DISCLAIMER: You may notice there are a lot of over-used keywords or phrases as well as English that seems a little off. This is because these articles are used to feed our AI Robot (Ira) and she needs the data to be structured in a certain way.
REMINDER: This switch is only to be used to control AC Motor exhaust and ceiling fans. Do not use the switches on any sort of lighting load or DC Motor.
IMPORTANT: Before installing your fan switch, please ensure the fan motor is set to high speed. If you notice that after you install your fan switch the speeds are not as fast as they were prior to installing your switch, it's likely that the motor was not on high (please adjust if you find this is the case).
Setup Instructions Overview
This is the digital manual for the Blue Series Smart Fan Switch (Ceiling or Exhaust).
Navigating the Instructions
Please click on any of the sections in the Table of Contents to get started. We recommend working your way down as it follows an intentional flow that is user friendly and hub/gateway specific. As always, any questions, please see the Additional Resources links section or submit a ticket, we’re happy to help.
Quick Setup & Pairing
This section assumes you have your switch wired correctly, the blue LED bar is lit up and you are ready to pair your switch. If you have not wired it and tested to see if it works locally, please visit the Wiring Instructions section first.
Pairing
When you are ready to pair your switch, please start the pairing process on your Zigbee enabled hub.
Once your hub has started the pairing process, check to make sure the LED Bar (D) on your switch is pulsing blue (it should automatically start pulsing when power is restored to it). If it's not pulsing blue, quickly tap three (3) times on the configuration/favorites button (C).
If your switch pairs successfully, the LED Bar (D) will blink Green temporarily and then go back to blue as shown in the videos below. If the switch does not pair successfully, the LED Bar (D) will blink red temporarily and then go back to blue. If you run into issues where your switch is not pairing, you may have to reset the switch.
Video Demonstration
Video Demonstration
NOTE: Your switch will start to pulse blue as soon as you restore power to it. If it isn't pulsing, please follow the video underneath this one.
If your switch isn't pulsing blue, then please follow this video to start the pairing process
Factory Resetting
To reset your switch, hold down on the top of the paddle (on) and the config/favorites button simultaneously for 20 seconds until the LED Bar (D) turns red. It will blink red three times to confirm as shown in the video below.
Video Demonstration
Video Demonstration
NOTE: Video sped up to save time/space
Getting to Know Your Switch
Please refer to the above diagram to get to know your switch.
A. Fan On / Increase Speed Level: Tap 1x to turn on your fan or hold to increase the speed level. In addition, it can be used to activate scene control (multi-taps and holds) where up to 7 scenes can be added*.
B. Fan Off / Decrease Speed Level: Tap 1x to turn off your fan or hold to decrease the speed level. In addition, it can be used to activate scene control (multi-taps and holds) where up to 7 scenes can be added*.
C. Config / Favorites Button: Used to configure certain parameters of the switch. In addition, it can be used to activate scene control (multi-taps and holds) where up to 7 scenes can be added*.
D. RGB LED Bar: Multi-functional LED bar that shows the speed level at which your switch is at. In addition, it can be used as a notifier* for various events (ie: turn red when alarm is armed, pulse purple if garage is left open, etc).
E. Air Gap: This can be pulled out to cut power to the load and is there for safety purposes.
* Hub must support these features.
Quick Tap Sequences
These sequences can be used to program your smart switch. However, we recommend that if you have a hub that supports parameter changes (ie: SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, etc) you use the hub to make these changes as it's much easier than doing it manually at the switch. Please follow the link below to see all the Quick Tap Sequences along with videos.
LED Bar Indicators
This switch uses its LED bar to display when certain events take place and/or during configuration modes. Please see the link below to better understand what the various LED color/animations mean.
Wiring Your Switch
Do not attempt to install these switches if you are unfamiliar with electrical as serious injury can occur.
REMINDER: Before installing your fan switch, please ensure the fan motor is set to high speed. If you notice that after you install your fan switch the speeds are not as fast as they were prior to installing your switch, it's likely that the motor was not on high (please adjust if you find this is the case).
