In the interest of keeping as much of this information together as a whole, all provided information has been incorporated together to produce a single document.
The Basics
The basics are to read everything that you can, skip over what is confusing and come back to it later. When you do it will make more sense. Hold off on the software for now. Get as much set up as possible. If the light or appliance modules works in one place but not another don’t worry about that just yet. Just set up what you can. Now go back. If thare is a surge suppressor (This goes for TV’s, A/C’s, Appliances and the like.) plugged it to an outlet that the module is plugged into that doesn't work. Unplug the surge suppressor,TV’, A/C, Appliances or what ever and see if it makes any difference. If it does then you need a filter there. Plug the surge suppressor,TV’, A/C, Appliances or what ever into the filter & the filter into the outlet. (I have filters on all of my surge suppressors,) If it doesn’t make a difference then you might need a coupler or coupler repeater (Leave the filter there). But, what's really needed now is a
MAP of the CIRCUITS and a method to determine / measure the
SIGNAL STRENGTH / NOISE present at each outlet / light fixture. Be sure to check all the outlets that have surge suppressors etc. If needed get a coupler or coupler repeater. (I only needed a coupler). .That's the basics. Once this is accomplished, install your software Remember this is just the basics. If there are
ANY glitches. GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE FORUM and do a search. If you can’t find the answer then submit a post on the forum with your question. Here is a check list :
Quote from: GROUP:comp.home.automation
Originally created and posted on another Forum by TakeThe Active on Sep/05/2004
• Buy an ELK ESM1 X10 signal meter or BORROW one from:
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php?productid=463&cat=0&page=1.
• Buy a handful of X10 filters. The 5 amp ones are usually enough but if you have a lot on one strip use the 15 amp ones.
• Put the filters on all of your computers, TV's, video and audio equipment. If you have any low voltage halogen lights, like puck lights, for under cabinet, in nooks, etc., use one of the wire-in filters to isolate them. They are great noise generators.
• Build a list of ALL of your circuits.
• Put your X10 controller in a "test" mode or get your partner to keep pressing the controller buttons and walk around and measure the signal level at every circuit. Use a screw in lamp plug to check out lighting circuits. When you are doing this you should have a good signal without any noise.
• Do the same thing without any X10 signals. The Elk meter should be dark. Any indication is a noise problem. You will then have to figure out what is causing it. Do things like start the Heat/AC, appliances, turn off breakers, etc., until you find it. I have never had any trouble with appliances, AC, etc., generating noise and since they are always on separate circuits anyway they should not be a problem but something is causing your problem.
• Use a computer based controller that will log valid X10 activity. That will tell you if you have problems with neighbors, or things like the X10 RF modules that have a set of known problems. If you have neighbor problems then you will have to use a X10 filter on your feed.
