X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: jbrandon on December 12, 2011, 02:47:24 PM

Title: Wiring for the X10 Pro SPS3
Post by: jbrandon on December 12, 2011, 02:47:24 PM
I am trying to install a X10 Pro XPS3 and companion switch in a 3-way configuration but for some reason I cannot make it work.  The best I can do is to get the light to flash when either switch is pressed.  Could it be the switch is bad?  I do here a click when either switch is pressed, I guess it is a relay but the light will flash but not stay on.

One box has black, white and red, the other has black, black and red.  Per instructions I have connected the black to Live, white to Neutral and the red to Control on the master.  The other has black to Live, black to Live and red to Control.

Any suggestions as to how to properly wire this switch using the above description of what wires I have in the box.  

The nomenclature is confusing me somewhat.  I'm not sure what they mean by Live, I guess it is line, neutral makes since,  Control is red or is it load.
Title: Re: Wiring for the X10 Pro SPS3
Post by: Brian H on December 12, 2011, 02:52:41 PM
Can you safely use a test meter?
It sounds like you have the wiring incorrect.
In a three way switch setup white could be part of the travelers between the switches and not Neutral.
Title: Re: Wiring for the X10 Pro SPS3
Post by: dave w on December 12, 2011, 03:21:49 PM
It isn't an LED bulb is it? LED bulb may not draw enough current to keep the triac in the XPS3 in conduction.
Title: Re: Wiring for the X10 Pro SPS3
Post by: jbrandon on December 12, 2011, 09:39:51 PM
Yes and have identified both hot and neutral in the one box which I believe is the "master".  I believe the red is the traveler from both switches to the fixture, but I have to verified this in the light fixture its self, I'll try to do that tomorrow.  I did switch the wires around (except the red) and did  get to the point where it would flash but not stay on.  I am looking at a wiring diagram for a three way switch and it shows the red going from switch to switch not the light.  Mine is wired exactly this way.

I am still concerned about the momentary flash and it not staying on.  As I stated before, I do hear a relay click...
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.electrical-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/3-way-switch.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.electrical-online.com/3waydiagram/&h=419&w=800&sz=49&tbnid=Asu0d1qIpMhJ_M:&tbnh=73&tbnw=140&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dthree%2Bway%2Blight%2Bswitch%2Bwiring%2Bdiagram%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=three+way+light+switch+wiring+diagram&docid=ShpcSUozAkdfJM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aLzmTvYU5vLZBaLRmdUI&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ9QEwAA (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.electrical-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/3-way-switch.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.electrical-online.com/3waydiagram/&h=419&w=800&sz=49&tbnid=Asu0d1qIpMhJ_M:&tbnh=73&tbnw=140&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dthree%2Bway%2Blight%2Bswitch%2Bwiring%2Bdiagram%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=three+way+light+switch+wiring+diagram&docid=ShpcSUozAkdfJM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aLzmTvYU5vLZBaLRmdUI&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ9QEwAA)
Can you safely use a test meter?
It sounds like you have the wiring incorrect.
In a three way switch setup white could be part of the travelers between the switches and not Neutral.

Title: Re: Wiring for the X10 Pro SPS3
Post by: jbrandon on December 12, 2011, 09:43:00 PM
No LED, but a fluorescent 20W ceiling fixture.  The enclosed instructions says the SPX3 should be able to handle this type of fixture.

It isn't an LED bulb is it? LED bulb may not draw enough current to keep the triac in the XPS3 in conduction.
Title: Re: Wiring for the X10 Pro SPS3
Post by: dave w on December 13, 2011, 08:37:04 AM
No LED, but a fluorescent 20W ceiling fixture.  The enclosed instructions says the SPX3 should be able to handle this type of fixture.

Sorry, you said XPS and I was thinking XPD. I'll go back to sleep now.