal strength. Thinking line of site from the device’s perspective, what is between the device and the controller? Walls, floors, furniture . . . A ten-foot hallway with a switch at each end might seem to be an ideal situation. If both switches are on the same side of the hallway, the radio signal must pass through all the lumber, wiring, plumbing and heating ducts that may be in the walls. Z-Wave really benefits from more devices. More well-placed line powered devices will build a Z-Wave mesh with multiple communication paths to and from the controller. You may want to consider moving either device or controller to get better communications until you have more Z-Wave devices in your mesh.
There are differences between Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus devices. The Plus devices are more capable and may be able to communicate better than a non Plus device.

12

That error indicates a problem with accessing the controller. Check that you’ve not installed any other Z-Wave software, and that the permissions are correct on the device.