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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: Mavrik on October 27, 2011, 11:22:40 AM

Title: Switching transformer block signals
Post by: Mavrik on October 27, 2011, 11:22:40 AM
I noticed that anytime I plug in a switching transformer anywhere in the house it blocks X10 signals. Some block when plugged in and off, others block when on.  Is there a mod that can be done to the transformers?
Title: Re: Switching transformer block signals
Post by: JeffVolp on October 27, 2011, 11:30:20 AM
Quote from: Mavrik on October 27, 2011, 11:22:40 AM
Is there a mod that can be done to the transformers?

Yes, isolate it with a X10 Pro XPPF filter.

See this report on a cellphone charger that is a horrendous noise source:

    http://jvde.us/x10/x10_cellet_noise.htm

Jeff
Title: Re: Switching transformer block signals
Post by: Brian H on October 27, 2011, 12:39:12 PM
I would also say XPPF or another brand X10 type power filter is needed. For that switching supply.
Title: Re: Switching transformer block signals
Post by: Mavrik on October 27, 2011, 12:50:41 PM
Do you have an electronics diagram?  ;D
Title: Re: Switching transformer block signals
Post by: Brian H on October 27, 2011, 01:41:21 PM
Probably easier to just buy a X10 designed filter than make one.

There are some filter schematics on this site.
Leviton 6287 and 6288. ACT AF120.
http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm

The Smarthome FilterLinc
http://home.comcast.net/~gafield/family/gary/electronics/X10_Filter.pdf

If you do build a filter. Use capacitors rated for power line use. Some standard ones can short out or open up.

There would be very little you can do directly to the switching supply itself.
Title: Re: Switching transformer block signals
Post by: Mavrik on October 27, 2011, 03:50:35 PM
Thank you
Title: Re: Switching transformer block signals
Post by: dhouston on October 27, 2011, 04:32:30 PM
Quote from: Mavrik on October 27, 2011, 11:22:40 AM
I noticed that anytime I plug in a switching transformer anywhere in the house it blocks X10 signals. Some block when plugged in and off, others block when on.  Is there a mod that can be done to the transformers?
There's nothing you can do to the transformers themselves - as others have suggested you can use a filter.

What voltage/current rating are the transformers that are giving you trouble? Part Number?

I tested 3 that are X-10 friendly. I'll try to find the PN for one that came from Mouser as well as another from another supplier - I may have published them in my article on X-10 noise. This one from Smart Fun was OK...

However, there's no guarantee that one you buy today will have the same internals. Still, it might be helpful to start a list of those known to be friendly/unfriendly.

EDIT: Well, d'uh - I wrote a short article about SMPS and X-10, listing both those referenced above.