X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Other Automation Systems => Powerline Control Reliability => Topic started by: dbemowsk on February 28, 2010, 11:21:32 AM
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I recently ordered an XTBM meter kit and got it all put together. I have been using it to identify issues with my x10 setup and have actually found some noise makers that I wouldn't have suspected. I think the meter works great.
My issue is that I plugged it into an outlet today and got the message "FAIL SELF TEST". I looked in the XTBM X10 Signal Meter Operation online manual and the manual does not describe this message and what to do to correct it. If I plug the meter into other outlets it works fine (e.g. finds my repeater and starts normally). I think a description for this condition should be added to the manual under the full line messages section.
And just a plug in the positive direction for Jeff Voip, the XTBM is an excelent meter and will seriously help in finding ANY X10 issues you may have in your installation. This meter should be purchased if you are truly serious about your X10 installation and are having a lot of trouble with modules not working, or just to find those pesky signal suckers and noise makers.
Thanks again Jeff.
Dan Bemowski
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My issue is that I plugged it into an outlet today and got the message "FAIL SELF TEST". I looked in the XTBM X10 Signal Meter Operation online manual and the manual does not describe this message and what to do to correct it. If I plug the meter into other outlets it works fine (e.g. finds my repeater and starts normally). I think a description for this condition should be added to the manual under the full line messages section.
Actually, the on line manual does include this line: "Note that a nearby signal sucker or strong noise source might cause a self-test failure during the repeater check."
Rather than make people wait for several seconds for the digital filters to stabilize, the repeater check is performed as soon as the unit powers up using default values. Those work well in most instances, but a few people have discovered that the unit displays the Fail Self Test in certain locations.
I could loosen up the tolerance so it would pass the self-test if it is working at all, but I would rather have the self-test verify the accuracy of the unit too.
Your recommendation about adding the warning to the full line messages has been incorporated:
http://jvde.us/xtb/XTBM_instructions.htm
Jeff
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My issue is that I plugged it into an outlet today and got the message "FAIL SELF TEST".
when this happened to me, it happened to be because it was an old outlet that needed to be replaced. The internal contacts of the outlet weren't making proper contact with the meter.
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Jeff; Thanks for the updated Operation Manual.
I have downloaded it for future use.
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My issue is that I plugged it into an outlet today and got the message "FAIL SELF TEST".
In addition to updating the manual, I added this to the FAQ. I also added the one about the XTBM displaying under 110KHz for my XTBR. That one had me puzzled for awhile.
http://jvde.us/xtb/xtb_faq.htm
Jeff
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Many thanks for the FAQ. Loving the tester. It has helped me find and resolve a few issues already.
Dan B.
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Thanks again for the updates and excellent support.
Also for taking the time to analyse the unique CCFL I sent you.