X10 Community Forum

💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: NYOD on December 15, 2011, 01:00:43 PM

Title: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: NYOD on December 15, 2011, 01:00:43 PM
I need to switch my land line phone off, then on again at specific times.  I have looked at the x10 Universal Module (UM506), but I cannot tell from the picture what kinds of connections it takes, OR if this is even the right tool/module to meet my need.  I'll be grateful for your good input.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: dave w on December 15, 2011, 02:54:02 PM
I need to switch my land line phone off, then on again at specific times.  I have looked at the x10 Universal Module (UM506), but I cannot tell from the picture what kinds of connections it takes, OR if this is even the right tool/module to meet my need.  I'll be grateful for your good input.
It's pretty simple. It is a simple SPST relay connecting the two screw terminals. When sent an "ON" command the relay closes and remains closed until an "OFF" command is sent.
It can also do a "momentary" closure action, from an "ON" command. A slide switch on the module selects the action.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Dan Lawrence on December 15, 2011, 05:34:06 PM
Remember, land line phones only need tip and ring to work, (the two sides of the talking path)  ground and power are not needed. If a UM506 has at last 4 contacts it will work. 
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: NYOD on December 15, 2011, 05:59:33 PM
Dave & Dan . . . thank you both.  I'll order it and figure it out.  From your descriptions, it ought to be straightforward.   #:)
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Knightrider on December 15, 2011, 06:04:13 PM
I actually do this here.  You only need to break one wire, so only 2 contacts are necessary.

That being said, I have 2 phones in the house THAT ARE NOT SWITCHED.  Would you really want to trust X10 to a control primary communication system in the event of an emergency?   

I have a peeve with calls after 2100 hours, so most of the phones get switched off, but you never know when it's an emergency.  Most people know not to call late in the evening.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: NYOD on December 15, 2011, 06:16:59 PM
KnightRider,  Thanks . . . some phone lines are dedicated to certain uses on particular days of the week during business hours.  This is one.  Calls outside those hours aren't to be answered.  People "in the know" will call the mobile phones.   >!
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Dan Lawrence on December 15, 2011, 07:52:57 PM
You can attach a timer to a UM506, it's listed in AHP and have it turn off and turn on at specified times.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Noam on December 15, 2011, 10:04:27 PM
Remember, land line phones only need tip and ring to work, (the two sides of the talking path)  ground and power are not needed. If a UM506 has at last 4 contacts it will work. 
The UM506 only has one pair of contacts, and I'm not sure why you said he needs 4. you only need to break one of the two wires to break the line, so the UM506 should work just fine.

Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Brian H on December 16, 2011, 06:10:30 AM
Breaking both the tip and ring connection is best. One would probably be sufficient.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Dan Lawrence on December 16, 2011, 05:17:16 PM
Breaking one (I suggest tip) should work fine.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: luke03 on December 29, 2011, 05:37:24 PM
UM506 has momentary on feature.  In this particular use, he actually wants momentary off feature.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Brian H on December 29, 2011, 06:23:03 PM
It also has a continuous On and Off. To turn the phone line Off just send it an X10 Off.
No momentary involved at all.
Title: Re: Switch land line phone on/off
Post by: Noam on December 29, 2011, 06:43:20 PM
UM506 has momentary on feature.  In this particular use, he actually wants momentary off feature.
From my reading, it seems like he is looking for the ability to switch the lines on and off at various times, not a momentary off.
Either one can be done with the Universal Module and a relay.