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[AndrewFH]

I have a phase coupler plugged in with my 220v dryer that has worked fine for quite some time now. Suddenly today it seems to not work. Or at least I can't seem to control devices that are on a different phase than the controller. Does anyone know of someway to test the phase coupler to make sure it is bad before I buy another (and that my problem is not something else)? The device is a SmartHome SignalLinc Model 4816B2.
Thanks for any help.

[Brandt]

unplug for an hour or so, then plug it back in.....

...or stop wasting time with that silly thing and get an xtb-iir 

[JeffVolp]

The signalinc 4816H that I have a photograph of has a .1uF 400VDC capacitor in series with a small 18uH inductor.  400VDC is marginal for a 240VAC line-to-line application.  Most capacitors rated for 250VAC operation are also rated for at least 600VDC.  If yours also has a 400VDC capacitor, it is possible that may have failed.

Jeff

[HA Dave]

I have a phase coupler plugged in with my 220v dryer that has worked fine for quite some time now. Suddenly today it seems to not work. Or at least I can't seem to control devices that are on a different phase than the controller.

We having a saying around here at the forum. When things that used to work stop working... we ask: what changed?

I would guess your dryer-plug (passive) phase coupler still works fine. But if you were to look at what changed... like something NEW plugged in... you may find a noise maker (or signal sucker). Just checking each and every plug is the fastest easiest way to track down that new cell phone charger, laptop power supply, plasma TV... or whatever might be causing noise.

[Brian H]

If nothing changed.
Another thought.
What may have deteriorated. I have seen reports of things like a CFL near death. Causing all kinds of problems.

[Brian H]

Jeff; I have seen other Smartlabs modules using 400 volt caps.

One thing you may find interesting. The original hardware revision, Insteon ApplianceLincs, had a cap across the relay contacts for some protection. My guess was they needed a higher voltage. So they used two in series. Since they where standard caps and not matched. The voltages across the caps was not equal. One would fail eventually, to a resistance. Then the other was not far behind. Next time you turned it off. The Loads current through the now low resistance caps. Stayed ON and most times due to the current started to SMOKE . I had a few smokers myself..
The recall fix was even better. They cut the caps out and left the pads empty.

The later revision ApplianceLincs use four caps. Two caps in parallel. That are in series with a second pair of caps in parallel. With a small resistor in series with them across the relay contacts. If my math is correct. You end up with the total capacitance of a single cap but double the original voltage rating. 

[JeffVolp]

What may have deteriorated. I have seen reports of things like a CFL near death. Causing all kinds of problems.

I have seen metalized polyester capacitors be reduced in value when hit with surge voltages.  Back when I was developing the XTB-II, I used a metalized polyester capacitor in the tank circuit.  While normally operating within its rating, it was hit by voltage spikes while I was developing the transmitter code.  A couple of them were reduced substantially in value - like to about 1/3.  That threw the tuning of the tank circuit off.  It took me awhile to find out what was going on.

Here that 400VDC capacitor is running close to its rating, and it is possible that a powerline transient may have damaged it to the point the series-tuned network is no longer at the X10 carrier frequency.

Jeff

[AndrewFH]

Thanks for the all the suggestions. After continued troubleshooting I am not sure that it is my phase coupler that is bad. I'm still trying to do some additional testing. What I am trying to get working is the ability to control x10 modules from my PC. As noted earlier it was working, but suddenly will not. My first thought was the phase coupler (as the control module connected to my PC is on a different phase than most of the modules), but after further testing, it appears the control module may not be working. The control module is an RCA HC60CRX (essentially a CM11).
When I test communications from the PC is says it can communicate with the module, but no modules respond to commands. Perhaps the CM11 is bad, or as others have suggested something is causing noise.
Back to troubleshooting...

[Brandt]

put the cm11a and a lamp module on the same power strip and see if you can control it in this 'quiet' environment

[AndrewFH]

Thanks pomprocker. That suggestion helped. With the CM11A and a lamp module on the same power strip, I could control the lamp module from the PC. I guess that means there is something that has been added recently that is causing noise. Time to go check all the outlets and see if I can find it.

[Brandt]

Thanks pomprocker. That suggestion helped. With the CM11A and a lamp module on the same power strip, I could control the lamp module from the PC. I guess that means there is something that has been added recently that is causing noise. Time to go check all the outlets and see if I can find it.

adding more noise, not causing noise. Everything causes noise, there is just the straw that breaks the camels back or however that phrase goes...

[Brian H]

Could also be a device that was added absorbing the X10 signals. Most refer to those as a signal sucker.

If you can't find anything. There is a remote chance the CM11As transmitter circuit is dying and placing the test module close to it was enough to make it work.  Was it real hot or smelled by any chance when you unplugged it to use the test strip? There was a hardware revision known to lock up and over heat the power supply.

[JeffVolp]

The original post said that devices on the opposite phase from the controller did not work.  If that is true, it is still likely the phase coupler is not performing as it should.  If the problem is spread across both phases, then it can certainly be a signal sucker of noise source that was added to the installation.

Jeff

[AndrewFH]

In answer to JeffVolps comment, I did originally think the problem was across the phase, but I have since done some further testing and it does not appear that this is the problem. I can control modules on both sides of the phase (using an RF receiver/x10 transmitter module). But if I try to use the CM11A, I can't control anything (unless I put it on the same test strip). That seems to suggest that either the signal from the CM11A is just not strong enough (as the signal from the other transmitter module works fine) or it is weaker and something is causing too much noise. I am thinking I have added something that is causing too much noise as the CM11A did work up until recently (unless as one posted suggested it is just going bad).
The only new device of any sort (x10 or otherwise) I can think of I have added is an XPFM fluorescent fixture module that I added to control my kitchen light. Is it possible an X10 module is causing too much noise? Or is a signal sucker?
I plan to disconnect the device and see if that corrects the problem.

[Dan Lawrence]

I have a XPFM fluorescent fixture module controlling a fluorescent ceiling light in my "Breakfast Room" and there's no noise.  The XPFM replaced an earlier X10 fixture module in the same light that I cannot remember the module's number, it was bought from my local X10 dealer in the late 1980's.   Never had any noise from either.