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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: paizano1 on March 31, 2009, 08:38:23 PM

Title: AF120 noise filter and microwave
Post by: paizano1 on March 31, 2009, 08:38:23 PM

hey everyone need help again, i am using a AF120 15amp noise filter, and microwave.  here is the problem, when i turn on the over-the-range microwave my rf switch plates don't respond.  I guess i mean the devices won't respond to the commands from the RF wall plates.  So i purchased the  filter and plugged it in.  After installation the units still won't respond until the micro is shut off.  i am thinking that it is a disturbance in the rf transmission from the micro instead of from the ac powerline.  i am using a cm15a, 1-lamp module, 1-wall switch, and 1-wall outlet.  none of the items work with it running.  Tried several different remotes no luck. Did try a minitimer and it works, that is why i don't think it is powerline interference.  Anyone know how to shield interference.  thanks in advance

Title: Re: AF120 noise filter and microwave
Post by: Knightrider on March 31, 2009, 08:42:38 PM

Quote from: paizano1 on March 31, 2009, 08:38:23 PM

Anyone know how to shield interference.  thanks in advance

Lead cabinet?

Title: Re: AF120 noise filter and microwave
Post by: astrothug on March 31, 2009, 08:49:16 PM

Quote

Lead cabinet?

lmao

Title: Re: AF120 noise filter and microwave
Post by: dave w on March 31, 2009, 09:15:42 PM

Quote from: paizano1 on March 31, 2009, 08:38:23 PM

i am thinking that it is a disturbance in the rf transmission from the micro instead of from the ac powerline.  i am using a cm15a, 1-lamp module, 1-wall switch, and 1-wall outlet.  none of the items work with it running.  Tried several different remotes no luck. Did try a minitimer and it works, that is why i don't think it is powerline interference.  Anyone know how to shield interference.  thanks in advance

Microwave frequency should not interfere with X10 RF (nor should it be escaping from the unit),   If the microwave was spraying RF to the point of interfering with X10 RF signals, I suspect you would see other evidence. As a test, tune an AM radio to the low end of the band (520 KHz) and hold it near the microwave. If it is quiet, it ain't RF from the microwave causing your problem.

Move the CM15A to the same outlet as the Mini Timer and use your remote to control something. If things begin to work, reconsider the AC powerline noise.

When the microwave is running, does the ACT filter get warm? (Personal curiosity question which has no bearing on the problem).

Title: Re: AF120 noise filter and microwave
Post by: HA Dave on March 31, 2009, 09:51:24 PM

Quote from: paizano1 on March 31, 2009, 08:38:23 PM

.....Anyone know how to shield interference. 

Is the microwave grounded? They do send out RF... but I think a grounded outlet helps. You could find a different location for the RF slimline switches... further away from the microwave.

Title: Re: AF120 noise filter and microwave
Post by: paizano1 on April 01, 2009, 06:35:13 PM

ok, here is what has been done so far. I moved the cm15 to same outlet as mini timer, and still no lights unless pretty close to the cm15 with remote. next moved the mini timer to the same outlet as microwave with filter plugged in to micro and while running mini timer still controls lights, but not remotes. The microwave is grounded through outlet. I still think there is some sort of interference with the rf transmissions when close to microwave ( 5-10) ft. anyone else had similar remote issues with micro's that the af120 hasn't fixed. just to recap, mini timer line commands work while micro is going, but rf remote signals get no response until micro stops.