Would it be easier to get a smarthome switch that is already capable of communicating with the "Inline Insteon" ? I dont own any X-10 tools and from a lot of reports and problems i've already had with X10 I wouldnt mind avoiding it.
dillscon,
We're really opening up Pandora's box here. As you mentioned, there are a number of competing technologies out there.
Being that you are an Electrician/Installer, the answer to your question depends on what you and your customers want in terms of home automation.
- If price is paramount, X10 is the low cost option and offers more devices than most of the newer technologies. However, the price of the install is not only the cost of the individual switches and sensors, but the cost of couplers, repeaters, filters, etc required to make the system reliable in a real world environment. If I were a X10 installer, I would have a real problem with a small installation (I.E. a coupler of switches and a remote). It would be difficult to justify, to the customer, the ancillary hardware (filters, couplers) required to make a simple install reliable. Without these, the system may work fine. Unfortunately, all it takes to mess things up is a few cheap CFL's, a cell phone charger, or that new A/V system.
- The Leviton line of X10 switches are an improvement over the older X10 brand. These have many additional features (preset dim, extended code dim, scene control-grouping units into a scene) and are quite a bit more expensive. They still use the X10 protocol and, although they use AGC (automatic gain control) which helps a lot in high noise environments, they are subject to the same basic noise and signal level problems as the X10 brand.
- Insteon (Smarthome) devices are one rung up the ladder. Most Insteon devices are backward X10 compatible. I have them mixed with both X10 and Leviton brand units. They offer many of the same features as the Leviton line along with a bridge to the Insteon protocol. The Insteon protocol is far most robust dual mode (RF and powerline) communication protocol. If you're interested there's a white paper here: Insteon Compared. If things sound to good to be true here, they are. Insteon has some of it's own problems and limitations. I have a post on a number of these (including the lack of a credible controller) here: Alternative
- Leviton Zwave - I'm not sure where to put these on the ladder relative to the Smarthome units. I suspect they are again a step above. They are definitely more expensive in terms of the unit price and the price for the REQUIRED controllers needed to program them. Zwave uses a RF communication protocol, so power line noise is not a concern. I have no experience with the RF range of these devices. If you are interested in the Zwave workings, have a look at KenM's posts over at AccessHa.com (Ken was a developer and a huge proponent). The AccessHa site has been shut down (officially) but you can still access the posts here: AccessHa ZWave
Mind boggling isn't it? Now, if I haven't completely turned you off HA, for your second question -
Would it be easier to get a smarthome switch that is already capable of communicating with the "Inline Insteon" ? I dont own any X-10 tools and from a lot of reports and problems i've already had with X10 I wouldnt mind avoiding it.
From what I understand of your customer's install -
- You have a chain of 6 lamps with 2 XPDF's wired to operate 3 lamps each.
- The XPDF's are hardwired to the powerline (no interrupting switch between the XPDF's and the panel).
- You have 2 XPT bases, each set to operate 1 of the XPDF's.
- Your customer wishes the lamps to "remember" their previous dim level
With the above configuration, you should be able to replace the XPDF's with the Smarthome InlineLinc in order to achieve the preset dim function (remember the dim level).
You should be able to operate the InlineLinc in X10 mode with the existing XPT bases.
You could also replace these bases with a Smarthome Insteon switch and operate in either X10, or Insteon mode. The Insteon switch is capable of controlling a load, but in your configuration the "controlled output" would be capped (use it as a transmitter). For this install, I'd recommend operating in the Insteon mode (unless you have other X10 devices in the house) due to it's better noise immunity, faster communication, and transmission retries.
Since the InlineLinc needs to be programmed (in either X10 or Insteon mode), you'll need access to the unit to activate the programming sequence. This may not be easy in the actual install. Since you already have a "test bed" at your shop (a really good idea by the way), consider programming both of your InlineLinc's prior to the actual install.
Finally - Let your customer know about the type of install you are giving them. With either the XPDF or the InlineLinc they will ONLY be able to use incandescent bulbs (a CFL could really screw up this installation). Explain to them that plugging in certain types of devices can interfere with the communication (Insteon is better but not infallible). Put another way, an informed customer could be a great asset for you.
Remember the old adage - Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink "cold beverage" all day.
Keep us updated,
Boiler
