Light Switch Failure

[BillB]

Recently I've had ceiling lights controlled by X-10 wall switches turning themselves on.  This became so annoying in the master bedroom that I replaced the switch with a regular SPST switch and haven't much missed the automated control.  However the living room lights continue to malfunction this way.

My question is does this represent an expected failure after many years of service?  I checked to see if "other computers' were using the same code and found none.  I also plugged in my XTBM (a great tool recommended to me on this forum) to look for noise that might be triggering the lights, but all is quiet.  So I'm left to conclude that the X-10 switches have aged and become unreliable.

Any thoughts on this?

Bill

[Brian H]

Standard incandescent bulbs in the fixtures?
The X10 switches are the two wire ones?

[dhouston]

Where do you live? Which Electric Utility Company? Have they recently installed Smart Meters?

[Brian H]

Oh yes Dave; Another question we are going the have to add to our troubleshooting list. Smart Meter recently installed by power company.

[dave w]

Recently I've had ceiling lights controlled by X-10 wall switches turning themselves on.  This became so annoying in the master bedroom that I replaced the switch with a regular Any thoughts on this?

Bill

Yes. re-snug the bulbs. I have had bulbs , due to constant thermal expansion and contraction, back their way out of socket enough to cause a loose connection which can cause the switch to false ON.

[BillB]

I am gradually replacing my standard bulbs with compact fluorescents, and the lighting in question has two fixtures, one with a standard flood and the other a CF.  No smart meter just yet.  The switch is the 2-wire type.  I'll break out a ladder and check to see if the bulbs are seated properly.  Is the CF blub causing this?  The bedroom fixtures has standard incandescent bulbs and it was coming on without a command, too.

Bill

[ardhuru]

I think you problem is related to the one here http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=25990.0

Scroll down to post no.3, that might cure the problem. Its also consistent with Bill's observation.

Regards,

Anand Dhuru

[Brian H]

CF bulbs do not work with X10 two wire switches if they are the only load on the switch. Many times leaving one incandescent bulb on the switch with CF's will work. No guarantee as there are so many CF designs. Some work, some don't work or some seem to work but make power line noise.

Also CF's that are not rated to be dimmed. Can sometimes be damaged or damage the switch's electronics.

[BillB]

Good to know, thanks.  I'll upgrade to a 3-wire no-dim switch.

Bill