Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[scott.g]

I am having a range issue with some modules in 2 rooms at the furthest most distance from the CM15A interface. These modules work when plugged in closer to the unit, but not in these 2 rooms. This is a very old house, and pretty small, distance will only be about 35 linear ft between the CM15A and the modules. Another note is these two rooms are on the same breaker.

I am new to X10, I did a search on the forum for range but only found posts to extend the RF range of the CM15A receiver and not the electrical range.

Any suggestions? I will be very appreciative.

Thanks, Scott

[Tuicemen]

X10 signals tend to degrade the farther they travel on the powerline!
You state that these 2 rooms are on the same breaker but are they on the same one as the CM15A? This could be a phase issue fixed with a Phase coupler!

In any case look at Jeffvolps X10 Troubleshooting Info Page where he explains some Powerline issues and how to fix them!

[scott.g]

Oh, I see, the signal from the CM15A is traveling down one leg of a 220v single phase system, so actually you need to couple it to the other side of the 220 leg with a bypass capacitor, which would feed the signal to the other side of the single phase waveform. I assume 1 capacitor properly placed in your breaker box could cover both legs throughout a small house. I would assume to go from the breaker where the CM15A is connected to the middle of the other leg buss in the electrical box?

Thanks for the info, I see I may need what is called a 4-wire phase coupler because I also want to control 220v appliances, like window AC, is this true? or is that just a coupler that plugs into a 220 socket? Is there a schematic for a 4 wire phase coupler, or an inexpensive device part number you could recommend?

Thanks, Scott

[Brian H]

The cap between the phase should do it fine.
The 3 and 4 pin Dryer Outlet Coupler has the same cap and a tuning inductor in series for a narrower band pass from phase to phase. You should not need both. It is just an easier way to add a coupler than the hard wired in one. If you go the wired in route; I would try and find an AC power Line rated one; though many used a 600 volt type.

Note: The simple coupler many times is enough, but lets say your 5V X10 signal; at the CM15A; is 1 volt by the time it gets to the phase coupling cap. Only one volt is fed back to the other phase.

[Tuicemen]

To expand on what Brian stated, you may still need a signal booster like Jeffvops
 XTB to keep the x10 power line signal voltage up for long wire runs!