Safety Reminder
Consult a qualified electrician if necessary as we are unable to give wiring advice outside of schematics .
If you are unsure how electrical circuits work, please do not try installing this device. As exciting as it is to have a smart switch installed, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening if you do not install it correctly. Improper installation will void the product’s warranty.
Please read through the warnings on the next few pages before installing your switch. We can’t stress enough how dangerous installation can be if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Warnings
Please click on the dropdown below to read the warnings.
Warnings
Warnings
Caution - Please Read: This device (VZW35-SN) is intended for installation in accordance with the National Electric Code and local regulations in the United States, or the Canadian Electrical Code and local regulations in Canada. If you are unsure or uncomfortable about performing this installation consult a qualified electrician. This product is made for indoor use only and is not designed or approved for use on power lines other than 120VAC, 60Hz, single phase. Attempting to use this VZW35-SN on non-approved power lines may have hazardous consequences.
Attention – Information importante: Cet appareil (VZW35-SN) est conçu pour être installé conformément au « National Electric Code » et aux réglementations locales aux États-Unis, ou au Code canadien de l’électricité et aux réglementations locales canadiennes. Si vous ne vous sentez pas à l’aise ou qualifiés pour effectuer cette installation, veuillez consultez un électricien qualifié. Ce produit est conçu pour une utilisation intérieure uniquement et n’est pas conçu ou approuvé pour une utilisation avec une ligne électrique ayant un voltage autre que 120 VCA, 60 Hz, monophasé. L’utilisation du VZW35-SN avec une ligne électrique non approuvée peut avoir des résultats dangereux.
Other Warnings: Risk of Fire, Electrical Shock & Burns
Autres avertissements: Risque d’incendie, de choc électrique et de brûlures
Recommended Installation Practices: Use only indoors or in an outdoor rated box. Turn off the circuit breaker. Installing this switch and module with the power on will expose you to dangerous voltages. Connect only copper or copper-clad wire to the switch or module.
To reduce the risk of overheating and possible damage to other equipment, do not install to control a receptacle, a motor-operated appliance, a fluorescent lighting fixture or a transformer supplied appliance and do not use the VZW35-SN load output to control no more than indicated, which is: 2.5 Amps (Resistive Load), No more than two (2) fans to the same switch, and use only with split-capacitor or shaded-pole ceiling fan motors (unless using for a bathroom exhaust fan to which the max load is 2.5A)
Dimming a lighting load (by connecting to the fan load wire), such as an LED, CFL, Incandescent or anything other than a ceiling or exhaust fan motor, could cause damage to the fan switch, the load bearing device, or both. To install your Fan Switch (VZM35-SN), you’ll need to identify the following four wires (NOTE: Neutral is not mandatory, but recommended):
Line: Usually black and can also be called the, “hot” or “live” and carries 120VAC electricity into the electrical box
Neutral*: Usually white and is commonly daisy chained from box to box, usually appearing as a white wire bundle.
Load: Usually black, blue or red
Ground: Bare copper wire or metal fixture (if grounded)
* Neutral is mandatory in certain installations. See the compatibility chart below.
If you are having difficulties identifying wires, please consult an electrician.
Pratiques d’installation recommandées: Utiliser uniquement à l’intérieur ou à l’extérieur dans une boîte adaptée aux conditions extérieures. Éteignez le disjoncteur. L’installation de cet interrupteur et de ce module alors que le courant est allumé vous exposera à des tensions dangereuses. Connectez uniquement un fil de cuivre ou gainé de cuivre au commutateur ou au module.
Pour réduire le risque de surchauffe et de dommages possibles à d’autres équipements, utilisez la sortie de charge VZM35-SN pour ne pas contrôler plus que ce qui est indiqué, à savoir : 2,5 A (charge résistive), pas plus de 2 ventilateurs sur le même interrupteur, et utilisez uniquement avec moteurs de ventilateur de plafond à condensateur divisé ou à pôles ombragés.
