VeraSecure Advanced Smart Home Security Controller

Congratulations!

Welcome to Vera Smarter Home Control. The VeraSecure Advanced Smart Home Security Controller provides security you can count on, plus safety and convenience.

What's In The Box

The VeraSecure package includes:

• VeraSecure Controller
• AC Power Adapter
• Ethernet Cable

Controller Features

• 2-Way Audio Button: Press to activate 2-way audio intercom to speak with emergency dispatch (requires optional monitoring service).
• Siren: Automatically emits a piercing alarm if there's a security breach.
• Microphone: Enables hearing what's going on in your home from anywhere, via the Vera app.
• Battery Backup: If AC power goes out, this built-in Backup Battery will continue to power VeraSecure for up to 8 hours to keep your home protected.
• 3G Cellular: If the Internet goes out, the cellular data backup connection enables VeraSecure to continue sending emergency alerts, notifications, and also change home modes.
• Antenna: External antenna extends the range of 345 (US) or 433 (EU) MHz protocol.

For more information on these controller features, visit: www.getvera.com/controllers/verasecure

LED Indicators

The controller features the following LED indicators:

• 1: Power
• 2: Internet
• 3: Wi-Fi ?
• 4: Z-Wave
• 5: Service
• 6: ZigBee
• 7: Bluetooth
• 8: VeraLink*
• 9: Cellular

* VeraLink Protocol is either 345MHz (US) or 433MHz (EU).

Physical Buttons

The controller has the following buttons on its rear/side:

• 2-Way Audio
• Reset ⚙️
• Sync
• Select
• Mic

Installation

1. Firmly connect the provided Ethernet Cable from your VeraSecure to your Wi-Fi router (or other Internet source).
2. Firmly connect the AC Power Adapter to VeraSecure and plug it into an AC outlet. VeraSecure has no on/off switch; it will power up as soon as you plug in the AC adapter.

To set up your controller, go to http://home.getvera.com.

• New Users: Click the “I have a new controller" button, agree to the terms and conditions, then select your Controller.
• Existing Users: Please log in and click the "Add another controller" button, then select your Controller.

Follow the on-screen Setup Instructions.

Overview

The VeraSecure Home Controller is the central hub for creating security or smart home scenes. It works with over two thousand devices, allowing you to customize your smart home exactly the way you want. Scenes enable you to combine devices such as cameras, lighting, and sensors to personalize your system.

Device Types Supported

Vera App

The Vera App controls your entire VeraSecure system, including all connected devices. It serves as a unified interface, eliminating the need for individual device apps. The free Vera app is accessible on smartphones (iOS and Android), tablets, and via a web browser on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux computers. You can use your computer at home and your smartphone when away. VeraSecure continues to monitor your home 24/7, even when the app is not actively open.

Key Features of Vera App

• Modes: Control all your devices at once with customizable Modes like Home, Away, Night, and Vacation.
• Cards: The Current Status Card on the Dashboard provides a quick overview of your Vera system's status, such as confirming all windows are closed and the alarm is armed.
• Users: Add multiple users with individual usernames and passwords. The Vera app allows you to set specific permissions and notifications for each user, suitable for families or small businesses.
• Notifications: Receive text or email alerts for system events, such as doors opening, motion detection, or smoke alarms triggering. For more information on setting up notifications, visit: http://support.getvera.com

Scenes

Scenes allow you to control devices based on triggers from other devices. For example, turn on an outdoor light when a motion sensor is triggered, or receive a text alert when a door is opened. Timer scenes use the controller's clock to automate device actions like turning on lights or sprinklers.

Geofencing ?

Utilize your cell phone's location to automate your system. As you arrive home, your garage door can automatically open. When you leave, lights can turn off, doors can lock, and your thermostat can adjust to save energy. Ensure you carry your phone for this feature to work.

