Plug'N Power Products General Troubleshooting/Q&A X-10 PRO Troubleshooting Faxback Doc. # 32137 The most commonly encountered problem with systems which use the existing house wiring to transmit signals is that the signals are received by some Receiver Modules but not by others i.e. the Controller controls some lights but not others or controls some lights intermittently. This can sometimes happen when the Module to be controlled is on the opposite phase of the house wiring to the phase which the Controller is connected to. It is therefore suggested that the Controller and all Modules to be controlled by it should preferably be on the same phase, see Figure 1 illustrated in Faxback Doc.#18814, Phases. Where this is not possible the problem can be solved by fitting a coupling capacitor across the two phases of the house wiring to couple the signal from one phase to the other. Phase Coupling In most cases the signals transmitted by the Controller will control any Module plugged in anywhere in the house. The signal level transmitted is usually in the order of 4 to 5 volts but varies with line impedance and loading (Controller plugged in next to a TV set etc.) However, the amplitude of signal required to operate a Module is only 50 millivolts (0.05 volts) so there is enough tolerance in the transmit/receive ratio to allow for considerable signal attenuation. Most signal attenuation occurs when the signal has to "jump the phases". Most houses are wired such that 220V (240V) is brought into the breaker panel and then split into 2 phases of 110V (120V) each. The signals from the Controller are transmitted onto one phase and have to travel all the way out to the pole transformer to couple across to the other phase. The amplitude of signal on the "other" phase can therefore be greatly reduced. Signals can be "coupled" to the other phase by installing a 0.1 microfarad 600VDC capacitor across the two phases in the panel, i.e. by connecting the capacitor across any 220V breaker, see Figure 2 illustrated in Faxback Doc.#18814, Phases. If Modules Turn On By Themselves When They Shouldn't: If it is suspected that Modules have turned on by themselves, the first step should be to change the Housecode on the Controller and all of the Modules. It is possible that a neighbor has the same system or another compatible system and if both houses are on the same pole transformer, it is possible for signals to couple from one house to another. If the problem persists, it is possible that the Controller or the Modules have been triggered by a "spike" on the power line. Although this should be a rare occurrence it may help to fit a signal bridge (Cat. No. 610-6299, CMC), have a electrician install a 0.01 microfarad 2kV capacitor (Cat. No. 272-0160), or fit a filter on each phase in the breaker panel such as Cat. No. 610-2687CMC, Noise Blocker, see Figure 3 illustrated in Faxback Doc. #18814, Phases. If you are certain of the noise source, you could plug the offending appliance into a interference filter such as Cat. No.610-6288 CMC Noise Filter. If Modules turn on spuriously, it is also possible that the Modules may have been triggered by a 120V AC power "dip" or "brown out". Lamp Modules and Appliance Modules have a feature called "local control", This feature lets you turn the Modules on by turning the power switch on the light or appliance off and then on again. There is a circuit in the Module which detects this change in load and interprets it as a request to turn on. This "local control" circuit by design is very sensitive and can therefore sometimes see a momentary dip in AC power as a change in the load and therefore "think" it has been told to turn on. If this problem is suspected it is recommended that the local control feature be disabled. Disabling The Local Control Features It is possible to disable the local control feature of the Appliance Module by plugging a "cube tap" (Cat. No. 610-2714)into the Module so that two items can be plugged into the same Module. Then, plug a 7 1/2 watt night light into one of the receptacles of the cube tap and the appliance you want to control into the other. When the Module is on, the appliance and the night light will be on. When the Module is off, the appliance and the night light will be off. Now, even if you operate the power switch on the appliance, the night light is always "in circuit" so the Appliance Module's local control circuit is disabled. TV Noise Certain brands of TV can generate noise and superimpose it on the power line. In most cases this kind of noise will not cause a problem. If however it is determined that the TV is causing a problem (which can be determined by unplugging the TV to see if the problem goes away) it is suggested that the TV be plugged into a filter to isolate it from the AC line. The kind of filter used to protect a TV from interference from power drills etc. is recommended (Cat. No. 150-1111 from Radio Shack for example). This filter may also help to isolate the load (or internal capacitance) of the TV from the AC line if it is found that the TV is attenuating signals from your Controller(s). Wireless Intercoms Intercom systems which use the house wiring to transmit can "block out" X-10 transmissions while the intercom is left in the permanent transmit (talk) mode. Unfortunately there is no simple solution to this problem but if the Controller and all the Modules are on one phase the first thing to try would be to change them all to the other phase. It has been found that the Noise Block filter (Cat. No. 610-6287) can in some cases attenuate signals from a neighbor's intercom sufficiently enough to allow the Controller's signals to be received by the X-10 Modules. It is NOT possible to have a wireless intercom and a Controller operating in the same house. Figure 3 illustrated in Faxback Doc.#18814, Phases, shows how the filter should be connected. SOME DON'TS DON'T Use a Wall Switch Module (Cat. No. 610-2682) to control a fan or any kind of appliance. Don't use a Wall Switch Module to control a Fluorescent light unless designated for such use (such as the 610-6291 CMC). This could cause damage to the Module and/or the light/appliance. DON'T Use a Wall Switch Module to control an outlet unless you are sure no one will plug an appliance (a vacuum cleaner for example) into the outlet. See above. DON'T Use a Lamp Module to control a fan or any kind of appliance. Only use those Lamp Modules with fluorescent light that are labeled for such use (such as Cat. No. 610-6375 CMC). DON'T Use a Lamp Module or a Wall Switch Module to control a lamp or fixture which already has a dimmer on it. DON'T Use a module to control something which would be dangerous if it were turned on remotely while unattended e.g. an empty coffee pot, an electric fan with poorly protected blades etc. DON'T Use a Wall Switch Module for lamps less than 60 watts. DON'T Leave a wireless intercom or baby monitor in the permanent transmit (or talk) mode, its transmissions could "block out" X-10 transmissions. DON'T Exceed the rating of the modules, these are: Lamp Module (610-2682) - 300 watts max. incandescent only. Lamp Module (610-6291 - for fluorescent lighting, switch-controlled CMC) appliances, or high-wattage incandescent lighting where dimming not required. 15 Amp. Wall Switch Module (610-6376)- 500 watts max. 60 watts min. incandescent only. Wall Switch Module (610-6375 - can be mounted at a fluorescent fixture CMC) by means of adhesive strips. 4Amp. Appliance Module (610-2681)- for appliances rated 15 Amp. resistive (such as coffee pots) or 1/3 H.P. motor load, or 400 watts for TV sets or 500 watts for lamps. 220V Heavy Duty Appliance Module (610-2668) - plugs into a regular 22V 15A or 20A outlet and will control any 220V appliance rated at 15A or less. 220V Heavy Duty Appliance Module (610-2669) - plugs into a regular 220V 20A outlet and will control any 220V appliance rated at 20A or less. Wall Switch and Lamp Module - For safety: Don't use with fluorescent, (610-2683 and 610-2682) Mercury, Sodium or Low Voltage lights. Use for incandescent lights only. NO appliances such as fans etc. Don't use to control a lamp or fixture which already has a dimmer on it. Don't use a Wall Switch Module to control an outlet unless you are sure no one will plug an appliance into the outlet. This could damage the Wall Switch Module and/or the appliance and could cause a safety hazard. The 610-2683 Wall Switch is rated for lights up to 300 watts max and 60 watts min. The 610-2682 lamp module is rated for up to 500 watts max. Both units respond to "All Lights On" and "All Units Off." (CS 1/4/96)