X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: kenrad on September 21, 2011, 09:54:34 AM

Title: looking for x10 compatible switches that report local status change
Post by: kenrad on September 21, 2011, 09:54:34 AM
Does anyone know of any switches that report back to AHP their status when changed locally.  The local changes always seem to confuse my setup.  I have many macros set up to turn off lights after a set amount of time.  I currently use motion sensors for this but if the kids activate the switch locally then the system fails.  I use this as a energy saving attempt because with 5 kids all the lights are always on  >!

Kenrad
Title: Re: looking for x10 compatible switches that report local status change
Post by: dave w on September 21, 2011, 10:06:51 AM
Yes. Many of the "Smarthome" Insteon switches which are compatible with X10 send their status when they are switched locally.

http://www.smarthome.com/_/Dimmers_Lighting_Appliance_Control/Dimmers_Wall_Switches_Keypads_Touchscreens/Wall_Switches_Dimmers/_/z/1QV/2MD/nav.aspx

Look for "X10 Status" feature.
Title: Re: looking for x10 compatible switches that report local status change
Post by: dhouston on September 21, 2011, 10:13:17 AM
(http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/glow-cat-007.jpg)
Genetically modified glow-in-the-dark kids would save even more energy. -:)

The Insteon switches (and modules) also report Dim level but X-10 software may not recognize that.
Title: Re: looking for x10 compatible switches that report local status change
Post by: Brian H on September 21, 2011, 01:32:53 PM
As Dave mentioned. The Insteon Switchlinc Dimmers. Send a %dim signal when dimmed or brightened.
They do send an On or Off at full On and Off.
I have tried one with AHP and if turned On or Off. AHP saw the changes. If brightened or dimmed. AHP missed the status updates.

SwitchLinc Dimmer With B1 X10 address added.

Paddle to dim up from Off.
Sent by Switchlinc:
R: B1 - 1:17:56 PM 9/21/2011
R: 55% Preset Dim 1:17:56 PM 9/21/2011

Sent by Smarthome 1132CU controller.
A status request to the Switchlinc.
T: B1 - 1:18:05 PM 9/21/2011
T: BStatus Request - 1:18:05 PM 9/21/2011
R: B1 - 1:18:06 PM 9/21/2011
R: BStatus=On - 1:18:07 PM 9/21/2011
R: B1 - 1:18:07 PM 9/21/2011
R: 55% Preset Dim 1:18:07 PM 9/21/2011
Title: Re: looking for x10 compatible switches that report local status change
Post by: Brian H on September 21, 2011, 07:14:36 PM
One more thought.
The X10 dimmer switches steal power through the load and only need a Line and a Load wire.
The Insteon and Icon SwitchLincs, KeypadLincs and TogglLincs to name a few. Do not steal power through the load and have to have a neutral power wire in the switch box. So replacing an x10 switch with one of them. requires you check for a neutral power wire or you maybe in for a unwanted surprise.