La gradation d’une charge d’éclairage (en se connectant au fil de charge du ventilateur), telle qu’une LED, une CFL, une incandescence ou tout autre chose qu’un moteur de ventilateur de plafond ou d’extraction, pourrait endommager l’interrupteur du ventilateur, le dispositif de support de charge ou les deux. Pour installer votre interrupteur de ventilateur (VZM35-SN), vous devrez identifier les quatre fils suivants (REMARQUE : le neutre n’est pas obligatoire, mais recommandé) :
Ligne: généralement noire et peut également être appelée « chaud » ou « sous tension » et transporte l’électricité 120 VCA dans le boîtier électrique
Neutre: habituellement blanc et connecté en série d’une boîte à l’autre, les fils sont habituellement attachés ensemble dans la boîte électrique
Charge: habituellement noire, bleue ou rouge
Mise à terre: fil de cuivre nu ou boîtier métallique (si celui-ci est mis à la terre)Si vous rencontrez des difficultés à identifier les fils, veuillez consulter un électricien.
Équipement médical: Veuillez ne pas utiliser cet interrupteur pour contrôler de l’équipement médical ou nécessaire à la survie. Les appareils Zigbee ne doivent jamais être utilisés pour contrôler la marche or l’arrêt d’équipement médical et/ou nécessaires à la survie.
Vocabulary
Before we go into actual steps, it’s important to be familiar with the vernacular used on the following pages. Please see below:
Line: This is your hot wire (120V) - aka: “live” wire
Load: This is the wire that runs from your fan switch to what you’re controlling (ie: exhaust or ceiling fan, etc)
Neutral: This is the wire that carries current back to the power source (you may not have this in your house)
Single-Pole: One switch controlling one or more load(s)
Multi-Way: Refers to 3-Way (2 switches, 1 load), 4-Way (3 switches, 1 load), or 5-Way setups (4 switches, 1 load)
Aux Switch: Refers to the Inovelli Aux Switch (inov.li/aux)
Step 1 - Determine Wiring Type
The first step is to determine how many switches control your load(s) (aka: light(s)).
Using the diagram below, please determine what your wiring type is and remember this selection :
Single-Pole: One switch controls one load (load may contain more than one light, etc).
Multi-Way: Two or more switches control one load (load may contain more than one light, etc). We will use the term, “multi-way” instead of 3-Way, 4-Way, 5-Way, etc as the programming of the switch is the same regardless.
Wiring Type (Circle One): Single Pole or Multi-Way
Step 2 - Determine Switch Layout
If you determined in Step #1 that your switch is single-pole, you can skip this step. This step is for multi-way setups only.
Using the diagram below, please determine what your wiring layout is and remember this selection :
Smart Switch + Aux Switch: One smart switch and one (or more) aux/add-on switch (Model #: AUX01 or inov.li/aux).
Smart Switch + Smart Switch: Two (or more) smart switches.
Switch Layout (Circle One): Aux, or Smart Switch(es)
Step 3 - AC Power Type
In this step, we will determine if you have a neutral wire, which is typically white and located in the back in your switch gang-box (typically in a bundle of wires tied together). Here are some signs you may have a neutral wire:
If your house was built in the mid-1980’s or later
If there is an outlet (receptacle) near the switch
If switches are in the same gang-box (regardless of the year your house was built)
See below for details on checking for a neutral wire.
AC Power Type (Circle One): Neutral or No Neutral
Step 4 - Compatibility Check
In this step, we will determine if your switch can be installed with your current wiring setup. If not, you can see some alternate solutions on how to accomplish compatibility.
Taking the answers you circled in Steps 1-3, please see the chart below to see if your switch is compatible with your setup.
Example: If you circled, “Multi-Way”, “Aux Switch” and “Neutral”, you will see that your wiring is compatible. However, if you circled, “Multi-Way”, “No Neutral” and “Smart Switch”, you will see that your wiring is not compatible and you will need to purchase an auxiliary switch (inov.li/aux).
