Need help with PHASES

[jsnone1]

Ok, so I can not control any light modules, camera power supplies...etc... other than the room I have my CM15A plugged in at. So I ran an extension cord all the way down stairs and into the garage....and PRESTO.....now I can control modules in every room . So I thought....ok, all the other rooms are on a different phase. So I purchased and installed the plug in Signal Coupler (Model 4816A2) from SMARTHOME, it is plugged in at my dryer.

Nothing...........I still have the same problem!!!

So now what?! I know there is the wireless USB extender, which is what I am leaning towards right now......do I have any other options?

[BVD]

Try this and let me know what happens. Unplug the phase coupler, plug the dryer back in and start it up making sure to use a heat cycle, and try your device.

Till Later Bob

[jsnone1]

Try this and let me know what happens. Unplug the phase coupler, plug the dryer back in and start it up making sure to use a heat cycle, and try your device.

Till Later Bob

ok, will try i tnow....give me a couple minutes

[jsnone1]

still not able to control anything in the other rooms.....just the room I am in

[BVD]

Could you give me a call @ 740-862-2616 and we will discuss other possibilities

[jsnone1]

Could you give me a call @ 740-862-2616 and we will discuss other possibilities

thanks for your help over the phone..........what we discussed would work for the most part.....main problem is being able to switch between cameras.....PLC is used for that when you click the camera name, or "GO LIVE", so I still gotta get this workin the way it is suppose to!!!!

[jsnone1]

Could you give me a call @ 740-862-2616 and we will discuss other possibilities

Im going to try the coupler at the Circuit box....maybe you could email me a "how to" on it? thanks!!!
jsnone1@msn.com

[PajamaGuy]

another $0.02

Take a look at Jeff Volp's XTB-IIr.  It not only couples phases, it amplifies (smartly) X10 signals.

[Boiler]

Ok, so I can not control any light modules, camera power supplies...etc... other than the room I have my CM15A plugged in at. So I ran an extension cord all the way down stairs and into the garage....and PRESTO.....now I can control modules in every room . So I thought....ok, all the other rooms are on a different phase. So I purchased and installed the plug in Signal Coupler (Model 4816A2) from SMARTHOME, it is plugged in at my dryer.

Nothing...........I still have the same problem!!!

So now what?! I know there is the wireless USB extender, which is what I am leaning towards right now......do I have any other options?

jsnone1,

It's unlikely that all of your room circuits are on the opposite phase from your CM15a.  Additionally, the fact that bridging the phases with the Signalinc and the 240V dryer did not improve communication implies that you have a signal absorber or noise source between the CM15a and your units.

Prior to adding more hardware, do a bit of inspection to determine which phases your devices are on and where possible problem devices may be.  The schematic below was posted as part of Jeff Volps tutorial on couplers and repeaters.  It shows the phase connections used by most panels.  Working down the left side of the panel, adjacent breakers are on opposite phases (circuit 1 and 3).  Circuits 1 and 5 are on the same phase.



Once you have determined where your X10 devices are located, try moving your CM15a around to different breakers within the house.  Also try disabling breakers with suspect loads (PC's, TV's/Stereo, etc) to see if performance improves.  If you do see and improvement, you'll need to start unplugging devices to see which is the offender (noise/absorption).  Offenders are candidates for noise filters.

In the end you may still require a coupler or repeater.  However, mapping your circuits and tracking down offenders while your system is in a "simple state" will pay dividends down the road.

Jeff Volps tutorial on couplers/repeaters is located here: Passive Couplers and Repeaters.  It is by far the best presentation that I have seen regarding phase coupling (Kudo's Jeff).

Boiler

[Brian H]

My old breaker box is different [yes my luck] .
Mine is three breakers on the left and three on the right are all the same phase.
Then the next three on both sides are the other phase.
Sequence repeats one more time three on one then three on the other.
I have six breaker positions next to each other that are on the opposite phase. 

[Boiler]

Brian,

I a word - WOW.  I've never seen a configuration like that.  It really makes you plan your panel out ahead of time.

We I said most panels were laid out like Jeff's example I was thinking that some of the newer panels use 1/2 height breakers.  The half height units place adjacent breakers on the same phase.  Can be confusing I you can't see the main panel grid.

[dave w]

My old breaker box is different [yes my luck] .
Mine is three breakers on the left and three on the right are all the same phase.
Then the next three on both sides are the other phase.
Sequence repeats one more time three on one then three on the other.
I have six breaker positions next to each other that are on the opposite phase. 

What is the brand?

[Brian H]

Federal Pacific of Newark N.J. 'Federal NOARK'

[BVD]

http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/stlou022.gif
If your breaker box looks anything like the one at the above link I would be replacing that "bad boy" yesterday if not sooner!

[Brian H]

BVD; Thanks for the heads up. I will give it a closer look soon.