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[CU]

I have an XPFM2 that I'm trying to install in an overhead fixture.  Here's what it currently looks like:


There are two pairs that come in, each in their own Romex.  I tried to separate those out in the graphic but I'm not sure if that was clear.  The red is a wire nut.

And for reference, the XPFM's instructions:



I wired it up like this:



When I powered the circuit on, the CFL barely started to flash, so I powered the circuit off and returned everything to how it was originally.

What am I doing wrong?

[Brian H]

In the original setup. Is there a manual wall switch controlling the light fixture?
I believe you have a switch loop with one of the Romex Cables.

Do you have a test meter and can use it safely?

The Black spliced to the White maybe the Line being routed to the switch and the Black from that pair maybe the switched line to power the light.
If you do have a manual switch is it ON?

[dave w]

CFL flickering when the XPFM is off, is probably caused by "Local Control" feature leaking voltage through the CFL. I do not know if X10 has updated the old XPFM to stop this, as they did with the new" "CFL Friendly Appliance Module". You can shunt the local control sensing circuit with a 4 or 7W night light, across the fixture. This is likey impossible in your situation.

An alternative is to wire a resistor across the fixture. I am not going to provide the resistance or the wattage the resistor should be, because this does not meet code (a proper wattage "flame proof" resistor is safe IMHO but wiring it the fixture isn't code). If you want to do this you will have to search the forum for the proper resistor values. You might also call X10 Pro to see if they have "CFL Friendy" XPFM modules.

[Brian H]

dave w made a good point. Try a old fashioned incandescent light bulb. If it works then it is the On/Off sensor inside the XPFM causing the CFL to pulse.

[CU]

In the original setup. Is there a manual wall switch controlling the light fixture?

Yes, which will be taped in the ON position if/when I get this set up correctly.

Do you have a test meter and can use it safely?

Yes and no.  I have no problem testing continuity when the power is off, but touching 120VAC with multimeter leads scares the crap out of me.

CFL flickering when the XPFM is off, is probably caused by "Local Control" feature leaking voltage through the CFL. I do not know if X10 has updated the old XPFM to stop this, as they did with the new" "CFL Friendly Appliance Module".

Ah that could be.  I'll have to wire it up again and try the incandescent trick, but I don't think I have any more incandescents laying around.  Would an alarm clock radio be about the same?  Or maybe a space heater?  I'm trying to think of the "simple" loads I have laying around...

Also, what's the part number for that appliance module?  The only X10 appliance modules I see besides this one are the plug-in.

[Brian H]

The XPFM is the wired in appliance type module. The others as you have seen are plug in.
The plug in ones where modified for CFLs. I don't think the XPFM ever had local control but I maybe incorrect.
They do have a very small current on the output. So the electronics in it know if it is On or Off.

Clock radio may work.
Space heater would be a  heavy load. Should work as long as it didn't trip the breaker if the lighting circuit was near capacity.

[CU]

Was busy, finally got around to emailing X10 Pro support.  Got this rather disorganized boilerplate reply:

If you are having Local Control problems with holiday lights, adding a single string of incandescent lights is usually the easiest solution.

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Local_Control_for_Lamp_And_Appliance_Modules

Questions

What is the local control feature on the Lamp and Appliance Modules?

Why does my Lamp or Appliance Module turn on immediately after being turned off?

Why does a low-wattage light connected to my Lamp or Appliance Module flicker after being turned off?

Why does the LED power light on my appliance or charger glow dimly or flicker after being turned off?

Why do I still measure some voltage moving through my module when it is off?

Answer

The local control feature allows you to turn on the Lamp or Appliance Module without the use of an X10 controller. To use this feature, turn the physical switch on the device being controlled to the OFF position, and then back to the ON position. The Lamp or Appliance Module detects the change and turns on. This is a handy feature when you are sitting next to a table lamp, but the remote is out of reach. Note: This feature will only turn the Module on. If you repeat the process--thinking that the Module will switch off--the Module will remain on. In order to turn off the Module, you will need a controller to send the off command via the house wiring.

   Local Control Problems
There are two possible issues that relate to the local control feature.

   Faint Blinking
Local control works by sending a tiny pulse of current out, just enough to tell if current can get through. It is possible for LED lights or other low-power lights to blink faintly because of this.

   Will Not Stay Off
Local control senses the electrical resistance in the connected lamp or appliance. If it sees a change in resistance, the Module will turn on. Some devices (older fluorescent lamps do this often) have internal components that dissipate power for a couple of seconds after they are turned off. This "trailing charge" can make the Module turn back on right after it is turned off.

   Disabling Local Control
It is possible to disable the local control feature of an Appliance Module by plugging a "cube tap" or cheap multi-outlet extension cord into the Module. Do not use a surge protector for this. Now you can plug two items into the same Module. Plug a 7 1/2 watt incandescent night light into one of the receptacles of the cube tap or extension cord and the appliance you want to control into the other. When the Module is on, the appliance and night light will be on. When the Module is off, the appliance and the night light will be off. Now, even if you operate the power switch on the appliance, the night light is always "in circuit" so the Appliance Module"s local control circuit is disabled.

Since wiring a night light in my ceiling is pretty much impossible, I'm stuck with a fixture I can't automate.

Or does anyone have any other suggestions?

[CU]

X10 Pro email support has been excellent so far and suggested adding a 5 watt resistive load in parallel with the CFL, or switching to halogen.  Gotta think about this one...

[Brian H]

Many have had luck with adding a 33K 1 watt resistor across the load.

[dave w]

FWIW
I bought six 33K 3W film resistors off Ebay for 5 bucks, including shipping. They worked great at stopping a ceiling fan from turning back ON after the controlling Appliance Module (hacked for wires) was sent an OFF command. The 3W don't even get warm.

A synapse just fired. CU are you in the US? I thought the XPFM2 was a 240V 60Hz unit, and I usually think of ceiling fixtures being 120V. Something ain't right(?).

[Brian H]

Good catch dave w.

The XPFM2 is a 220 volt unit and not made for 120 volt uses. As its power supply is designed for a 220 volt power line.
XPFM is the 120 volt model and also seems to be on the Discontinued List.

[CU]

Good catch indeed; it is 240V whereas my circuit and bulbs are only 120V.  I didn't even see that on eBay.
Still, I don't think that would resolve the local control problem.

[Brian H]

I don't believe XPFMs have Local Control. The flashing you are seeing is probably the am I On or Off sensing circuit.
The 33K resistor or a small load like X10 suggested would still be needed. You know that a different brand CFL may not exhibit that flashing problem.

[CU]

X10 says XPFM has local control.  So it's either than and a resistor or hacking an appliance module.

[Brian H]

You are planing on getting a XPFM? As your original XPFM2 is 220 volt and will not work correctly on 120 volts.

I got out an older date code XPFM {05A05} and it does not have local control. Toggling the local switch of a light controlled by my XPFM does not turn it On.
It does have the small sensing current that detects if the module is On or Off. That small current can make some CFL and LED bulbs pulse.

Things maybe different with present ones.

If you modify a Appliance Module. Make sure it is a CFL friendly model.