For more information on Geofencing, visit: www.getvera.com/geofencing

Range Extenders

If a device is not functioning correctly in its location but works when closer to the VeraSecure controller, you may need a repeater or range extender. These devices expand your network's coverage area by amplifying and retransmitting your existing signal.

While VeraSecure connects wirelessly to various protocols (Z-Wave, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VeraLink), repeaters and range extenders are protocol-specific and must match your device's protocol.

[Vera Controller] + [Repeater] = [Extended Range]

For more information on repeaters, visit: https://shop.getvera.com

Help Options

Vera is committed to making VeraSecure and the Vera App user-friendly. Free customer support is available from experts who can quickly identify and resolve issues.

• Support Website: support.getvera.com
• Phone Support: +1 (866) 966-2272
• Email Support: support@getvera.com

Vera Knowledge Base

Access articles with instructions, downloadable manufacturer sheets, extensive FAQs, and videos demonstrating system setup and features at http://support.getvera.com. Forums are also available for user and expert responses.

Warranty ?️

Vera stands behind its products. If your Vera Smart Home Controller fails within the first 12 months from purchase, Vera will repair or replace the unit free of charge.

Inclusion and Exclusion

Your VeraSecure Controller is compatible with a wide range of Z-Wave devices, including sensors, alarms, door locks, and thermostats. Over a thousand Z-Wave devices from various brands are supported. Z-Wave is a wireless communication system; check device packaging or specifications to confirm Z-Wave compatibility.

Before VeraSecure can control a device, it must be included into the Vera system.

Vera Custom Device Wizards: Available for select devices that have passed stringent Vera Labs testing for compatibility and quality, making inclusion/exclusion easier with specific details for each device. A list of these devices is available at http://getvera.com/compatibility/.

Generic Device Wizard: Used for all other Z-Wave devices or categories (thermostats, sensors, alarms, etc.) when a specific Custom Device Wizard is not available.

To begin, after setting up your VeraSecure Controller, use the Vera UI to select Devices and then Add Device.

Inclusion/Exclusion for Devices with Vera Custom Device Wizard

1. Step 1: Select Devices and click on the Add Device option.
2. Step 2: Click on the "+" sign for the device's category. A list of Vera Custom Device Wizards is displayed. Select a device to include.
3. Step 3: Follow the steps in the Device Wizard to add the device.

After adding a new device, the VeraSecure Controller will prompt you to name it and assign it to a room.

Note: If a device was previously included with a different Z-Wave system, you must exclude it before adding it to your VeraSecure. You may also need to do this if you encounter issues during the first inclusion/exclusion attempt. Press the Retry button to start the exclusion process. Once excluded, add the device by following the inclusion steps.

Inclusion/Exclusion for Devices using a Generic Device Wizard

1. Step 1: Select Devices and click on the Add Device option.
2. Step 2: Click on the "+" sign for the Other Device's category. If your specific device is not listed, select the "Generic Z-Wave Device" option.
3. Step 3: Follow the steps in the Device Wizard to add the device.

After adding a new device, the VeraSecure Controller will prompt you to name it and assign it to a room.

Note: If a device was previously included with a different Z-Wave system, you must exclude it before adding it to your VeraSecure. You may also need to do this if you encounter issues during the first inclusion/exclusion attempt. Press the Retry button to start the exclusion process. Once excluded, add the device by following the inclusion steps.

VeraSecure Buttons

Z-Wave Include/Exclude Mode

During normal installation of Z-Wave devices, you do NOT need to use these buttons. These instructions are for manually starting Z-Wave Include and Exclude Modes:

• Press the Select button.
• Press the Select button again. The Z-Wave light will begin blinking.
• For Include Mode, press the Sync button briefly (less than 1 second).
• For Exclude Mode, press and hold the Sync button for at least 2 seconds, then release.

Controller Reset

• Reset to Network Defaults: Press the Reset button 3 times within 6 seconds.
• Factory Reset: Press the Reset button 6 times within 6 seconds.

