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🔌General Home Automation => Other Automation Systems => Powerline Control Reliability => Topic started by: Phil1972 on March 26, 2012, 04:17:50 AM

Title: X10 - Europe
Post by: Phil1972 on March 26, 2012, 04:17:50 AM
Hi,
Apologies if this appears to be a fairly simple questions, but I have spent the best part of the day trying to work this out.
I am developing a X10 module (with receive and send capabilities), which is to be used @ 230V / 50Hz. It is meant to be a wall mount module, which is plugged into a wall.
My understanding is the the X10 signal is carried by the Live wire and not Neutral.

The problem I am having is that in mainland Europe the power plugs can be connected either way round, as the physical shape does not enforce a certain way of connection, as is in the UK.

How does one design the hardware in a cost effective way to allow for Live and Neutral to be connected either way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated & once again apologies if I am asking something too simple here...
Title: Re: X10 - Europe
Post by: dave w on March 26, 2012, 09:31:41 AM
Have you tried sending the PLC down the neutral wire? It should still work. Google "Kirkoff's Law".
Title: Re: X10 - Europe
Post by: JeffVolp on March 26, 2012, 09:46:01 AM

As Dave said, it doesn't matter which way the plug is inserted as the signal is differential across the two wires.  Which wire it appears to be on depends on your reference point.

Jeff
Title: Re: X10 - Europe
Post by: dhouston on March 26, 2012, 10:58:27 AM
There are numerous X10 schematics that may be of use on this page...