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Author Topic: Temperature matters ?  (Read 2858 times)

Duck69

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Temperature matters ?
« on: January 23, 2010, 01:01:14 PM »

Does the temperature really matter ?
Although I don't believe that most of us ever a consider temperature during install, it does rear it's ugly head when we least expect.
For instance I have a UM506 controlling my garage door. It worked well until winter hit.
It wouldn't work until later in the day when things warmed up a bit.  So I put it in a box and insulated it.
All was well with the world after that.  8)

Now the question has come to mind once again & unfortunately I have not been able to find any information on operating temperatures for X10 devices.

I just received a XTB-IIR & the question of where to mount it & the CM15A has arrived.
I started to send this question to Jeff Volp for advise but realized that the answers could possible benefit all of us.

Mounting my XTB-IIR & CM15A (Temperature considerations):
If mounted next to the breaker panel they would be exposed to the weather (rain/snow) & temps from 15 degrees to 120 degrees. If mounted behind the panel it would be in 4' D x 9' W x 7' H storage enclosure with an 8' garage door. They would be protected from the elements but still exposed to high & low temps. If mounted in the attic above the panel they would be protected from the elements and low temps. But still exposed to the higher temps. There are 2  other choices. #1) Mounted in the Den > WAF = 0 or
#2) Mounted in laundry room 25' to 30' from the panel.

Where would be best & why ?
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dave w

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Re: Temperature matters ?
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2010, 02:25:39 PM »

I vote for laundry room.

In late 1980's I mounted five RR501s in the attic of a south Florida home. After about three seasons of attic heat they started getting intermittent and the cases were discolored and becoming brittle. Now in the midwest I have motion sensors and appliance modules outside (protected for rain/snow) and they seem to work in heat or cold.

However, since the CM15A uses an internal oscillator which could be effected by temperature extremes I would try to install in a moderate, stable  environment. I suspect the XTBIIR is built like a tank and doesn't give a rip about temperature extreams, but why test it if you don't have to.

BTW my ACT234 is wired in to the back of the dryer. If this is your intentions, be sure and put some 2 Amp, in-line fuses to protect the repeater, which the 50 amp dryer circuit breaker will not do.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2010, 05:31:07 PM by dave w »
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JeffVolp

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Re: Temperature matters ?
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2010, 02:32:53 PM »

The XTB-IIR should be fine with that temperature range.  Just prevent water from getting inside.

I like to use 70C (158F) as a max operating temperature.  There is little quescent dissipation in the XTB-IIR, so its internal temperature will only be a few degrees warmer than ambient.

Critical components in the filters use NPO capacitors, which are temperature stable.  The PIC uses the powerline as a frequency reference, so the 120KHz will not be affected by temperature change. 

Jeff
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Tuicemen

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Re: Temperature matters ?
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2010, 02:43:10 PM »

My vote would be the laundry room as well.
Batteries don't like extream temperatures and the last thing you want is a short power blip with bad batteries in you CM15A. ;)
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