Split Electrical System

[Doyle]

I'm putting together a Video/Alarm system for a business and I'm stuck on what to do about their Electrical system.  Their store used to be 2 stores, they just knocked the wall out.  They still have 2 breaker panels, 2 hot water heaters, 2 HVAC's, 2 water supplies, etc.  How do I go about coupling the 2 breaker panels to get signals from one side to the other?  Is this even possible?  ....or would I need to get some kind of repeater?

Doyle

[steven r]

...How do I go about coupling the 2 breaker panels to get signals from one side to the other?  Is this even possible?...

First test to make sure the X10 signal is blocked between the 2 stores. (You might be lucky and have enough of a signal to boost.) If the power line signal is blocked, you might be able to create an RF bridge between the 2 stores. I believe some here have done it in their home situations.
If you haven't already, check out Jeff's information and trouble shooting pages. (Jeff, would you post a link?) Also consider some of the exceptional products that he sells to help with signal transmission.

[JeffVolp]

My troubleshooting series is here:

http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm

Of particular interest would be the one on phase coupling.

If the two stores share the same utility transformer, all you may need is a passive coupler in the "driving" store.  If they are fed by different transformers, then you can use two additional passive couplers to couple the stores together.

Another fellow had two distribution panels with independent feeds from a common utility transformer.  However, each panel had a PZZ01 blocking coupler, so it really was two private X10 systems.  Passive couplers tied the two systems together.

Jeff

[Doyle]

Thanks for the information.  I'll toss this at the electrician and see what he thinks.

Doyle

[Deemar]

Easy. Use a RR501 transceiver and send the signals to the other side of the store with a CM17A Firecracker.

[coffindweller]

Jeff, thanks for posting that link.

Per Steven R's advice, I've gone back to the store and tested all of the outlets with a remote, a TM751, and an AM466.  Also took a SC546A Chime module.  I tested with E first and then again with A.  Good news is that all but 3 of the outlets will talk to each other.  Of the 3, 2 are side by side at the front of the store and one is back in the bathroom.  Those 3 outlets will receive ON but not Off commands and sending commands seems to be blocked to the rest of the outlets.  Oddly, those 3 outlets talk with each other just fine.  The SC546A Chime, which they do want to use, does not work anywhere.

I don't have a clue about those 3 outlets, will ask their electrician about that, but for the rest of the system I'm thinking that there's probably a lot of noise on the lines.  The business is located in a strip mall and right next to a restaurant.  Noise filters??  I just don't want to end up isolating the 2 breaker panels.

One other question I have is about the Industrial grade extension cords/power strips they have.  The X-10 signals are blocked completely by them.  Modules plugged into the same power strip can talk to each other but not to another outlet.  I've never seen this before.  Any ideas???

Thanks in advance, Doyle

[Brian H]

If the power strips have a noise filter in them. An X10 signal is considered noise and is filtered out or blocked. So yes many power strips do kill or block X10 signals.

[steven r]

Split personality as well as Split Electrical System? You had me a bit confused by the name change. 

...Modules plugged into the same power strip can talk to each other but not to another outlet.  I've never seen this before.  Any ideas???..

Surge strips are know signal suckers of the X10 signal.