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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: 2006x10 on October 22, 2006, 07:37:55 AM

Title: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: 2006x10 on October 22, 2006, 07:37:55 AM

I just installed a few appliance modules AM12W and AD10 for my lighting automation. I also installed a AM12W (to a 230Vac relay) for my motor driven gate control. The lighting controls worked well, but the relay for the gate kept buzzing when AM12W was at "OFF" position.

The connection to the relay:
Brown wire was connected to "L", black wire to the relay coil, blue wire to "N". The other terminal of the relay coil was connected to "N".

The problem:
The relay kept buzzing when the AM12W was at "OFF" position.

When AM12W was at "ON", the relay operated correctly.

Anyone knows whether the AM12W leaks some voltages to the relay? I changed a AM12W, the relay behaved the same. Possible to suggest a workable connection?

I did try with a UM7206, but it did not work with my DSC security system.

Thanks for the help.

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: Dan Lawrence on October 22, 2006, 09:36:10 AM

You are not in the United States or Canada, are you?  Both the AM12W and the AD10 are modules for Europe and the rest of the world., not for US/Canada use.

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: 2006x10 on October 22, 2006, 10:14:27 AM

I am living in Singapore/Malaysia. The power system here is the same as the system in UK.

I saw some posts elsewhere talking about current sensing in appliance module and the method to disable the feature. Any idea whether current sensing can be disabled for AM12W?

Thanks.

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: Charles Sullivan on October 22, 2006, 10:18:57 AM

According to the Marmitek (http://www.marmitek.com) FAQ:

   Product: AM12 Appliance / Switch Module Art. nr. 08915
   Question: Can I switch off the auto-senso function?
   Answer:
   You can do this by loosening pin 7 of the IC. Attention: this will forfeit your guarantee.
   Module with a production code higher than 04Dxx don't have Auto-sense. The label will mention "Low energy lamp compatible"

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: KDR on October 22, 2006, 10:23:15 AM

Take a look here http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm (http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm) there is info on mods for appliance modules. You may have to take a look inside to see if it is the same or not. Its a start ;D

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: 2006x10 on October 22, 2006, 10:54:31 AM

Quote:
   You can do this by loosening pin 7 of the IC. Attention: this will forfeit your guarantee.
   Module with a production code higher than 04Dxx don't have Auto-sense. The label will mention "Low energy lamp compatible" 
 Unquote:
   
Thanks for the info. The production code on my AM12W in question is 9B07. I do have a few with production code greater than 04Dxx. I will try to swap 1 to see the outcome.
 
Thanks for your help.

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: 2006x10 on October 22, 2006, 10:58:43 AM

Quote:
Take a look here http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm (http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm) there is info on mods for appliance modules. You may have to take a look inside to see if it is the same or not.
Unquote:

The appliance module shown in http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm (http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm) is different frm the one I have. Thanks for your help.

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: Brian H on October 22, 2006, 01:12:16 PM

Lifting pin 7 will disable the local sensing control, but not stop the current from buzzing the relay. Not sure on a AM14W how to disable the physical current. many times it is a few resistors and a diode.

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: KDR on October 22, 2006, 02:06:09 PM

Try this site also  http://www.automatestuff.com/

It talks about the AM12W specifically and how to disable local sensing pics included. (About the same as Brian and Charles posted)

Here is another page that talks about the problem  http://board.homeseer.com/archive/index.php/t-112193.html

Hope some of this helps. I'm looking for a print on the AM12W and if I find anything I will post it back here.

Title: Re: X10 AM12W (appliance module) connection to a relay
Post by: 2006x10 on October 23, 2006, 04:44:58 AM

Thanks KDR, Brian, Charles and Dan.

I tried with a 10kohm 20W resistor across the relay coil, and the buzzing noise stopped. I think I like the idea of connecting a night light (or indicator light) in parallel to the relay better, since the light will indicate the contact catching of the relay.

Really appreciate everyone's help. Thanks again.