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Blue Series Fan Switch • Setup Instructions • Amazon Echo
Blue Series Fan Switch • Setup Instructions • Amazon Echo

Setup and Pairing instructions for the Inovelli Blue Series Fan Switch (VZM35-SN) on your Zigbee enabled Amazon Echo

Eric Hines avatar
Written by Eric Hines
Updated over a year ago

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).

This is the digital setup instructions for the Blue Series Smart Fan Switch (Exhaust or Ceiling) on the Hubitat platform.


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 Instructions

Follow these if you have already installed the Fan switch before and are just looking for some quick pairing instructions. If this is your first time installing the Fan switch, please skip this section and work your way through the various sections below starting with the Prerequisites.

This section assumes the following:

  1. You’ve wired the switch and it works manually

Let’s begin:

  1. Make sure your switch LED is lit up blue

  2. Open up your Amazon Alexa App and click on the, “Devices” tab

  3. Click the, "+" at the top right of your screen and select, “Add Device”

  4. Then click on, "Switch" under, "Which device would you like to set up?"

  5. Next, on the, "What brand is your switch?" scroll down to the bottom and select, "Other" (Do not select, "Inovelli")

  6. Click on, "Zigbee" on the, "Which logo is on your device"

  7. Click on, "Start Zigbee Pairing"

  8. Finally, click on, "Discover Devices"

  9. Make sure your switch LED is pulsing blue as shown in Video #1 – if it’s not, press the config/favorite button three (3) times as shown in Video #2

  10. Your Echo should then search for, find and let you know that a switch was found and connected

  11. Feel free to add your device to a group

Video #1 & Video #2

Video #1: Switch Already Pulsing Blue

Video #2: Press config/favorites button to initiate the LED pulsing blue

If your LED bar refuses to pulse blue, then please hold down on the top of the paddle as well as the config/favorites button for approximately 20 seconds until the LED Bar turns Red and then let go. The LED Bar will blink red three times to confirm as shown in the video below.

Video Demonstration

NOTE: Video sped up to save time/space

IMPORTANT: The Amazon Alexa app has no way of changing the switch from an Exhaust Fan to a Ceiling Fan so you will have to do it manually at the switch.


Amazon Echo Limitations

Amazon Echo is a fantastic hub that offers a ton of features along with voice control and is backed by an amazing company.

With that said, there are some limitations with the hub that you should be made aware of.

  1. There is no way to access the advanced features on your switch from the Alexa app (ie: parameters, animated notifications, scene control, etc) and you will only be able to change select parameters locally at the switch

  2. You will have to manually change the switch from an Exhaust Switch to a Ceiling Fan switch and vice versa

  3. You will still be able to control the LED Bar when the switch is in Exhaust Fan mode (other platforms, the LED Bar only shows on/off like it should)

  4. You will not be able to control speed control via voice


Installation Instructions

Before setting up your switch within the Alexa app, you will have to manually install your switch in the wall and have it powered up. In order to do that, you (or your licensed electrician) will need to follow our Wiring Instructions which can be found below:


Pairing Instructions

Please follow the instructions below to include/pair your Blue Series Fan Switch

  1. Open your Amazon Alexa App and go to the, "Devices" tab at the bottom

  2. Click on, "Add Device"

  3. Click on, "Switch" on the, "Which device would you like to set up?" page

  4. On the, "What brand is your switch?", scroll down and click on, "Other" (do not click on, "Inovelli")

  5. On the, "Which logo is on your device?" page, click on, "Zigbee"

  6. Finally, click on, "Discover Devices"

  7. While Alexa is scanning, make sure your switch LED is pulsing blue as shown in Video #1 – if it’s not, press the config/favorite button three (3) times as shown in Video #2. The LED Bar should start pulsing blue and, if successfully paired to Alexa, it will briefly turn green

    Video #1: Switch Already Pulsing Blue

    Video #2: Press config/favorites button to initiate the LED pulsing blue

  8. In addition, if successful, Alexa will let you know it found and connected a device

  9. Click on, "Set Up Device" and, optionally, add your switch to a group

Once your switch is successfully paired, check to make sure you have basic functionality of your switch by turning it on/off (if you are going to be using it for a ceiling fan, please move to the, "Switch Configuration" section below).

NOTE: By default the switch is setup for Exhaust Fans so it will only turn On/Off (this means you will not be able to adjust the speed of your Ceiling Fan). This is for safety reasons. If you'd like to change your switch to operate a Ceiling Fan, then please move to the Switch Configuration section below.


Switch Configuration

In this section, we will help you change your switch mode (ie: Exhaust or Ceiling) and type (Single-Pole or 3-Way Aux). As noted above, because the Amazon Alexa app is limited in what it can do, we will have to change these settings manually at the switch itself.

If you are trying to setup your switch in Smart Fan Mode, please still select the Switch Mode and Type from the below instructions, and then follow the directions to setup Smart Bulb Mode

Switch Mode - Exhaust Fan

By default, your Blue Series 2-1 Switch is set to be an Exhaust Fan switch and will only turn On/Off (ie: there is no speed control). If this is how you intend to use the switch, you can skip this step. We're just going to show you how to change it to an Exhaust Fan for reference.

To put your Blue Series Fan Switch in Exhaust Fan (On/Off) Mode, hold down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button three (3) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid red (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has changed to an Exhaust Fan switch.

Video Demonstration

Switch Mode - Ceiling Fan

By default, your Blue Series 2-1 Switch is set to be an Exhaust Fan switch and will only turn On/Off (ie: there is no speed control). If you'd like to change your switch to control a Ceiling Fan, then please follow the directions below.

To put your Blue Series Fan Switch in Ceiling Fan (3-Speed) Mode, hold down on the bottom part of the paddle (off) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button three (3) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid orange (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has changed to a Dimmer switch.

Video Demonstration

Switch Type - Single-Pole

By default, your Blue Series 2-1 Switch is set to be installed in a Single-Pole setup (ie: one switch controls one load). If this is how you intend to use the switch, you can skip this step. We're just going to show you how to change it to a multi-way (2+ switches controlling a load) with an aux switch for reference.

To have your Blue Series Fan Switch work as a Single-Pole switch, hold down on the bottom part of the paddle (off) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button five (5) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid violet (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Single-Pole Mode.

Switch Type - Multi-Way (Aux)

By default, your Blue Series 2-1 Switch is set to be installed in a Single-Pole setup (ie: one switch controls one load). If you'd like to change your switch to work in a multi-way setup with an auxiliary switch, then please follow the directions below.

To have your Blue Series Fan Switch work with an Auxiliary (Add-On) switch in a multi-way (3-Way) setting, hold down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button five (5) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid white (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled 3-Way + Aux Switch Mode.

Video Demonstration

NOTE: If you have your switch installed in a non-neutral setting, you will also have to manually program your switch to work with your aux switch. To do this, please follow the directions found here: Blue Series Fan Switch • Special Programming for Aux Switch in Non-Neutral Mode


Advanced Feature Setup

This switch is packed with features and most of them come directly from this community. They've been debated back and forth, added to wishlists, and talked about over the course of 4+ years.

While the advanced features are built into the light switch firmware, they unfortunately are not recognized by the Alexa platform at this time. The only advanced feature Alexa supports is, "Smart Bulb Mode" which is discussed more below.

Smart Bulb Mode

Smart Bulb Mode is a special mode that allows you to use your Inovelli smart switch to control smart bulbs. Rather than cutting power to your smart bulbs, Smart Bulb Mode tells the switch to send a digital signal to your bulbs or your hub to turn on/off or dim.

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