Remote light switches and metal boxes

[75gmck25]

I'd like to add a couple remote light switches to my detached garage, so that I can turn on the lights (all LED) from the house. I already have a Samsung hub that supports Z-Wave and Zigbee, and I think the garage is within range. However, all the remote switches seem to have a receiver that mounts inside the receptacle box, and all the boxes in my garage are metal. Does this mean they will block the RF signal, or will they still work?

Bruce

 

[PhysicsDude]

I have 2 Zwave switches mounted in a metal 4square box with industrial cover and it works fine, but its less than 20 feet from another Zwave switch.

I install a lot of wireless products professionally (mostly 900mhz stuff - same range as ZWAVE), and in my experience, mounting transmitters/receivers in metal boxes will work, but you get HALF the range, pretty reliably. I think you'll get somewhere between 50-75ft of range with the switch in a metal box. That's just my gut feel.

 

[Git]

I have a Z wave 'outdoor module' in a stainless steel box with my outdoor light transformer and it works great. Z wave is considered a 'mesh network' - the more devices you have, the better it works since they can relay the signal.

Try it -if your having problems you could always try an extender like this one that plugs into an outlet

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6CKJXC/?tag=atomicindus08-20