Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[mienhmario]

I have series of questions regarding my x10 products.


I have question about the XTB IIR. To install a XTB IIR, will i need a coupler/repeater like the XPCR to make it work? I have about 16 circuit breakers all aligned into 2 columns, 8 in each column. Where and can i suppose to mount the XTB IIR?

I was going to hire an electrician to install the XPCR in the circuit breaker box. I build my own home from the ground up, so would you think i have the capabilities to install this myself? I learned how to install wall switch and doing alittle electric work here and there, nothing major. Does anyone have a picture of how they install it and mount it? Because, an electrician told me nothing can be hanging from within the circuit breaker box, only beside it.

[JeffVolp]

The XTB-IIR is in itself a coupler/repeater, and a XPCR should not be installed along with it.  The XTB-IIR wires to a 240V circuit.  If your electrical panel is full, you can probably replace some full-width breakers with half-width "skinnies" to free up room for a 240V circuit.  You may also be able to use a quad breaker in place of two normal size breakers.  Those will feed two 120V circuits and one 240V circuit.

If you can install outlets, just install a 240V receptacle adjacent to your distribution panel, and wire a matching plug to the XTB-IIR.  If you are not comfortable working around the distribution panel, you should certainly consider hiring an electrician.  By code, nothing can be installed inside the distribution panel, not even the XPCR.

Jeff

[mienhmario]

Thank you for the reply, Jeff. I kind of understand you, just alittle. I'm from California, USA. I still need a 240V? Can anyone provide some pictures of how they install it and mount it to their circuit breaker box? That could really help since i am seriously thinking about ordering the XTB IIR, but i am alittle hesitant because of my limited knowledge on these stuff.

[JeffVolp]

I kind of understand you, just alittle. I'm from California, USA. I still need a 240V?

Virtually all of North America is on a split phase 120/240V system.  Either side of neutral is 120V, and across the two "hot" legs measures 240V.  Most circuits are on either one phase or the other.  An electric stove, dryer, or hot-water heater will straddle both legs so it can receive 240V.

To better understand how this works, please see this troubleshooting tutorial:

http://jvde.us/x10/x10_couplers.htm

Of course, things may be different in California.  I understand they are considering outlawing black cars because they need too much energy to air condition.  Did they outlaw 240V to save energy?

Sorry, but I don't have any photos that show that level of detail.

Jeff

[mienhmario]

Thank you for the reply, Jeff, again. What kind of 240v Amps would i need? Would that be a 3 wire 240v? What gauge wire would i use? What kind of receptacles would the XTB IIR require?

After installing a 240v breakers, would it look something like this?

[JeffVolp]

Instructions on how to connect the XTB-IIR are included with the unit when shipped, and they can also be found on the XTB website.

Because of the questions you are asking, I really think it is best if you hire an electrician.  240V is not something to fool around with when you are not certain of what you are doing.  Even after working around electrical systems all my life, I am very careful when working in a live panel.

Jeff