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[bocityguy]

I contacted support to see if I could use a conventional dimming wall switch with an x10 inline xpdf at the light fixture.
They told me yes but couldn't refer me to any info.  So, to be on the safe side I added the xpdf at the fixture with a standard on/off switch on the wall.

Here's the deal. The xpdf is working but switching the light switch on and off, does nothing. Am I missing something?

ALSO....CAN I USE A REGULAR DIMMER SWITCH ON THE WALL WITH THE XPDF IN LINE? 

Thanks!

[Boiler]

I contacted support to see if I could use a conventional dimming wall switch with an x10 inline xpdf at the light fixture.
They told me yes but couldn't refer me to any info.  So, to be on the safe side I added the xpdf at the fixture with a standard on/off switch on the wall.

Here's the deal. The xpdf is working but switching the light switch on and off, does nothing. Am I missing something?

ALSO....CAN I USE A REGULAR DIMMER SWITCH ON THE WALL WITH THE XPDF IN LINE? 

bocityguy,
Welcome to the forum.

In the off position, your wall switch should be interrupting power (black lead) to the XPDF and preventing it from operating.  Something is incorrect in this installation.  Is this a 3-way circuit?

To be honest, I'm not sure why you need the XPDF when you already have a wall switch.  Wouldn't it be easier to replace the wall switch with an X10 unit?

If you could provide some additional details in your installation, including the number and colors of the wires at your switch and light location, it would be helpful.

Boiler

[dave w]

I contacted support to see if I could use a conventional dimming wall switch with an x10 inline xpdf at the light fixture.
They told me yes
ALSO....CAN I USE A REGULAR DIMMER SWITCH ON THE WALL WITH THE XPDF IN LINE? 

Thanks!

bocityguy

There is something wrong with this picture.

IF X10 support told you, that you could expect a XPDF to work when being fed from a standard wall dimmer, either they did not understand your question, or it was their first day on the job.

IF the XPDF is between the feed (the line from breaker) and the dimmer and the output of the dimmer goes to the light,  it will work.

But if the XPDF is between the dimmer and the light (as it would be if installed in the fixture itself) IT WON'T WORK.

[bocityguy]

Here's the deal. I live in a "recognized" historic home and can not have modern looking switches. If x-10 made a regular looking switch, (like the expensive togglelink)  all would be well. This is why I've tried the inline modules.

Ideally I would have overhead lights tied to occupancy sensors but would like the option of hitting the switch when I walk in the room. (in case a macro is set to dim or off). I have installed one xpdf and one xmf. Both have a regular on/off switch at the wall. I assumed that they would work like a lamp module so if I flicked the wall switch off and on, the light would come on but neither one seems to do that and finding a comparison of modules etc. seems impossible on the site.

So, perfect world would be the ability to manually dim from a wall switch (conventional) but still have sensor/dim control via interface etc.

Suggestions?

[dave w]

To get the light to come ON from the wall switch requires the switch to be electrically located between the X10 module and the light. In other words the switch has to be on the output line of the module that feeds the light.

[Boiler]

Here's the deal. I live in a "recognized" historic home and can not have modern looking switches. If x-10 made a regular looking switch, (like the expensive togglelink)  all would be well. This is why I've tried the inline modules.

Ideally I would have overhead lights tied to occupancy sensors but would like the option of hitting the switch when I walk in the room. (in case a macro is set to dim or off). I have installed one xpdf and one xmf. Both have a regular on/off switch at the wall. I assumed that they would work like a lamp module so if I flicked the wall switch off and on, the light would come on but neither one seems to do that and finding a comparison of modules etc. seems impossible on the site.

So, perfect world would be the ability to manually dim from a wall switch (conventional) but still have sensor/dim control via interface etc.

Suggestions?

OK, I think we're a bit more "on board" with your installation desires.

As Dave_W indicated, placing a XPDF between your mechanical switch and the load (your lights) simply will not work.  The XPDF requires power to communicate with whatever controller you are using.  In your current configuration when you turn off your mechanical switch the XPDF looses power and communication capability.

Placing the XPDF in front of your mechanical switch will restore power and allow it to activate the lamp when your mechanical switch is activated (it should turn on to the last programmed level).  The XPDF also has a "local control" capability.  This means that if the XPDF were set to an "off" state, and your mechanical switch was turned on, the XPDF would sense the load and activate.

If you can't place the XPDF between your existing mechanical switch and the line input, or you want to actively control the dim level from the switch, the togglelinc may be your best bet.  As you noted, they ain't cheap.

Boiler