For installations where no neutral wire is present, you will not have the ability to control the, “High” speed. Exhaust fans are not supported in non-neutral setups. If you are using an aux switch in a Multi-Way setup, special programming is required and instructions can be found here: Blue Series Fan Switch • Special Programming for Aux Switch in Non-Neutral Mode
Step 5 - Switch Installation
The last step is to physically install your switch. After you’ve determined your wiring type, switch layout, AC Power type and whether or not you have a compatible setup, it’s time to look at the wiring schematics and install your switch. Please move on to the section below that goes over the various wiring schematics and remember the choices from Steps 1-3 above when you're searching the schematics.
Wiring Schematics
Please see the following link to the wiring schematics for this switch: Blue Series Fan Switch Schematics
UL specifies the tightening torque for the screws to be 0.8 N.m (7.08 lbf-in).
Manual Setup (Optional)
PLEASE NOTE: We recommend you use your smart hub to change any parameters. However, if you are an electrician or do not have a smart hub and your switch is not working properly, you can follow the instructions below to manually program the switch.
If you plan on using your switch on an exhaust fan (ie: on/off only) and in a single-pole setting, you may skip this step. If you plan on using your switch for a ceiling fan (ie: 3-Speed) and/or in a multi-way setup, please continue.
Since this switch has so many different available configurations (exhaust, ceiling, smart, aux, neutral, non-neutral, etc), you may need to manually the switch to work manually by following the directions below.
Switch Configuration (Single-Pole or Multi-Way)
Use the button sequence below to adjust the mode of the switch according to your wiring configuration. The LED bar (D) will flash the associated color to indicate success.
Video Demonstrations
Video Demonstrations
Single-Pole
Multi-Way (Aux)
Switch Mode (Exhaust Fan, Ceiling Fan)
Use the button sequence below to adjust the mode of the switch according to the type of switch you want. The LED bar will flash the associated color to indicate success.
Video Demonstrations
Video Demonstrations
Exhaust Fan (On/Off Mode)
Ceiling Fan (3-Speed Mode)
Smart Fan Mode
Smart Fan Mode is used if 2+ Smart Switches are on the same circuit.
Hub/Gateway Setup
The Inovelli smart switch can be used on various hub platforms such as: SmartThings, Home Assistant - ZHA, Home Assistant - Zigbee2MQTT, Hubitat, and Amazon Echo. If you'd like specific instructions on how to setup this switch on your hub's platform, please click the links below to be taken to them:
If you don't see your hub listed above, please go to the, "Quick Setup & Inclusion" section for generic instructions.
Advanced Features
The advanced features shown below are what is built into the switch firmware, and may or may not be supported by your hub/ gateway. We’ve confirmed they’re supported on SmartThings, Hubitat, and Home Assistant (ZHA and Z-Wave2MQTT).
These switches are packed with a ton of amazing features, which include scene control (multi-tap), animated notifications, smart bulb mode, energy monitoring, and approximately 60 different parameters to customize your switch.
Switch Parameters
To see the list of parameters on this switch, please click on the following link: Blue Series Fan Switch Parameters
All parameters can be changed via your hub if your hub supports parameter changes (most do). If your hub does not support parameter changes, or you do not have access to your hub, you can change some parameters directly from the switch.
