X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: pcaboo on August 13, 2009, 11:43:35 PM

Title: CFL's
Post by: pcaboo on August 13, 2009, 11:43:35 PM
I installed a XPS3 switch for my kitchen lights to use with CFL's. I have (3) 75 watt bulbs in the fixture. The light goes on but won't go off. When I take (1) 75 watt CFL out, the fixture turns on and off. I re-wired the fixture to make sure the wires and porcelin sockets were good. I read that certain CFLs put out more noise than others. Can someone tell me which brand puts out the least noise. I just ordered a XPR noise filter to see if that cures the problem. if it does, it creates another problem: How do I fit the XPR into the box.

Any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: CFL's
Post by: Brian H on August 14, 2009, 06:20:51 AM
Did you mean the X10Pro XPNR? That would go after the X10 switch as close to the offending device as possible.

Have you looked at Jeff Volp's Troubleshooting Tutorials?    http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm

I know Jeff has used a Leviton filter on some of his CFL devices. I don't remember the part number but would say more will be given by others.

Title: Re: CFL's
Post by: JeffVolp on August 14, 2009, 08:47:35 AM
I used the Leviton 6287 in-line filter.  The XPNR is a bandpass filter which attenuates noise outside the X10 carrier band.  The problem with some CFLs is that they generate noise IN the X10 carrier band.  Only an in-line band-stop filter will prevent that noise from reaching the powerline

The n:vision CFLs we bought at HomeDepot a couple of years ago have worked fine in unfiltered fixtures.

Jeff
Title: Re: CFL's
Post by: dave w on August 14, 2009, 12:22:03 PM
Can someone tell me which brand puts out the least noise.

I use a "whole bunch" of GE CFLs (from Sams Club) with nary a problem. They are typically noisy, but not at the frequencies that interfere with X10.