Lamp/Appliance Module not working in 1 room - Help Needed

[RichardJay]

Hi

I started with a few bits of X10 and have been expanding over the years, the module codes seem different to the ones discussed on here - maybe it is because they are UK modules???   It is a pretty simple setup with a TM13U RF Receiver in the lounge, a couple of LW10U Wall dimmable light switches and then some AM12 and LM12 Appliance and Lamp modules.  Control wise I have a couple of the HR10 palm remotes and a CM12U computer controller running Active Home.

The system works pretty well on the whole, but I have tried to add a module to a bedroom and it just won't work.  I have tested the module in other rooms, they work fine, tried different appliance and lamp modules in the bedroom - nothing???

Does anybody have any ideas why they would not work in just this room - it is plugged directly into a wall socket without any extension leads etc.


Thanks for your help

Regards

Richard

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

Hi

I started with a few bits of X10 and have been expanding over the years, the module codes seem different to the ones discussed on here - maybe it is because they are UK modules???   It is a pretty simple setup with a TM13U RF Receiver in the lounge, a couple of LW10U Wall dimmable light switches and then some AM12 and LM12 Appliance and Lamp modules.  Control wise I have a couple of the HR10 palm remotes and a CM11A computer controller running Active Home.

The system works pretty well on the whole, but I have tried to add a module to a bedroom and it just won't work.  I have tested the module in other rooms, they work fine, tried different appliance and lamp modules in the bedroom - nothing???

Does anybody have any ideas why they would not work in just this room - it is plugged directly into a wall socket without any extension leads etc.


Thanks for your help

Regards

Richard

I'm not sure what the electrical codes are like in the UK, but you most likely have some type of ground-fault interrupter circuit in the bathroom to prevent people from being electrocuted.  That is likely the culprit.

[RichardJay]

Thanks for the quick response!!

Units work OK in the other bedrooms and the electrics in the bathroom, being an extractor fan and electric undertile heating, are on a seperate circuit on the mains consumer unit.

Could there be anything else???

P.S. You guys in the US get loads more X10 stuff and it is soooooo much cheaper than here!

[Dan Lawrence]

Thanks for the quick response!!

Units work OK in the other bedrooms and the electrics in the bathroom, being an extractor fan and electric undertile heating, are on a seperate circuit on the mains consumer unit.

Could there be anything else???

P.S. You guys in the US get loads more X10 stuff and it is soooooo much cheaper than here!

That's because X10 USA won't sell to England or Europe due to differing electrical standards.  Anything X10 for there is custom engineered for the particular area.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

Thanks for the quick response!!

Units work OK in the other bedrooms and the electrics in the bathroom, being an extractor fan and electric undertile heating, are on a seperate circuit on the mains consumer unit.

Could there be anything else???

P.S. You guys in the US get loads more X10 stuff and it is soooooo much cheaper than here!

My apologies!  The first time I read your post, I thought you said in a "bathroom"        

[HA Dave]

There is a ton of information here on the forum about Phase problems, signal suckers, and noise generators. You will also find information about repeaters, phase couplers, and filters. This information may..... or may not relate to your problem.

But... since you did mention that the unit prices are higher in the UK you may want to try a simple tests before you spend. There is also plenty of information here about trouble shooting and circut mapping.

I would 1st try putting a transceiver in the bedroom (on a different house code) and see if they worked then. A "cheap" simple solution could be a nightstand plug-in remote.

[JeffVolp]

Several months ago a fellow in the United Kingdom purchased the 240V 50Hz version of the XTB-II to solve his X10 reliability problems.  The initial unit worked fine with his older X10 modules, but did not work with the newer X10-2 modules sold by a company in Hong Kong.  His XTB-II was updated to provide 3-phase transmission, and then the X10-2 modules began working.  I received a status report from him last night that said everything has been working great since then.  So, that may be something to consider here.

Jeff

[TakeTheActive]

...My apologies!  The first time I read your post, I thought you said in a "bathroom"        

If he meant bathroom, then he would have written loo.

[TakeTheActive]

...The initial unit worked fine with his older X10 modules, but did not work with the newer X10-2 modules sold by a company in Hong Kong...

Do you have more details on these "X10-2" modules (to narrow down a GOOGLE SEARCH)?

Thanks!

[Dan Lawrence]

A GOOGLE search resulted in this link: http://www.letsautomate.com/index.cfm?Nav=X10    It's a UK company and X10-2 modules are listed.

[JeffVolp]

Do you have more details on these "X10-2" modules (to narrow down a GOOGLE SEARCH)?

Here's the link I have:

http://x10-hk.com/store/index.php?cPath=21

Jeff

[yvabi]

Hi,

           I have the same problem, only on one circuit, with a wall switch module and an appliance module
I'm in Canada, i have a CM15A interface.I tried on every other circuit and it works fine.
I don't think it's a phase couple problem because it would be the same on some other circuits.

Still searching!!

[yvabi]

Very weird!!

      These modules where installed a month ago and everything was working fine an then nothing.
Now i just tried them again and they work!!!

Any ideas?

[HA Dave]

I have some ideas.... but don't assume they are right, for your setup. All setups differ, although most problems that do occur are generally comman ones.

Here at my home my laptop can disrupt service to two modules. Both are appliance modules and both are on the same circut as the laptop. It doesn't matter if the laptop is on or not... it's the power adapter/transformer that causes the problem.

My wife's cell phone charger, causes a similar problem when left plugged in, on a smaller scale.  I also have a lamp with a thick magnifying lens surrounded by a fluorescent lamp. It has a large transformer and will also disrupt a couple modules, so I don't leave it plugged in.

[yvabi]

Not sure but i think i found the problem.
I found another module not working, i can light it up but not off and no diming either so i
turned on the oven and the module works. i have my answer, i need a phase coupler!
The only thing i wonder is it only started  after a month?

Thanks for your help