X10 Heavy Duty Appliance Module - HD243

[Xytsrm]

X10 has been giving out HD243's as freebee's with other purchases: apparently they are excess from a Leviton contract, originally intented to be mounted in an electrical box and X10 repackaged them as "modules".

There is an apparent Thyristor (S234K1M) that activates the relay-coil, but I have been unable to locate any reference to the part on several data-sheet web-sites - it must be really obsolete.  I am trying to determine whether the Thyristor is an SCR or a TRIAC.  Does anyone have any information on this part, perferably a reference to a data-sheet, or a cross-reference to a like part?

Many thanks, X

[Brian H]

The lighter duty appliance modules and non dimming switches with the ratchet switch. Use a SCR to trigger the coil. I will see what I can find. I know schematics can be found for the appliance modules are available. Maybe I can find one for the HD model.

[Xytsrm]

Brian,

Thanks for your reply.  The HD model has a toggling-type of latching relay, that's different from the cam-type of the standard appliance relay.  I have found several schmetics for modules on various sites [most notably, http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/].  Unfortunately none of the sites have anything on the HD243.

While I'm aware that the standard AM has an SCR, I wouldn't want to make the assumption that the HD243 is also driven by half-wave.

However, I would really appreciate it if you did find some info specifically on the HD243.

Thanks again,

X

[Brian H]

I agree. The HD243 could be a completely different.

If I don't find much on it. I have ordered one for experimentation from an EBay sale. When it gets here I will share what I may have found and welcome anything you may find also.

[Xytsrm]

Hi Brian,

If you have a suitable 220v outlet and an ISOLATED scope; look at the waveform over the relay coil [if it's half-wave the Thyristor is an SCR, if it's full-wave it's a TRIAC).

The AC Black is the ckt. ground. 

Good Luck,

X.

[Brian H]

I will let you know what I find.

[Brian H]

My HD243's arrived today. Will dig into one this weekend. Though mine may not be up to the latest ones. Vendor said it was unused; but didn't say it was a later production module. It is an "X10 HD-243" by the original X10 manufacturer. BSR (USA) LTD.  ::)  :'(  Date Code 2J41
Also not made in China but Malaysia

[Brian H]

Mine as I mentioned is an older model from BSR.
When I removed the wall outlet from the adapter case it is marked Leviton.
PC Board looks close to what is shown in the 3 Phase Mods found on some web sites.
Components maybe a different manufacturer but maybe the same values.
My Thyristor is a S23412M
My IC is a GI Pico 563C Date Code [I think] 8206 Taiwan
73 Ohm coil connected; between the Red input and one terminal of the Thyristor. Other side of Thyristor is on common Black as you said. I didn't trace the trigger lead.
Looks like a MOV across the coil. I may recheck the MOV placement as it maybe across the Input and not the coil.
My scope showed a single DC pulse to the coil . Negative in my case; but as you know that depends on the scopes connections.

[Brian H]

Later today. I may do more tests and even see how an Appliance Module compairs signal wise.

[Xytsrm]

I have not found any reference to your Thyristor part# S23412M either.

My is a re-packaged Leviton also.  From what I understand Leviton dropped the contract and apparently X10 had excess wall-box mounted units that they re-packaged into a module.

It will be difficult to see the waveform across the coil because it is pulsed (the coil would burn-up otherwise).  The relay is more like a solenoid that flips a toggle-type arrangement.  It would be useful if your scope can store a one-shot event.

X.

[Brian H]

Yes a storage scope would  be nice. Not in my equipment rack.

[Xytsrm]

Hi Brian,

Have you reached a dead-end, or are you still trying to determine the Thyristor type?

X.

[Brian H]

Have not found any data on the thyristor. I may try a disassembly again this weekend and see I can find anything else out.

[Xytsrm]

The Thyristor is either way discontinued, or it was a special run just for X10, with a proprietary part number.  I have checked five datasheet sites and there isn't anything even close.

[Brian H]

Yes it sure sounds that way.
Mine has the original Pico Electronics microcontroller in it.