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[clarkkentr]

I have a client with a security system lighting automation card that injects signal into the powerline using the PL513. I have some test equipment and the voltage at the switch is 200mv from the test signal generator. I set the security system to send the appropriate signal and only get 20mv of signal at the switch. Is the security system providing the signal strength or is the PL513? Do I replace the PL513 or the security automation card?

New information:
I replaced the PL513. No help (I didn't get information on the new PL513 voltage output). I replaced the automation card in the security system (Escort 4580 in a DSC Maxsys 4020). No help. Tried the new PL513 with the new card. No help. I'm going back to this client tomorrow. We are considering abandoning the automation card and PL513 for an X-10 timer. I'm not really confident the timer will work in this house. Any help you all can give is greatly apreciated. I will report back my findings.

[Brian H]

The PL513 is the power line transmitter and zero crossing generator for the security consloe.
It is a very dumb interface.
The security console sends a series of pulses to the PL513. The PL513 does the actually transmitting on the power lines.
If you are getting very little power line signals. I would suspect the PL513 or your client recently added something to the location that is absorbing all the power line signals.
If you are getting 200mv of X10 signal at the PL513 and 20mv at an X10 switch. You may have power line problems or your meter is not accurate at 120KHz the X10 small burst are set at.
Note. You have to use a meter capable of reading 120KHz pulses accurately or a real X10 signal testing unit.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm
http://www.davehouston.net/

[Brian H]

I just read your message again
Are you trying to drive the PL513 with a signal generator?
That will definitely not work as the PL513 uses optoisolators for input and output isolation.

[clarkkentr]

Brian, thanks for the reply. I have an XPTT and XPTR test kit. The XPTT transmits a P1 code alternating on and off commands and the XPTR receives the signal and shows the voltage it receives. I plugged the XPTT in where the PL513 is usually plugged in. I got a reading of 200mv at the switch location. I then set up the security system to send P1 commands. I only got 20mv. So I know the security system/PL513 is putting out a much lower voltage. I also tested the switches by setting them to P1. All of the switches turned on and off perfectly when the XPTT was plugged in.

I'm under the impression that the PL513 senses the zero cross point and tells the automation card when to send a pulse. I suspect the automation card is the actual provider of the voltage in the pulse. But I don't know. The PL513 could amplify the pulse.

My first thought is to try replacing the PL513; it's cheaper. The automation card is about $150. I would prefer to make the most educated decision though.

The security module manufacturer technical support didn't know the answer either. He tried to blame the third party equipment at first. When I asked him if this was a guess or truly reliable information he put me on hold. When he got back to me he said he really didn't know.

[Brian H]

The pulses from the console keys a 120KHz power line transmitter on and off.
Since the PL513 and TW523 interfaces use a power line derived power supply. Optoisolators are used for the keying input and the zero crossing output.

The Technical Notes for the PL513/TW523 are available on this web page. The technical notes do have a theory of operation and a schematic of the PL513. Maybe they can assist you.
http://www.x10.com/support/support_manuals.htm#Other

[dhouston]

I plugged the XPTT in where the PL513 is usually plugged in. I got a reading of 200mv at the switch location. I then set up the security system to send P1 commands. I only got 20mv. So I know the security system/PL513 is putting out a much lower voltage.

The documentation I found for the XPTT <http://www.x10pro.com/pro/pdf/xptt_xptr.pdf> says it outputs a 2V signal. It doesn't specify that it's peak-to-peak so I assume it's 4Vpp. Normally, a PL513 outputs 10Vpp so you are probably right that you have a bad PL513.

The security console outputs just the data envelope (1ms pulse at ZC for digital 1). These pulses gate the free running oscillator in the PL513 which sends the 120kHz bursts to the powerline. So the security console should have no effect on the powerline signal amplitude.
 
It would be helpful if you report the XPTR reading with a new PL513 to get an idea how much attenuation is involved.

[clarkkentr]

Great information, thanks! I read the technical notes (thanks also for the link to that). I'll report back with my findings.