The Controller will reboot after a reset.

Note: If this controller is the primary controller for your network, resetting it will orphan the nodes in your network, requiring you to exclude and re-include them. If this controller is a secondary controller, use this procedure only if the primary controller is missing or inoperable.

Advanced Z-Wave Functions

These functions are typically needed for specific technical situations, professional installers creating large systems, or developers creating new hardware or software. You may need to access these functions if there's a problem with your system, you need to reset the Z-Wave network, upgrade to a different Vera Controller model, enable another controller to operate your VeraSecure, or for other technical reasons.

To access Advanced Z-Wave Functions, select Settings, then Z-Wave Settings, and finally the Advanced tab.

Available Advanced Z-Wave Options:

• A. Reset Z-Wave network: Clears all user configuration data and assigns a new Z-Wave HouseID.
• B. Copy Z-Wave network from a primary controller: Allows the unit to copy all Z-Wave related information from a Primary Z-Wave Controller, used with Replication.
• C. Controller shift: Transfers the role of primary controller to another Z-Wave controller. The other controller becomes the 'Master controller', and Vera becomes a secondary controller, responsible for network healing and acting as SIS/SUC.
• D. Reset the Z-Wave chip: Re-initializes the Z-Wave chip.
• E. Get network update from SUC/SIS: Updates the slave controller network from the primary controller it's currently added to. Used when Vera is a secondary controller.
• F. Backup Z-Wave Network: Backs up the Z-Wave network and configuration settings for restoration on another gateway. Procedure explained at: http://support.getvera.com/customer/portal/articles/2345058
• G. Reload Engine: Reloads the Lua engine.
• H. Update Neighbor Nodes: Forces the controller to perform a node neighbor update over Z-Wave for all nodes in the network.

Learn Mode

Include your controller into an existing Z-Wave network. Steps using the web interface:

Click on Settings > Z-Wave Settings > Advanced > Select 'Copy Z-Wave network from a primary controller'. This puts the controller into learn mode and shifts it to a secondary role, allowing it to receive data from a primary device and associate with other devices in the Z-Wave network.

Replication

Include another controller and transfer the Z-Wave network data to it. Steps using the web interface:

Click on Settings > Z-Wave Settings > Advanced > Select ‘Controller Shift’. All Z-Wave devices will be replicated into the new controller, transferring data from one controller to another. With replication, the new controller becomes primary.

Basic Command Class Handling

The basic command class is controlled by Vera and is not mapped to any other Z-Wave Command Class. More details can be found at: http://wiki.mios.com/index.php/ZWave_Basic_Command_Class_Mapping

Support for Association Command Class

VeraSecure supports the Lifeline association command class.

• Group ID: 1 - lifeline
• Number of nodes in group: 5

More details can be found at: http://wiki.mios.com/index.php/Association

Support for Multiple Manufacturers in The Same Network

The controller can be included and operated in any Z-Wave network with other certified Z-Wave devices from different manufacturers or applications. All non-battery operated nodes within the network will act as repeaters, regardless of vendor, to enhance network reliability.

Support for sending Z-Wave Commands

Z-Wave commands can be sent using the Vera API, allowing HTTP requests with a specified command class to a specified node. More details are available at: http://wiki.mios.com/index.php/Luup_UPnP_Variables_and_Actions#ZWaveNetwork1

To send a Z-Wave command, you need the node ID of the controlled Z-Wave device and the command class. For example, to control node 3 and send a BASIC_SET with a value of 00, the command is:

http://GATEWAY_IP/port_3480/data_request?id=action&DeviceNum=1&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:ZWaveNetwork1&action=SendData&Node=3&Data=0x20-0x01-0x00

Where:

• GATEWAY_IP is the actual local IP address of the unit.
• Node is the Z-Wave node the command is sent to.
• Data contains the Z-Wave Command Class sent to the device.