I am considering purchasing the "Protector Plus 7-Piece Set " along with a horn and a bunch of motion detectors.
I have three outstanding questions:
1. The electrical grid where I live is: 127 Volts AC at 50 Cycles (or Hertz or Hz). Now, most us appliances work just fine plugged into my 110 outlets, but some of the more sensitive ones require being plugged into a transformer or UPC. So the question is, would the X10 equipment handle that voltage (the actual voltage into my house is actually closer to 120, but the 50hz might still be a problem, yes?) If the system will not fry itself out at that voltage/hertz, will it cause false alarms?
2. Concrete, I looked for at some threads on this issue, but didn't really come across any concrete answers (pardon the pun). My house is very open (4 seperate buildings across 10000 square feet) All the walls are solid concrete. My 900mhz phone doesn't go far, my 2.4ghz will make it through most of the buildings with minimal static. So the question is, should I go ahead and get a couple of repeaters? OR should the system be able to communicate just fine.
3. Wireless lans. I have two wireless G and one wireless N networks on the property, are those going to cause any problems with interference?
If these are answered in depth elsewhere, please just provide the links. Thanks in advance.
One more thing I forgot.
4. Wind, we have lots of windows and it is very windy here. Average about 15knots year round. This is why I would rather use motion detectors inside the buildings instead of window/door alarms. We like to leave the windows open and even when closed they tend to rattle a lot (which I assume would create false alarms).
Will wind set up the motion detectors? Assuming nothing in the rooms gets moved by the wind (ie no papers lying about, etc) Should the 2-step mode be sufficient to keep wind-caused false alarms to a minimal?
1. X10 signal will not travel through a UPS. In fact a UPS can suck the X10 signal from the line. You may need filters or blocks. I don't know about the "Protector Plus" but the internal clock on the CM15A syncs with 60Hz so the 50Hz would be a problem for it. Not sure if there is a CM15A for 50Hz yet or if "Protector Plus" needs 60 Hz.
3. Wireless may interfer with camera signals but not the wireless sensors.
4. Not sure about the wind but window sensors maybe OK. Extra magnets can allow windows to be alarmed in a partly open position.
Hopefully someone with a Protector Plus system will post their thoughts also.
I posted a reply to a similar question which you can find here on the forum. This should answer your first question.
General Category / General Discussion / Re: 110V conversion to 220V.
Do a search for answers to questions #2 & #3 I'm sure the answers are here.
Question #4 You can use 2 door/window module sensor contacts wired together on a window so that you will have 2 positions for the window. Closed & partially open. The fact that the wind rattles your windows shouldn't send false alarms unless the contacts get separated far enough apart to send a signal. Which shouldn't happen with rattling. Where I live in Northern California we get some pretty severe wind, and gusts of more that 15 knots and I haven't had any problems.
Quote from: specs on August 16, 2006, 09:30:21 AM
1. The electrical grid where I live is: 127 Volts AC at 50 Cycles (or Hertz or Hz).
Just out of curiosity, what is your location?
Quote from: TakeTheActive on August 16, 2006, 11:58:45 AM
...Just out of curiosity, what is your location?
I was wondering that also.
Quote from: steven r on August 16, 2006, 12:20:18 PM
Quote from: TakeTheActive on August 16, 2006, 11:58:45 AM
...Just out of curiosity, what is your location?
I was wondering that also.
Hey! Look who's back!
Day off or lunch break? ;)
Quote from: TakeTheActive on August 16, 2006, 11:58:45 AM
Just out of curiosity, what is your location?
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Quote from: steven r on August 16, 2006, 10:37:47 AM
I don't know about the "Protector Plus" but the internal clock on the CM15A syncs with 60Hz so the 50Hz would be a problem for it. Not sure if there is a CM15A for 50Hz yet or if "Protector Plus" needs 60 Hz.
So if I find out that the equipment can handle the minor voltage increase (out of the plugs it is about 121 volts) what problem would the 50hertz cause? I guess I don't really understand what "internal clock on the CM15A syncs with 60Hz" means. I definitely am not stuck on the "Protector Plus" that was just the kit I was looking for on their website. Any suggestions are welcome.
Quote from: specs on August 16, 2006, 05:15:54 PM
...what problem would the 50hertz cause? I guess I don't really understand what "internal clock on the CM15A syncs with 60Hz" means.
