X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: brandonvickers on December 10, 2006, 02:01:20 AM

Title: How Do I (Physically) Iinstall a XPCR? [It's BIG!]
Post by: brandonvickers on December 10, 2006, 02:01:20 AM

I am having issues receiving signals on both my phases in my house. I only have a small house but I guesstimate I am well over 100 from my transformer. So, I decided to get a XPCR cause I have alot of electronic devices, including several UPSes. Things run OK with a reciever on each phase but I want to use my ActivePro and have multiple house codes. I figured the XPCR would be better in my house instead of a XPCP. I am handy with electrical work, so i went and ordered one of a eBay. I got it in the mail today and i looked at it and realize that there is no way that it will fit in a standard junction box and I am not going to mount this in the breaker box. What the heck do people use to mount these things????? I want to use a box that is not going to look all  cobbled and and out of place. I am thinking I should have gotten a XPCP instead.

Any advice?

Title: Re: How Do I (Physically) Iinstall a XPCR? [It's BIG!]
Post by: Brian H on December 10, 2006, 09:07:48 AM

The XPCP only couples the signal strength at its terminals. So if the CM15A was 5 VPP and it was 1 VPP at the coupler. The signal would start at 1 VPP on the other phase. XPCR is a better choice. I hope others that have done this can assist you. I have a Leviton [unused for now] that also doesn't fit a standard box. Maybe there are larger ones not normally seen.
OK if you have many electronic devices including UPSs. Part of your problem maybe noise or signal suckers that a filter could cure. I know my APC BX1000 kills both X10 and Insteon signals without a X10 Type filter on it. Any switching power supply also is suspect. Even the new Washes; Dryers and electronically controlled stoves and refrigerators can effect X10 signals.
Have you looked at the good tutorials found here, on such things as noise and mapping your electrical system? If not good reading from those that have been there.

Title: Re: How Do I (Physically) Iinstall a XPCR? [It's BIG!]
Post by: brandonvickers on December 13, 2006, 09:50:39 AM

I didn't want to use a standard 3 slot switch box like I have seen other people use because I wanted a blank cover that covered all three holes flush with the sides of the box. I could not find anything like this locally. I was able to find a junction/pull box that was also avertized as being used in home controls. The only downside is that it was 6X6X4. I was able to lay the XPCR flat in the bottom of the box, but I could have put two more ontop and still have room to spare inside. It does have mounting holes in the back, knock-outs on all four sides and a screw down cover that can be removed without removing the screws completely.

I installed the box along side my breaker box and connected it with an offset nipple and ran 3 conductor 12g wire between the boxes and connected it up to a 20 AMP breaker. The install is bigger than I hoped but it looks clean and professional.

Title: Re: How Do I (Physically) Iinstall a XPCR? [It's BIG!]
Post by: brandonvickers on December 13, 2006, 09:52:45 AM

oh, and if anyone cares, I got the box at Home Depot and below is a link to the manufactorer's product guide:

Hubbell-Wiegmann: SC Series Enclosures - NEMA 1 Screw Cover Wall-Mount (http://www.hubbell-wiegmann.com/2004/pdf2004/A2.pdf)

[TTA Edit: Added description to LINK.]

Title: Re: How Do I (Physically) Iinstall a XPCR? [It's BIG!]
Post by: Brian H on December 13, 2006, 05:04:28 PM

Thank you for sharing this information. It will be a help to someone with the same problem you had. Yes we do care when a fix is shared with all of us.

Title: Re: How Do I (Physically) Iinstall a XPCR? [It's BIG!]
Post by: jshores on January 13, 2007, 09:13:35 PM

I did something similar with my XPCR.  I got a small GE circuit breaker box at Lowe's for $12 and removed its innards.  I mounted the now empty box underneath my main breaker panel and attached with a 1-1/2" offset nipple.  I installed 2 20A circuit breakers into the main panel and ran 12-2 wire and a length of red 12 gauge wire to the XPCR.  If you are using 14-2, you can use 15A breakers instead.  The box I bought is approximately 8" x 6" x 2".  If I decide (or need) to install filters or blocks, I've got room for them.  I used industrial strength Velcro to attach the XPCR to the inside of the new box.  Took me about an hour to do the whole thing.