Contact Information
For questions, please reach out via:
Website: www.home2link.nl
Email: info@home2link.nl
Phone: 085 029 05 78
Product Overview
Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5
The Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 is crafted to power connected lighting using Z-Wave Plus as a self-powered Z-Wave® USB Adapter. It is powered by Aeotec's Gen5 technology.
Get to Know Your Z-Stick
The Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5 is a USB adapter. It features an 'Action Button' and a 'Reset Button'.
Important Safety Information
Please read this and other device guides carefully. Failure to follow the recommendations set forth by Aeotec Limited may be dangerous or cause a violation of the law. The manufacturer, importer, distributor, and/or reseller will not be held responsible for any loss or damage resulting from not following any instructions in this guide or in other materials.
- Keep product and batteries away from open flames and extreme heat.
- Avoid direct sunlight or heat exposure.
- Improper battery use may damage the product.
Z-Stick Gen5 is intended for indoor use in dry locations only. Do not use in damp, moist, and / or wet locations.
Quick Start
The Z-Stick operates in three distinct modes: Inclusion-Mode, Removal-Mode, and SerialAPI-Mode. Both Inclusion-Mode and Removal-Mode require the Z-Stick to be unplugged from the USB connector of the host, while SerialAPI-Mode requires the Z-Stick to be plugged into the USB connector of the host. Software drivers for the "ZW050x_USB_VCP_PC_Driver" may need to be installed for the Z-Stick to be recognized on some computers.
Recommended Software
For those just getting started, we recommend the free software Home Assistant or Domoticz.
Inclusion-Mode: Adding/Including Z-Wave Devices into the Z-Wave Network
- To initiate Inclusion-Mode, unplug the Z-Stick from the USB connector and then tap the Action Button. (The blue LED will blink slowly.)
- To include a new Z-Wave device into the network, simply go to the device with the Z-Stick and press the button on the device you wish to include. (The blue LED on the Z-Stick will blink fast during a network neighbor discovery and stay solid for 2 seconds to indicate successful inclusion of the device into the network.)
- The blue LED will then return to blinking slowly, indicating readiness for further device inclusions. Repeat step 2 for each device you wish to include.
- Tap the Z-Stick's Action Button to turn it off, or it will automatically exit the removal mode after 30 seconds of inactivity.
Removal-Mode: Deleting/Removing/Excluding Z-Wave Devices from the Z-Wave Network
- To initiate Removal-Mode, unplug the Z-Stick from the USB connector. Then press and hold down the Action Button for approximately 2 seconds. (The orange LED will blink fast.)
- To remove a Z-Wave device from the network, simply go to the device with the Z-Stick and press the button on the device you wish to remove. (The blue LED on the Z-Stick will immediately stay solid for 2 seconds to indicate successful removal from the network.)
- The orange LED will then return to blink fast, indicating readiness for further device exclusions. Repeat step 2 for each device you wish to exclude.
- Tap the Z-Stick's Action Button to turn it off, or it will automatically exit the removal mode after 30 seconds of inactivity.
Third-Party Host Software
To use the Z-Stick Gen5 and control your Z-Wave network, you must download third-party software for full control. You can find all known third-party software at this link:
We do not provide software apart from:
- Backup Tool
Advanced Use
Backup Tool for Z-Stick Gen5
You can back up the Z-Stick Gen5 using the Z-Stick Gen5 Backup Software. This is useful to restore an older save of your network or replace a failed Z-Stick Gen5, preventing the need to reconfigure your network in case of catastrophic issues.
Download the installation setup for Backup Software here: Z-Stick Gen5 Backup Software Download
Learn how to use the Backup Software for backup and restore operations here: Using Z-Stick Gen5 Backup Software
Installation and Maintenance Application (IMA) Feature
When the Z-Stick is in Serial API Mode and acts as a primary controller, it can measure the network health for each device in the network. The different LED colors indicate the communication quality between the Z-Stick Controller and the devices in the network.
When the Z-Stick acts as an independent/secondary controller and is unplugged from the USB host, it can also measure the network health in the Z-Wave network. The different LED colors on the Z-Stick indicate the communication quality between the Central Controller and the current location of the Z-Stick in the network.
To activate IMA: Short press the Action Button 5 times.
If the LED light changes to purple and is then followed by fast blinking, it means it has entered the IMA feature. The LED indicator color changes according to the network health level:
- Green LED: Current communication quality is more than 95% at -7dBm.
- Orange LED: Current communication quality is more than 95% at 0dBm.
- Purple LED: Current communication quality is less than 95% at 0dBm.
- Red LED: Current communication has failed.
To exit IMA: Short press the Action Button 5 times again; the Z-Stick will automatically exit the IMA feature.
SerialAPI-Mode: Allowing a Host Processor to Take Control of the Z-Stick and Take Part in the Z-Wave Network
Note: To initiate SerialAPI-Mode, plug the Z-Stick into the USB connector of the host (e.g., PC, MAC, or Gateway).
- While in SerialAPI-mode, the Z-Stick is always listening (it is awake and always in RX receive mode) for instructions and acts as a Z-Wave adapter, responding to commands sent through USB by the host processor software.
- Pressing the Action Button will have no effect while in SerialAPI-Mode. However, a short press of the Reset Button will reset the USB port.
Adding Z-Stick to a Pre-existing Z-Wave Network
This must be done through the host software that controls the Z-Stick USB adapter while the Z-Stick is in SerialAPI-Mode. Please consult the instruction manual of the host software to add the Z-Stick to a pre-existing Z-Wave network (e.g., "Learn", "Sync", "Add as Secondary Controller", etc.). This function can only be performed via host software.
Reset Your Z-Stick
At some stage, you may wish to reset all of your Z-Stick's settings to their factory defaults. To do this:
- Press and hold the RESET Button for 20 seconds, then release it. (You can visually watch the 'C' LED.)
- The LED will blink red faster and faster over the course of 20 seconds.
- The blue LED will turn solid for 2 seconds as confirmation of a successful factory reset; you may now let go of the RESET button.
The Z-Stick can also be reset to factory default settings via the host software (any third-party software such as: Homeseer, Domoticz, Indigo, Axial, etc).
- The host software must take control of the Z-Stick USB adapter while the Z-Stick is in SerialAPI-Mode.
- Find the "Reset Z-Wave controller" option/button/function in your third-party software.
Upgrading Z-Stick with the Latest Software
Note: There is currently no firmware update available for the Z-Stick Gen5. However, if a firmware update were available, the following instructions would guide you on how to perform it.
- Download the Aeon Labs Z-Stick upgrade software that contains the firmware update and UART to USB driver.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Disable Z-Stick Gen5 LED using Backup Tool
You can disable the LED of the Z-Stick Gen5. The only requirement is the use of a Windows OS to use the Backup Tool.
Please follow the article here and go through the step-by-step instructions to disable the LED of your Z-Stick Gen5:
