X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: Lightn8 on October 20, 2012, 04:58:43 AM

Title: Fluorescent Lights
Post by: Lightn8 on October 20, 2012, 04:58:43 AM

Is there a non-dim/relay module that will respond to an "all lights on" command? It's kinda frustrating to...I digress, you understand.

Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights
Post by: Brian H on October 20, 2012, 06:41:42 AM

Plug in module or a wall switch?

X10Pro XPS3 wall switch users instructions indicate it will turn On with an All Lights On command. Also it requires a Neutral Power Connection to work. So a simple switch loop where the Line and Load are the only connections in the switch box will not work with a XPS3.
http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xps3.pdf

The X10 WS13A also can do All Lights On and like the XPS3 needs a Neutral Power Connection.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/WS13A

I don't believe any plug in relay modules will accept a All Lights On command. To risky as you could accidentally turn On something you shouldn't. Like an empty coffee pot.

Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights
Post by: Lightn8 on October 22, 2012, 01:04:14 PM

But I don't want to plug my CFLs into a dimmer either.I'm glad to know that there are multiple options. Today I realized that when I get my system set up it won't matter because most things will be on a macro and I won't need the "all lights on" command. Wow! long run on sentence, sorry.

Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights
Post by: dave w on October 22, 2012, 02:16:16 PM

Quote from: Lightn8 on October 22, 2012, 01:04:14 PM

Today I realized that when I get my system set up it won't matter because most things will be on a macro and I won't need the "all lights on" command.

Yep, this is true. The caveat is turning on lights individually by macro is the longer time needed compared to an ALO command.

Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights
Post by: Brian H on October 22, 2012, 04:08:07 PM

Unless the CFL is rated to be on a dimmer module.
The dimmer module and the CFL can be damaged. Even at 100% the output on a dimmer is not a complete AC waveform.

Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights
Post by: Lightn8 on October 22, 2012, 09:20:58 PM

Quote from: Brian H on October 22, 2012, 04:08:07 PM

The dimmer module and the CFL can be damaged. Even at 100% the output on a dimmer is not a complete AC waveform.

Amen brother, I want to shout it from the tree tops sometimes, you have no idea how much of my equipment gets blown up because "the dimmer is instant on and we keep it at 100%" or "my fan at home is on a dimmer".
n8