[Another newsgroup User followed up with: I agree with everything Larry says with one additional recommendation. Instead of the coupler, use an ACT234 Signal Repeater/Coupler. Rather than just coupling it repeates the signals at a higher level and will provide better coverage throughout the home.]
- Install a whole house surge suppresser at the breaker box. Use one for each feed if you have more than one. Leviton and others make them that are compatible with X10. You will need an empty 220v breaker slot.
- Install a "phase" coupler at the breaker box. You will need an empty 220v breaker slot for this as well.
(Hire an electrician for these two steps if you are not comfortable doing this type of work. This is nothing to fool around with.)[/size]
- Buy an ELK ESM X10 meter.
- Buy a handful of X10 filters. The 5 amp ones are usually enough but if you have a lot on one strip use the 15 amp ones.
- Put the filters on all of your computers, TV's, video and audio equipment. If you have any low voltage halogen lights, like puck lights, for under cabinet, in nooks, etc., use one of the wire-in filters to isolate them. They are great noise generators.
- Build a list of ALL of your circuits.
- Put your X10 controller in a "test" mode or get your partner to keep pressing the controller buttons and walk around and measure the signal level at every circuit. Use a screw in lamp plug to check out lighting circuits. When you are doing this you should have a good signal without any noise.
- Do the same thing without any X10 signals. The Elk meter should be dark. Any indication is a noise problem. You will then have to figure out what is causing it. Do things like start the Heat/AC, appliances, turn off breakers, etc., until you find it. I have never had any trouble with appliances, AC, etc., generating noise and since they are always on separate circuits anyway they should not be a problem but something is causing your problem.
- Use a computer based controller that will log valid X10 activity. That will tell you if you have problems with neighbors, or things like the X10 RF modules that have a set of known problems. If you have neighbor problems then you will have to use a X10 filter on your feed.
- Don't use house code A or M.
... if you are a tinkerer you can make filters from surplus $3 line filters and extension cords. Four bucks a pop makes extensive filtering less painful....Would you post a parts list / diagram? I've been lucky so far to not need any filters but wouldn't mind having a few around just in case. (I currently have over 6 UPS units in active use as well as assorted other electronic equipment so I figure it's just a matter of time.)
...Yeah, but steven r, tell me how to automate any cheaper?Well that's just it you really can't automate any cheaper. For the money, X10 is the best home automation deal out there. So what if it's not really "Plug and Play". I just pity the newbies that may not know what their getting into. After you've been using X10 for awhile you begin to understand to value of paying a little extra for more durable parts. e.g. As my old switches die, I plan to replace them with ones that use a neutral wire.
... if you are a tinkerer you can make filters from surplus $3 line filters and extension cords. Four bucks a pop makes extensive filtering less painful....Would you post a parts list / diagram? I've been lucky so far to not need any filters but wouldn't mind having a few around just in case. (I currently have over 6 UPS units in active use as well as assorted other electronic equipment so I figure it's just a matter of time.)
...Sure go here: http://www.meci.com/product_info.php/cPath/396/products_id/5600104...Thanks!
...If you are a tinkerer, you won't need a diagram...it's too simple....
...buy a bunch...Wow at only $1.95 each with a minimum order of $20. I guess I will be buying at least 11 of them. Maybe I should see if they have any thing else I need.
...MECI has many types of line filters, the 560-0104 work very well (especially effective on switching power supply noise) and they are good for 20 amps. Not all the line filters MECI has work as well.
Do you think I could get an outlet and the filter into an outlet box?
..I wish it showed a spec sheet telling what frequency range it attenuates and how much...Me too but for $1.95 what can you expect. If they've worked for you that's enough for me. I suppose if one weren't enough filtering, you could pair a couple of them.
I had not even thought about the minimum order limit when posting the URL. Sorry to all.No need for an apology. This site has so many interesting things I find it hard to believe that anyone would have trouble meeting the minimum. Dave W, If you have other links that are this good please pass them along.
...This site has so many interesting things I find it hard to believe that anyone would have trouble meeting the minimum. Dave W, If you have other links that are this good please pass them along...Ditto to that.
I wasn't able to locate the manufacturer's part number (Cornell-Dublier Mfg P/N: APFV20316) provided for this line filter by MECI on the Cornell-Dubilier website (http://www.cde.com) so it's difficult to judge whether it would help, hurt. or do nothing insofar as X10 signals are concerned. Perhaps someone else will have better luck.
OK JimC and steven rThanks! I emailed www.goldmine-elec.com/default.htm with a question and they got back to me in less than 30 minutes! That's good customer service! They've earned bonus points with me for that!
In no particular order, my favorite places ;-)
http://www.allelectronics.com/
http://www.goldmine-elec.com/default.htm
http://www.meci.com/
http://www.sciplus.com/
http://www.discovercircuits.com/
http://www.hvwtech.com/
...I have a question, the cords have a ground wire and the filters look like they only have two connects. Do I just not cut the ground wire when I splice in the filter?...Actually the picture looks like it does have a ground point!
...I've noticed that some have ordered the filters. Has anyone installed them as yet ?...dave w has been using them for awhile. I made an order based on his earlier post in this discussion. Haven't received mine yet.
While they can be used with a two wire cord, all of my UPS boxes (I currently have 6 in use.) have grounded plugs and I don't want to defeat their grounding.
...I wouldn't bother using these filters with your UPSes. Most if not all UPSes have noise traps similar to these filters and shoudl do a good job of filtering out the noise. The problem with noise traps is that they will absorb the X10 signal. What you really need is a noise block not a noise trap.Argh... Am I getting the wrong thing? At least two of my UPS units are generating noise or otherwise sucking my X10 signal. It was my understanding that this is how dave w used his.
From what dave w said "YES the URL MECI filter I referenced, stops X10 in its tracks. You need to place the filter AT the noise source with any X10 control between the line and the filter.". I don't anticipate have a problem. I am planning to use these for a couple of TV's and stereo that doesn't have any kind of X10 control. So, I imagine plugging them in and then plugging the TV's & stereo into them would be OK.
Am I wrong ? If I am, please let me know so that I can avoid any problems.
I'm a bit rusty on my electronic theory. How do blocks and filters work? Are they one way. i.e. Do filters/blocks in one direction? If so what happens if you reverse them.
I haven't seen the filters yet but dave w described them as having "in" and "out" sides. Why would a bi-directional filter need an "in" and an "out"?...Do filters/blocks in one direction? If so what happens if you reverse them....They are bi-directional....
...Internally the can is a low pass, L-C, PI filter. Each line has a series inductor...
...a synapse just fired and I remember something (any applause in recognition of this unusual feat is appreciated)....Clap, clap and thanks for the update.
...They seem to work equally well whether grounded or not, which is a hint as to how much signal sucking (or shunting the signal to ground) could be taking place....So I'll be fine just wiring the neutral and live wires and leaving the grounded wire uncut?
[So I'll be fine just wiring the neutral and live wires and leaving the grounded wire uncut?
o--------+------mmmmm-------+--------+---------+------mmmmm------+-----------o
L ! / ! ! = / ! L
I ! / ! > ! / ! O
N o--G = / = < +--G / = A
E ! / ! > ! / ! D
! / ! ! = / !
o--------+------mmmmm-------+--------+---------+------mmmmm------+-----------o
o - connecting point on outside of filter
! - vertical connecting wire
mmm - coil
G - ground
= - cap
>
< - resister
>
Unfortunately, this will be a pretty good X10 signal sucker.