X10 Appl. modules half work

[circuit1]

I am having trouble with my appliance modules. They work in some rooms of the house and not in others. Any ideas?  I think the areas that do work are on one buss of the breaker panel.

[Dan Lawrence]

It's a phase problem.  If your main feed is 220 volts, the curcit breakers are wired to give 110 volts on each phase.  To get the X10 signals across both phases, you need some sort of phase coupler.  Do a search here for "Phase Coupling". 

[circuit1]

Thanks Dan for the helpful information. I just ordered a phase coupler and will install it as soon as it arrives and let you know how it works.
Rick

[Dan Lawrence]

One cheap way to bridge the phases is if you have an electric stove is to wire a .90 MF capacitor across the contacts of the stove outlet.  The capacitor bridges the phases (all electric stoves run on 220 Volts) and the stove doesn't even know it's there.  I used that several years ago (like about 1990) when I noticed that some modules didn't set the signals.  My old local X10 dealer sold me the capacitor for about 25 cents.

[Knightrider]

Would that capacitor also be rated at 600 volt AC?

[Brian H]

Actually X10 in olden days recommended a .1uf cap. 600V

Some also added a 18UH coil in series with the capacitor. To roughly tune it to the X10 120KHz power line signal frequency.

The Smarthome Dryer coupler has a .1uf 400V cap in series with a 18UH coil. Across the two phases.
I retuned one to the Insteon 131.65KHz by changing the coil to a 15UH

Before I went with a few assorted couplers and repeaters. I use a .1uf cap rated for Across Power Line use. Yes they UL approved for Power Line Use.
275 VAC rated

[circuit1]

I assume that when you all talk about the capicitor you are talking about the disc type?

[Brian H]

Lots of good data here:
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm

I don't believe the capacitor type was specified. The ones I have seen look more like Mylar.
I am not sure off hand what the material was in the AC Line Rated ones I have.

[JeffVolp]

Most capacitors rated by UL for across powerline operation are metalized polyester film.  Any large electronic distributor carries them, such as Mouser.

I found some ceramic disk capacitors also rated for across powerline operation, but the values did not go up to .1uF.

Jeff