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[cnpalmer]

I've read over many of the other topics covering my next few questions and also looked at the articles regarding signal noise and signal suckers.

The 2 topics that are closely related to mine are these:
Unresponsive Switches:
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=13679.0

CM15A & XPD3 Switch Not Working:
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=14368.0

My scenario is pretty similar, running a CM15A & an XPD3 switch controlling a ceiling light. The switch works perfectly fine for local control, ON, OFF, DIM etc. and remembers the DIM setting when turning back ON as well as Softstarts for both ON & OFF functions.

I've tried several modules in AHP to control the switch, none of them are consistent. If I manually turn the light ON from the switch I can turn it OFF from AHP w/o any problem. The switch responds every time. I can also DIM the switch using the module in AHP once the light is manually ON. I cannot however reliably turn the switch ON from AHP. I get it to work maybe 5% of the time to turn ON.

I've also tried using a remote and the module responds in AHP to the remote and the status changes but the light itself will not go ON. I get approx. the same rate of success at turning it on using the remote.

I also know that the CM15A & the switch are on the same breaker from my box. If I turn off the breaker I lose power to both the switch and outlet the CM15A is plugged in to.

I am also using house code of B1 (Bedroom 1) for the wall switch if that makes any difference.

My follow up questions are fairly straight forward:

• What is the correct module to use in AHP to properly control the XPD3 switch (ON, OFF & DIM functions)?
• What would be the most common causes for the switch not responding to an ON command?

I really appreciate any help anyone can provide as I am working on replacing all my other switches in my house this weekend and would like to figure out what is wrong with this one before I move ahead on the other rooms.

[Charles Sullivan]

I've read over many of the other topics covering my next few questions and also looked at the articles regarding signal noise and signal suckers.

The 2 topics that are closely related to mine are these:
Unresponsive Switches:
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=13679.0

CM15A & XPD3 Switch Not Working:
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=14368.0

My scenario is pretty similar, running a CM15A & an XPD3 switch controlling a ceiling light. The switch works perfectly fine for local control, ON, OFF, DIM etc. and remembers the DIM setting when turning back ON as well as Softstarts for both ON & OFF functions.

I've tried several modules in AHP to control the switch, none of them are consistent. If I manually turn the light ON from the switch I can turn it OFF from AHP w/o any problem. The switch responds every time. I can also DIM the switch using the module in AHP once the light is manually ON. I cannot however reliably turn the switch ON from AHP. I get it to work maybe 5% of the time to turn ON.

I've also tried using a remote and the module responds in AHP to the remote and the status changes but the light itself will not go ON. I get approx. the same rate of success at turning it on using the remote.

I also know that the CM15A & the switch are on the same breaker from my box. If I turn off the breaker I lose power to both the switch and outlet the CM15A is plugged in to.

I am also using house code of B1 (Bedroom 1) for the wall switch if that makes any difference.

My follow up questions are fairly straight forward:

• What is the correct module to use in AHP to properly control the XPD3 switch (ON, OFF & DIM functions)?
• What would be the most common causes for the switch not responding to an ON command?

I really appreciate any help anyone can provide as I am working on replacing all my other switches in my house this weekend and would like to figure out what is wrong with this one before I move ahead on the other rooms.

For the "soft-start" redesign wall switches, it appears the geniuses at X-10 made them incompatible with the models in AHP.
Try programming the XPD3 as a LM14A.

[cnpalmer]

Thank you for the tip!

I setup my module in AHP using the LM14A as well as the WS12A. Both operated the same way, intermittent success for the switch to receive the ON command.

So I played around a bit more and discovered this... if I turn the switch ON manually I can control the OFF function as well as the DIM function from AHP w/o a problem using either module.

But what I discovered that is new is if I send the OFF command from the module in AHP and the switch starts to shut down (I can watch the softstart slowly dim the light) I can send an ON command any time before the switch is completely OFF and the switch will respond and turn back on to full brightness.

Would this "weak" signal as I'm gonna call it require me to get some kind of X10 signal amplifier installed at my breaker panel to solve my issue?

[Charles Sullivan]

Thank you for the tip!

I setup my module in AHP using the LM14A as well as the WS12A. Both operated the same way, intermittent success for the switch to receive the ON command.

So I played around a bit more and discovered this... if I turn the switch ON manually I can control the OFF function as well as the DIM function from AHP w/o a problem using either module.

But what I discovered that is new is if I send the OFF command from the module in AHP and the switch starts to shut down (I can watch the softstart slowly dim the light) I can send an ON command any time before the switch is completely OFF and the switch will respond and turn back on to full brightness.

Would this "weak" signal as I'm gonna call it require me to get some kind of X10 signal amplifier installed at my breaker panel to solve my issue?

Now I'm wondering if X-10 has made yet another unannounced change in the wall switch.  Please try programming the switch as an Appliance Module (AM468) and see how it responds to straight On and Off commands.  If the "On" is still flakey, the problem is most likely a weak signal.

[cnpalmer]

Now I'm wondering if X-10 has made yet another unannounced change in the wall switch.  Please try programming the switch as an Appliance Module (AM468) and see how it responds to straight On and Off commands.  If the "On" is still flaky, the problem is most likely a weak signal.

I am almost positive it is a weak signal of some sort or that noise is introduced on the line when the light is OFF but not when the light is ON. I searched the X10 Wiki page and found a link that described exactly what is happening. Although it is not a 3-way switch, I suspect this is what is happening... Link: http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Switch_Turns_Off_But_Not_On

If that is indeed my problem, what device can I install that will amplify the signal, would that be the XPCR that I would need to install? Is there just a device to amplify the signal and not repeat it as well?

I will still test out the light using the other module and let you know how that test goes. Thank you again for your help! This has got to be oe of the more user/community based forums I am a member of!