X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: george536 on November 07, 2010, 02:15:57 AM
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Ok well, ive been doing a good amount of reading and want to confirm ws13a's is what i need instead of the ws12a's since they are kinda pricey.
I have a newer home built in 2007 and the house all through out has cfls except for my plug in lamps, which i will use the lm465 for those.
i want to replace the original switch to my kitchen lighting which one switch turns on about 6 cfls in the kitchen, and the switch to my front lighting which turns on 3 cfls, and maybe my backyard light switch which just controls one cfl. Will the ws13a do what i need or can i get away with the ws12a?
good thing about the switches is that they look like my stock home switches which is great! :)%
any help is very much appreciated!!!!!!
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The ws13a is a relay type switch and you would need this for CFLs.
These also require a neutral wire be in the switch box.
If for some reason you do not have neutral in the switch box, you may want to look at the X10 Pro XPFM.
These are an in-line fixture module and will work for CFLs, ceiling fans, etc... and give basic on/off control.
The ws12a has a dimming circuit and can only be used for incandescent bulbs.
Hope this helps.
Good luck! >!
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You may also see some online dealers selling the X10Pro XPS3 which is there equivalent to the WS13A.
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The ws13a is a relay type switch and you would need this for CFLs.
These also require a neutral wire be in the switch box.
If for some reason you do not have neutral in the switch box, you may want to look at the X10 Pro XPFM.
These are an in-line fixture module and will work for CFLs, ceiling fans, etc... and give basic on/off control.
The ws12a has a dimming circuit and can only be used for incandescent bulbs.
Hope this helps.
Good luck! >!
thank you i will pop the cover off and look if i have a neutral wire. But i couldnt find the xpfm?
You may also see some online dealers selling the X10Pro XPS3 which is there equivalent to the WS13A.
found the xps3 seem they are more expensive than the ws13a, so im hoping i can use the ws13a.
thanks for the help i will check back to see if i have a neutral wire
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sorry i did find xpfm, still new to this i was looking for another wall switch. So if i dont have the neutral wire i would need to place this inline with my stock switch. hrm..
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No problem on WS13A or XPS3. Both would work and some EBay X10 dealers have them very inexpensive.
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this is what i have
(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5507/1020290.jpg)
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Looks like a switch loop. Where one wire is the AC line and the other goes back to the lights line connection.
If there isn't an unused white wire in the back of the switch box. You probably don't have a neutral connection needed by the WS13A or XPS3.
Some here may have ways for you to do what you need to do.
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Looks like a switch loop. Where one wire is the AC line and the other goes back to the lights line connection.
If there isn't an unused white wire in the back of the switch box. You probably don't have a neutral connection needed by the WS13A or XPS3.
Some here may have ways for you to do what you need to do.
(http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8291/facepalmr.gif)
how did i know mine wasnt going to be simple. hopefully someone can chime in on my options, or who can i PM?
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I have an older home and everything is on switch loops.
I've had to use the XPFMs to control my ceiling fans and some large fluorescent fixtures.
For the majority of lighting I am using incandescent bulbs and ws12as.
If neutral isn't available in the switch box, it should be located in the lights fixture box and allow you to use the XPFM modules.
If using incandescent bulbs in several locations you require x10 control is possible, it would be a bit easier to do this and use ws12as.
Having a large number of CFLs could possibly cause some issues with line noise as well.
You may want to read up on filters and/or amplifiers/repeaters such as JVDE XTBII-R if you have plans to install a number of x10 modules.
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well while going through the house popping off switches, turns out i have a couple incandescent switches, it says right on them for "permanent incandescent use only" 600w / 120 vac / 60hz even have a stock dimmer. They are wired the same as the switch i posted above except it looks different because of the dimmer.
Will i be able to use the ws12a on those? i see the ws12a have 3 wires and the red is not used unless a slave, and my switch has that copper wire, what is that copper wire used for?
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after doing some praying, and actually heavier digging im hoping i have found the WHITE wires!
(http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1838/1020300.jpg)
(http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/108/1020296.jpg)
correct?
the last pic, the right switch is the incandescent switch im talking about.
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Those appear to be your neutrals.
If so, the ws13as should work for your CFLs.
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Those appear to be your neutrals.
If so, the ws13as should work for your CFLs.
thankyou answer i was looking for!
now what do i do with the copper wire? i searched and found a post that said just toss it to the back and leave it there, but no one confirmed on it.
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I have all metal switch boxes myself, so the ground attaches to them.
You may be able to tuck the ground behind one of the metal ears on the switch.
Maybe someone could chime in who has a bit more know how on this.
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The WS12A could be used where the incandescent dimmers where; but the bulbs would have to be incandescent and not a CFL.
Yes it does look like you have the white Neutral wire you need.
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thanks again for all the help, just ordered some xps3's, and some xppf's and some other modules to start off my home automation. Quick question since im still just starting out.
the ds7000 security kit can be completely separate if i wanted it to right? just set it on its own house code than my other stuff ill be doing with AHP?
cant wait :)%
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Yes it can be completely separate. If you choose.
If your AHP comes with the On Alert add on. It can also interface with the security Console.
Modules can share addresses between the two if you want lets say have a lamp module flash with an alarm and have AHP control it for other chores.
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Yes it can be completely separate. If you choose.
If your AHP comes with the On Alert add on. It can also interface with the security Console.
Modules can share addresses between the two if you want lets say have a lamp module flash with an alarm and have AHP control it for other chores.
hrm this is going to get interesting!!
im going to write down all these codes and draw out a map lol
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Helpful links:
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Main_Page
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=l2v2t8pnj3cr5fgm3ej6i3igm3&topic=19252.msg107493#new
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=racj838jjj8n77pr5fulaib204&topic=19756.0
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=9899.msg57946
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=fia4somvt646m1f9ar60hogk94&topic=7951.0
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm
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thankyou for all the info, i have read most of those and some i havent.
I will look into phase coupler / repeater if i start running into issues
found this one i might get
http://www.smarthome.com/4826A/SignaLinc-4-Pin-Plug-in-Coupler-Repeater/p.aspx
seems it got good reviews
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If you need a coupler repeater. I would look at the XTB-IIR from JV Engineering.
Second choice maybe an ACT CR234.
I believe the Smarthome unit has been reported to cause X10 signal firestorms in some installations with a CM15A.
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BUMP!
just got my xps3's
anybody know definitively what to do with the ground wire? should i just toss it back of the switch box? or wrap it around one of the ears of the xps3?
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wrap it, less you have a metal box, then clip it/clamp it to the box.
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thankyou, i have a plastic box and will wrap it around one of the ears of the new switch.
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dont you just love install pics?
(http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/8168/1020324.jpg)
this is the xps3 controlling an outlet with a incandescent lamp and works great! I wrapped the ground around one of the ears and everything is good, from the switch. I dont have the rest of my setup to control it with an x10 controller so ill try that when it comes in.
Will install one of the switches tomorrow to some cfl's, hopefully it just goes just as smooth.
Mapped out my house on some paper and writing down modules as i go.
thanks again for the help i get here >!
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dont you just love install pics?
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Mapped out my house on some paper and writing down modules as i go.
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thanks again for the help i get here >!
You're welcome!
Install pics are always good to have.
P.S. Mapping your house is one of the best things you can do.
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Looks good.
I also agree on mapping your circuits and what is controlled by each breaker.
In my case with a mix of Insteon and X10. I also have the six digit Insteon ID in a log.