Animated Notifications
Animated Notifications can be setup to notify you of certain events. Some common examples are:
Switch LED Bar pulses orange if the garage door is left open past 10pm
Switch LED Bar turns red if the alarm system is armed
Switch LED Bar chases green at 10am to remind you to take your medicine
To see examples of the various notifications, check out our Toolbox located here and select the Fan Switch (VZM35-SN) under, "Zigbee" and click the dropdown where it says, "Effect": https://inovelliusa.github.io/inovelli-switch-toolbox/
Setup instructions are different for each hub, so we've created instructions for the following hubs:
Scene Control
Scene control allows you to multi-tap your switch to activate certain scenes. Some common examples are:
Double-Tap up to activate a movie scene where multiple smart lights turn on to a certain dim level and color
Double-Tap down to activate a bedtime scene where all your lights turn off, doors lock, and temperature gets set to 68
Triple-Tap the configuration/favorites button to lock all your doors and shut the garage door
Setup instructions are different for each hub, so we've created instructions for the following hubs:
Smart Fan Mode
Smart Fan Mode is used to maintain power to your smart fans if you have them wired to your smart switch. Said differently, smart fans require constant power to them and with traditional light switches (non-smart), if you turn the light switch off, power is cut to the smart fan and they are unable to communicate with the hub and fall offline. By using Smart Fan Mode, you will maintain constant power to the smart fan and use virtual commands from the switch to turn on/off/change speeds of your smart fan.
Setup instructions are different for each hub, so we've created instructions for the following hubs:
Zigbee Binding
Zigbee Bindings are used to "bind" two or more Zigbee devices together. The benefit is that when two Zigbee devices are bound together, they no longer need the hub to communicate with each other (they will still report status to the hub). This is important because if your hub goes offline, the bound Zigbee devices will still communicate. Some common examples are:
2+ Zigbee switches bound together to create a virtual multi-way setup (like if you have a light switch at the top of your basement stairs and another one at the bottom but they are on different circuits, you can now associate them together so that when one turns on, so does the other)
Zigbee switch to Zigbee fan
Setup instructions are different for each hub, so we've created instructions for the following hubs:
Product & Contact Info
Product Info / Specs
Name: Smart Fan Switch (Ceiling or Exhaust)
SKU #: VZM35-SN
Power: 120V AC, 60Hz Signal
(Frequency): 2.4 GHz
Operating Temperature Range: 32-95° F (0-35° C)
Maximum Load (Amps): 2.5 Amps - No more than two identical fans to the switch. Not to exceed 2.5A resistive load.
Not rated for lighting (LED, CFL, Incandescent, etc).
Range: Up to 100 meters line of sight between the Wireless Controller (HUB) and the closest Zigbee Repeater.
Certifications: ETL Listed (#E5027290), FCC/IC & Zigbee Certified
For indoor use. Specifications subject to change without notice due to continuing product improvement.
Compatible Hubs
While most Z-Wave enabled hubs are compatible with the Blue Series Fan Switch, the hubs below have been tested and verified to work. If you do not see your hub listed, please reach out prior to purchase.
Samsung/Aeotec SmartThings (V1, V2, V3 - SmartThings Station is not compatible)
Hubitat (C4, C5, C7, C8)
Home Assistant (ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT)
Amazon Echo (Full List Here: Amazon Echo Compatibility Chart)
Company Info / Warranty
If you run into any issues, feel free to reach out to us. We typically answer tickets within 24-48 hours and are staffed by actual smart home owners.
All Inovelli products come with a one (1) year warranty (defined as 365 days). This warranty protects you from breakdowns in the material or workmanship under normal use. This warranty is limited in a couple areas. Purchases must be made from Inovelli or an authorized reseller. The product should be used in the manner directed in the instructions. The product must only be used and/or installed in the United States or Canada.
For full warranty info, please visit: inov.li/warranty
Project Zephyr
This project was Inovelli’s second Zigbee product which stemmed from the success of our 2-1 Switch launched in late 2022. We chose the name Zephyr because it means, “a soft gentle breeze” which sounds awesome on a hot, summer day.
As we always do, we relied heavily on our amazing community who quickly grasped onto this project and helped us along the way. In fact, many of the signatures you see on the next page are community members, who’ve stepped up and helped develop and beta tested this product with us. We believe the products should be built by people who actually use them not by some corporate project manager.
To see the origin of this project, as well as the journey scan the code or visit: Project Zephyr
Check out our Project Zephyr Merch Line!
PDF Copy of the Manual
(Keep in mind this may be out of date)