The Z-Box Hub makes it easy to add an action to any of the central scene triggers with handy shortcuts and a powerful scene creation tool. Scene control is a bonus feature on Zooz light switches that allows you to use them as smart remote controls. You can program each paddle for multi-tap triggers to turn on different connected devices in your home or even change the mode on your smart thermostat. This functionality is available only if your Z-Wave hub supports the central scene command class in the interface.

What Is Z-Wave Central Scene?

Z-Wave Central Scene is a command class used in Z-Wave devices that allows switches, dimmers, remotes, or other controllers to report different button press actions (like single tap, double tap, hold, release) to a central controller (like SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, etc.).

Unlike traditional Z-Wave scenes that require direct device-to-device associations, Central Scene commands are interpreted by the hub, allowing for flexible automations.

Scene Numbers and Paddle Mapping

In most Z-Wave switches that support Central Scene:

• Each paddle or button is assigned a Scene Number.

• Different press actions (like single tap, double tap, hold, etc.) are reported with different key attributes (not scene numbers).

For example, on our standard wall switches, the mapping below will apply. NOTE: Use of the ZAC99 in a multi-way installation is only supported on the ZEN71 On/Off Switch, ZEN72 Dimmer, ZEN32 Scene Controller, and ZEN35 Scene Dimmer. When using the ZEN71 On/Off Switch and ZEN72 Dimmer with the ZAC99, you have the option to enable scene control from the remote 3-way momentary switch via the advanced settings, and then you will also have Scene 003 available. 

So:

• Tapping the upper paddle on a main switch = Scene 001

• Tapping the lower paddle on a main switch = Scene 002

• Pressing the ZAC99 momentary switch in a 3-way setup = Scene 003

When using the ZAC99 with the ZEN32 Scene Controller or the ZEN35 Scene Dimmer, you will have Scene 006 available, as the standard button mapping for those devices displays as shown below:

This mapping allows the hub to distinguish where the command is coming from, even if it's physically wired to the same load.

Example: Zooz Switch + ZAC99 Momentary

Let’s say you have a ZEN71 or ZEN72 wired in a 3-way with the ZAC99 Momentary Switch. If you would like to use the ZAC99 for scene control purposes, you would first need to enable scene control from the remote 3-way switch via the advanced settings in the ZEN71/ZEN72.

Here’s how it works:

• The main Zooz switch paddle:

  • Upper Paddle (Scene 001) – Can be programmed to send commands using central scene like:

    • Single tap: Turn on light

    • Double tap: Activate scene

    • Hold: Dim up

  • Lower Paddle (Scene 002) – Can send:

    • Single tap: Turn off light

    • Double tap: Deactivate scene

    • Hold: Dim down

• The ZAC99 switch (Scene 003) wired as a remote 3-way control:

  • Sends Central Scene reports as Scene 003 with different key attributes for tap, hold, release, etc.

So in your automation platform, you can detect something like:

• Scene 001, key attribute 3 (double tap) → Turn on Movie Mode

• Scene 002, key attribute 2 (hold) → Dim lights down

• Scene 003, key attribute 1 (single tap) → Toggle lights from the ZAC99 location

What Switches Support Central Scene?

The instructions below can be used for the following light switch models.

NOTE: Please remember that use of the ZAC99 Momentary Switch is only supported with the ZEN71, ZEN72, ZEN32, and ZEN35 models:

• ZEN30 Double Switch
• ZEN32 Scene Controller
• ZEN35 Scene Dimmer
• ZEN71 On | Off Switch
• ZEN72 Dimmer
• ZEN73 Toggle Switch
• ZEN74 Toggle Dimmer
• ZEN75 Heavy Duty Switch
• ZEN76 S2 On | Off Switch
• ZEN77 S2 Dimmer

Important Notes

Before you start programming your switch, please note:

• You always need a Z-Wave hub that supports this functionality to program scene control on your smart switches. Please check if your system has button control built into its interface for our devices first.
• You can only trigger devices which are controllable from your hub's interface. This type of communication between the devices requires that your hub is active and operational.
• The paddle on your switch will now be treated like a button on a remote control that's pressed or held - it will send only this information to the hub and should not be treated as an additional on/off device with its own status.
• After you add the switch to the hub, you need to go to the advanced settings to enable scene control on your device (it's disabled by default). If you don't change the setting first, your programming won't work. If you're not sure how to access the settings for your switch, simply search for your model number and the word "settings" in our Support Portal to get detailed instructions for your hub.

Central Scene Z-Box Programming Instructions

Here is how to program multi-tap triggers for your switches in the Z-Box Hub interface:

1. Make sure you're logged in to the WEB UI with local connection (same wifi network as your Z-Box Hub).

2. Click on Settings (gear icon) in the sidebar navigation menu on your Z-Box web interface.

3. A new screen showing all of your devices will appear. Your Zooz switch will display as two devices: an on/off or a dimmer device and a remote controller device. Click on the arrow next to the controller device for the Zooz switch you would like to program.

4. Click on the Parameters tab in the settings view.

5. You'll see the settings for the device listed - click on the arrow next to the Scene Control setting to enable it. Click Save.

6. Click on the Advanced tab to see the button trigger menu and assign actions to the paddles of your switch. Button 1 refers to the top paddle and button 2 refers to the bottom paddle on your switch. Simply click on the "ADD ACTION" button to start a new scene for the trigger of your choice.

7. You'll be transferred to the scene building tool where you can follow the directions here to complete your automation.

Questions? Reach out to our team if any information is missing or you're having problems setting up your switch as a scene controller.