- 60Hz = 60 'cycles per second' = 3600 'cycles per minute'
. - 50Hz = 50 'cycles per second' = 3000 'cycles per minute'
There's a counter circuit inside the CM15A that says:
- After you see 60 "pulses", advance the internal clock 1 second
Do you see where the clock would now run 50/60 % slower? ;)
Quote from: TakeTheActive on August 16, 2006, 05:32:55 PM
Quote from: specs on August 16, 2006, 05:15:54 PM
...what problem would the 50hertz cause? I guess I don't really understand what "internal clock on the CM15A syncs with 60Hz" means.
Do you see where the clock would now run 50/60 % slower? ;)
Ok, I hear you, but how would that affect the system, functionality-wise? Btw, reading the link in your signature, great info there.
Quote from: specs on August 16, 2006, 05:36:10 PM
Ok, I hear you, but how would that affect the system, functionality-wise?
Well, your
TIMERS wouldn't work too well - 1 hour on your Netherlands wall clock would be 50 minutes on your CM15A, 2 hours -> 1 hour 40 min, 3 hours -> 2 hours 30 min...
Quote from: specs on August 16, 2006, 05:36:10 PM
Btw, reading the link in your signature, great info there.
THANKS! :)
It's certainly refreshing to find a Newbie (
Date Registered: Today at 09:11:43) that takes the time to READ *BEFORE* posting (
usually previously answered) questions.
Psst... You can CLICK on '
Helpful' (just above Total Posts:) on any of my posts in appreciation! :)
The most important thing to mention is that anything sold by X10USA WILL NOT work outside of the US or Canada. Neither any modules or the CM15A will not funtion at all and nothing with US/Canada conectors can be plugged into a non-US electric system without adapters and AHP will not function properly.
Quote from: Dan Lawrence on August 16, 2006, 06:04:47 PM
The most important thing to mention is that anything sold by X10USA WILL NOT work outside of the US or Canada. Neither any modules or the CM15A will not funtion at all and nothing with US/Canada conectors can be plugged into a non-US electric system without adapters and AHP will not function properly.
Your statement is a little too broad Dan. Certainly the US X-10 products will work perfectly well in any locality where the Voltage, Frequency, and Receptacle style matches the US/Canada standards, which includes at least a number of countries in the southern hemisphere. With the exception of timed macros, modules and transmitters will work at 50 Hz so long as the voltage is within a reasonable margin around 120 Volts and there's either a plug match or an adapter for the receptacle style.
Given that the international versions of X10 products often cost 4-5 times as much as the US versions, a number of hardware hacks have been published for modules and transmitters to allow operation at 230 Volts. See for example: http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm Unfortunately the circuitry of recent modules is often different from those for which the hacks were developed.
This web page lists Voltage, Frequency, and Plug styles for most countries:
http://www.exportassistance.com/export/foreign_voltage.html
Good link, but it still doesn''t help the original poster, who is in the Netherlands Antilles. He cannot use US/Canadian electric equipment
Quote from: Dan Lawrence on August 17, 2006, 08:24:24 AM
Good link, but it still doesn''t help the original poster, who is in the Netherlands Antilles. He cannot use US/Canadian electric equipment
The line voltage at my house (in the USA) has at times varied in the 125-130 Volt range with no ill effects on my X10 equipment, and the original poster says his line voltage is usually around 120 Volts anyway. Again except for timed macros, I wouldn't expect problems with X10 signals on the user's nominal 127 Volt, 50 Hz power.
Whether the telephoning feature of the X-10 security console is compatible with the telephone network in the Netherlands Antilles is another question entirely.
What I know of AC electricity, frequency is very important. Electrical devices are built for the frequency where they are sold. A device built for 60HZ will not work properly on 50HZ. Electric clocks will run slow, for example and motors would overheat. Airline travelers who fly frequently buy converters for use in countries where frequency and voltage is different from US/Canadian standard. The electric shaver built for US/Canadian use won't work in London or Paris without a converter.
Question for the user base here: Have X10 modules been affected during "brownouts, where voltage is reduced? I live in Baltimore, where brownouts are very rare.
Quote from: Dan Lawrence on August 17, 2006, 08:24:24 AM
Good link, but it still doesn''t help the original poster, who is in the Netherlands Antilles. He cannot use US/Canadian electric equipment
Did you read it?
Quote from: Dan Lawrence on August 17, 2006, 10:58:19 AM
What I know of AC electricity...
