I just came across an article in an e-zine called "The IOTPad" (https://theiotpad.com/?s=Lutron+repeater), which I think contains a number of confusing and incorrect statements about Caseta switches and repeaters. The focus of the article was the Caseta Repeater (PD-REP-WH), but after describing very generally that device, the author then included a FAQ section which I believe contains some very questionable information.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do Lutron Caseta switches act as repeaters?
A: Yes, Lutron Caseta switches act as wireless repeaters to extend the range of Lutron's Clear Connect wireless technology, helping to create a more reliable and robust network for your smart home devices.
Q: How do I extend my Lutron Caseta [network]?
A: To extend your Lutron Caseta newtwork, you can add a Lutron Caseta Wireless Repeater to your system, which will help to boost the range and signal strength of your wireless network. Additionally, you can also strategically place your Caseta devices to optimize coverage throughout your home."
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I've highlighted some of the more questionable statements.
First, everything I've read about Lutron switches in general is that they do not form a "mesh" sort of network, and do not act as repeaters. Only the PD-3PCL-WH Caseta Plug in Lamp Dimmer switch can function as a repeater, and only one is allowed to act as a repeater per system at a time (you can have more than one such plug-in dimmer on the network but only one of them will act as a repeater).
So is the author of the article simply mistaken, or do Caseta switches actually "act as repeaters"?
Second, I can find no information whatsoever anywhere that supports the statement that adding a Caseta repeater-- whether the PD-3PCL-WH plug-in module, or the dedicated repeater (PD-REP-WH)-- will actually "boost...signal" of Clear Connect. If the Caseta repeater acts like any other "repeater" of a wireless signal, it wouldn't actually "boost" the signal; instead it would because of backhaul overhead, actually reduce the throughput, because it technically "halves" the original signal that it is repeating. Can someone from Caseta confirm how the repeater actually functions in this regard? I realize that the use case for Clear Connect is a bit different than comparing a repeated wifi signal that is used, for example in streaming of video, where a sustained throughput may be much more critical than the very short burst signals that are probably involved in turning a light on or off or dimming it, but still, the statement about "boosting" signal, doesn't seem to make much sense.
Lastly, I suppose if one is going to use a Caseta repeater, that one can, and probably should place the repeater "strategically". But that said, this author seems to suggest that one can place other Caseta switches "strategically" around one's house to "optimize coverage" and that just doesn't make any sense because in most homes, I would assume the majority of switches are in-wall dimmers and on/off switches, and those simply go where they go, i.e., you can't really place them "strategically."
Picos, on the other hand, sure...you can vastly improve coverage and reliability, as well as switching and dimming options. But that's not what the author was writing about. And even Picos don't increase coverage of Clear Connect device communication with the system, do they?
Anyway, just thought I would share this and see if anyone from Lutron has any thoughts about the info in the referenced article to share.