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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: Shaun Eli on January 28, 2013, 05:44:04 PM

Title: CFL noise tripping receiver modules
Post by: Shaun Eli on January 28, 2013, 05:44:04 PM

I've been using X10 for 20+ years with CFLs with no problems.

A couple of days ago I turned on a ceiling light (non-X10, controlled by a regular light switch) that has 2 CFLs in it. I heard a click and realized that my X10 wireless transceiver turned on. A couple of additional flips of the switch and it clicked again.

Since I don't have anything plugged into the module (unit #1) it's not that big an issue, but since it's tripping appliance unit #1 is there some chance it might start tripping other modules?

By the way, my kitchen lights have also started tripping the transceiver, on occasion.

The only thing new in my house is that I added a humidifier about a week ago.

Title: Re: CFL noise tripping receiver modules
Post by: Brian H on January 28, 2013, 06:37:43 PM

Is it the X10 RR501 X10Pro PAT01 Tranceiver or the TM751 Tranceiver?
RR501 and PAT01 have a Power Line and RF receiver in them. The TM751 is strictly RF.

I would suspect it is the transceiver maybe getting flaky as more than one source is triggering it.
I had an RR501 get flaky and I had to rebuild the power supply in it.

We also have had reports of CFLs getting near end of life. Making power line noise. So you may want to try a replacement CFL.

Title: Re: CFL noise tripping receiver modules
Post by: Shaun Eli on January 28, 2013, 06:57:40 PM

Not the pro, an inexpensive one.

Too many CFLs to move around (2 in one fixture, 6 in kitchen) but I have spare transceivers, I'll swap it. Thanks.

Title: Re: CFL noise tripping receiver modules
Post by: Brian H on January 28, 2013, 07:03:26 PM

The TM751?
It doesn't have any power line receiver in it but maybe it has a failing power supply that is triggering on noise.

Title: Re: CFL noise tripping receiver modules
Post by: Shaun Eli on January 28, 2013, 07:22:53 PM

You sure it doesn't have a power line receiver in it? Then something plugged into its outlet can't be triggered by a wired transmitter? Only by a wireless one?

Title: Re: CFL noise tripping receiver modules
Post by: Shaun Eli on January 28, 2013, 07:29:31 PM

Well, you learn something new...

It's an RR501 and according to x10 does respond to power line signals, whereas the TM751 doesn't.

I replaced it with a TM751. Since it's just being used as a receiver I don't need it to respond to power line signals.

And so far the TM751 isn't tripping with the lights being switched on.

But I repeat my original question- is there some chance that the CFLs will trip other modules? I have appliance modules, lamp modules and 3 3-way light switch modules.

Title: Re: CFL noise tripping receiver modules
Post by: Brian H on January 29, 2013, 06:01:51 AM

There is always a small chance a module can be falsely triggered. Though I believe it is a rare chance.
If the RR501 was in service for many years. It could have been getting flaky. One of mine did.