Quote from: Dan Lawrence on August 16, 2006, 06:04:47 PM
The most important thing to mention is that anything sold by X10USA WILL NOT work outside of the US or Canada. Neither any modules or the CM15A will not funtion at all and nothing with US/Canada conectors can be plugged into a non-US electric system without adapters and AHP will not function properly.
If you're not an expert in a subject (utility power systems, for example), then perhaps you should stop making
blanket statements.
IMO, from looking at the chart
Charles Sullivan was so gracious to locate and provide a LINK for, folks living in:
- American Samoa
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Columbia
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Ecuador
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Neth. Antilles
- Okinawa
- Panama
- Philippines
- Puerto Rico
- Saudi Arabia
- St. Pierre & Miquelon (France)
- Taiwan
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Venezuela
- Virgin Island
have a VERY GOOD chance of everything operating right-out-of-the-box! [~120VAC, 60HZ, Plug Type A and/or B]
Quote from: Charles Sullivan on August 17, 2006, 10:41:13 AM
The line voltage at my house (in the USA) has at times varied in the 125-130 Volt range with no ill effects on my X10 equipment, and the original poster says his line voltage is usually around 120 Volts anyway. Again except for timed macros, I wouldn't expect problems with X10 signals on the user's nominal 127 Volt, 50 Hz power.
Whether the telephoning feature of the X-10 security console is compatible with the telephone network in the Netherlands Antilles is another question entirely.
I don't really care about the timed macros. Looking at it mainly for the motion detectors and horn. Looking for something I can set and leave.
I work from home, so there is usually somebody here. I just want it for the few times I do leave. I live on a wonderful island where there is almost no violent crime, unfortunately theft and burgulary are very common. And I have a fair amount of computer equipment I want protected.
For the telephony, I use Vonage (VOIP); because all my family and customers are in the US. I read on other threads that you can make this work with Vonage. The question will be if I can get it to dial my local cell phone (011599XXXXXXX) 13 digits ie: dial international. This may be answered elsewhere, I haven't looked yet.
Quote from: specs on August 17, 2006, 01:23:25 PM
...I use Vonage (VOIP)...
Make sure you have a UPS for your modem, router, & Vonage.
Quote from: steven r on August 17, 2006, 01:26:18 PM
Quote from: specs on August 17, 2006, 01:23:25 PM
...I use Vonage (VOIP)...
Make sure you have a UPS for your modem, router, & Vonage.
You sure bet I do! I have a 1500VA APC in every room in room in the house with any real equipment in it.
The UPS units will suck up the X10 line signals. My APB BX1000 needed a X10 filter on the AC power cord to stop it from absorbing most of the X10 Line Signals. Also X10 signals will not pass through the UPS so battery backup of the X10 stuff will probably not work. One side test I did for someone here. I tried the TM751 Transceiver on my UPS battery backed outlet. On Battery it fried the module with it's modified sine wave output.
Quote from: Brian H on August 17, 2006, 04:55:17 PM
...I tried the TM751 Transceiver on my UPS battery backed outlet. On Battery it fried the module with it's modified sine wave output.
My transceiver almost fried (It got hot as H***.) when I tried a similar thing with the AC output from an inverter plugged into a 12V battery. My guess is that it is more of a square wave than a true sine wave.
Quote from: Dan Lawrence on August 17, 2006, 10:58:19 AM
What I know of AC electricity, frequency is very important. Electrical devices are built for the frequency where they are sold. A device built for 60HZ will not work properly on 50HZ. Electric clocks will run slow, for example and motors would overheat. Airline travelers who fly frequently buy converters for use in countries where frequency and voltage is different from US/Canadian standard. The electric shaver built for US/Canadian use won't work in London or Paris without a converter.
The converters sold in the US for foreign travel just step down the voltage from 230 Volts to 115 Volts and provide the receptacle adapter. They don't normally convert frequency. True, AC electric clocks and other equipment (like the CM15A) which keep time by counting cycles will run slower on 50 Hz than on 60 Hz, as will AC motors. See: http://www.franzus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FOS&Screen=UE
Quote
Question for the user base here: Have X10 modules been affected during "brownouts, where voltage is reduced? I live in Baltimore, where brownouts are very rare.
FWIW, I once tested a LM465 Lamp Module's response to dim signals at different voltages by plugging the module into a "variac" (autotransformer). It worked fine down to 90 Volts, which is as low as I went. (The CM11A used to send the X10 signals remained at 120 Volts on the input side of the variac.)