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[eiii]

Hello,
I took a lamp module with remote and tried it throughout my home on various wall plugs.  Most worked fine.  Some the light would turn on, but not off.  Some not work at all.  I narrowed it down to 3 surge protectors.  From there I narrowed down further.  Taking laptop out of surge protector then nearby outlets worked.   Taking computer desktop and printer out of another then nearby outlets worked.  Taking Tivo and TV out of another then nearby outlets worked.   All surge protectors had at least three other things plugged in and worked when the above listed items were unplugged. 

I've read many posts on this and my head is spinning.    Would a different surge protector work?  Noise filters?  I don't think I need any coupling or repeater device.  I'm not sure if a signal booster would help.  Please advise.  Thanks!

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

My suggestion would be to buy a single noise filter, unplug all of the offending devices you have found and then plug each one of them in one at a time through the filter.

If the filter solves the problem for that device, chalk it up as one that needs one.

Move through them all and then buy filters for just the ones that the filter actually makes a difference.

Could buy a flock of filters all at once, but if they don't work, why spend the money?

My .2 cents (see I'm cheap!)   

[jtykal]

Are there any issues with plugging multiple A/V components into a surge protector power strip, and then plugging the power strip into a single XPPF noise filter? Assuming, of course, that the total current draw of all components is less than the 5A rating on the filter.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

Are there any issues with plugging multiple A/V components into a surge protector power strip, and then plugging the power strip into a single XPPF noise filter? Assuming, of course, that the total current draw of all components is less than the 5A rating on the filter.

Shouldn't damage anything, or so I would think.

Effectiveness will depend on how the filter and the surge strip's built in filtering, etc. work together.

Translation; "Try it and see!"   

[Brian H]

If you are close to the 5 Amps. Smarthome has a 10 Amp one that I have on my APC BX1000 UPS. I think ACT may still make their 15 Amp one also and it has a user replaceable 15 amp fuse on it in case there is a overload.

[steven r]

...Noise filters?  I don't think I need any coupling or repeater device.  I'm not sure if a signal booster would help.  Please advise.  Thanks!

As others have mentioned or eluded to, every setup is different and whether or not you need filter(s), booster(s) or a coupler will depend on what else is going on in your home.

Other than equipment failure, line signal problems can be isolated to one of these problems:

• Signal suckers
• Noise producers
• Phase coupling

There is way more information on these problems already on the forum than I can even begin to summarize in this one reply.

I went for years with just a boasting signal coupler. Then one day something changed and my signal went poof. I now have filters on almost everything that can suck the X10 signal or generate noise. This includes both TV entertainment areas, every UPS that I use (6 or 7 now) and even the UPS for my fish tank. As a result I have a pretty reliable setup that entertains as well as helps secure my home and reduce unused lights being left on. Many items we take for granted like battery chargers and laptop power supplies suck the X10 signal. I have an outlet strip plugged into a filter for my chargers. I also have filter for my daughter to use when she brings over her laptop.

The point I'm illustrating with my experience is that electronics has become more and more a part of modern life since X10 was first introduced. e.g. X10 has been around long before now common big screen TVs and microwaves. X10 technology even predates cell phones, personal computers and the internet! Needless to say what once was a plug & play setup now often requires patience and a bit of tweaking to get right. As for as home improvement projects go, costs are nominal for most "fixes".

You could start with just one filter but I think you would just find it frustrating as it looks like you have already found three places where filters could help; the desktop, the laptop and the TV.

[s0urc3f0ur]

Are there any issues with plugging multiple A/V components into a surge protector power strip, and then plugging the power strip into a single XPPF noise filter? Assuming, of course, that the total current draw of all components is less than the 5A rating on the filter.

I use a 5 amp filter on my computer UPS(Printer, monitor ,router and modem  plugged in as well) and have had no problems with  my x10signal reliabillity as of yet.

[steven r]

Are there any issues with plugging multiple A/V components into a surge protector power strip, and then plugging the power strip into a single XPPF noise filter? Assuming, of course, that the total current draw of all components is less than the 5A rating on the filter.

I use a 5 amp filter on my computer UPS(Printer, monitor ,router and modem  plugged in as well) and have had no problems with  my x10signal reliabillity as of yet.

Same here. e.g. The UPS for my fish has the light, water pump, air, and both the main & backup heaters all plugged into a 10 A filter. As long as you don't exceed the filter's amperage rating you shouldn't have a problem.

[eiii]

Thanks for all the input.  I'll try a noise filter and plug the surge protector directly into it.  I did have  some follow up questions..

I saw a lot on e-bay, but was wondering if any local retailers sell noise filters. 

I'm trying to add up the amps for the items on the surge protectors.  My lack of electronic skills will show up with this question, but can someone tell me what ampage my computer is using from the following information listed on the case?
AC input 120 - 127V~ 4.0A
50/60Hz 200 - 240V~ 2.0A


Thanks in advance!

[Brian H]

First make sure the filter is the type that works with X10. Many generic filters absorb X10 signals as it is considered noise by many.

[jtykal]

AC input 120 - 127V~ 4.0A
50/60Hz 200 - 240V~ 2.0A

Looks like you answered this question yourself -- the 4.0A number is the amperage of your computer power supply at 120 volts. This translates to ~480 watts, which sounds about right.

watts = amps * volts

[eiii]

I finally got some cash and ordered some x-10 noise filters.  Put my laptop and computer on their own.  Put another couple on wall outlets that surge protectors are going into and now every outlet in my house responds correctly to on/off/dim/bright x-10 signals.  Thanks for everyone's help!     

[HA Dave]

.................... and now every outlet in my house responds correctly to on/off/dim/bright x-10 signals. 

Hey thanks for reporting back!

[m.aly]

Hello, I had some issues same like yours. I have 4 wall switches and dimmers, as well as 2 appliance modules, and a transceiver. I was suffering a lot from noise on the power lines, where the lamps modules were switching on and off by themselves, and at strange times. sometimes devices do not respond to on/off/dim commands.
I changed the house code, and the position of the transceiver, with no help. I did not try noise filters, but here is a strange thing which solved the problem.
I installed a mini timer, and voila ! everything worked perfectly. Seems that the mini timer , in some way, removed the noise from the power line.
By the way, I live in a 220V area, where the UK plug is the standard. May be it is a specific solution to my case, I don't know.


(Removed message from within quotes.)

[HA Dave]

.........I installed a mini timer, and voila ! everything worked perfectly. Seems that the mini timer , in some way, removed the noise from the power line.

It is more likely the mini-timer merely overpowered the noise. All the plug-in controllers put out a nice strong signal.

Having noise on your powerlines is a bit like having a conversation in a noisy room. It can is very hard to be understood. The plug-in controllers doesn't make anyone else stop talking (the powerlines remain noisy) it just yells it's instructions (has a strong signal).

Whereas this may be a solution... you may also run into the other error of misunderstanding. Which would be mistaking the noise for a PLC and a module or light would turn on or off.... seemingly all by themself.