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[EddieG]

Hi All,

Have you ever walked into a room and noticed that one lamp has turned itself on?

Four lamps in the same room have the same code.  Recently, one of them turned itself on during the day.  I didn't see it happen, I only saw it later. 

It doesn't happen very often, and it's not the end of the world, but I can't help wondering what might cause it.  Any ideas?

Thanks.
............

[HA Dave]

Have you ever..... noticed that one lamp has turned itself on?

There are a few [rare] things that can trigger a light to unintentionally turn on/off. Most commonly this is caused by misplaced X10 remotes.       

Four lamps in the same room have the same code.  Recently, one of them turned itself on during the day.  I didn't see it happen, I only saw it later. 

Some of the modules/units have switch sensing. So if someone was to turn the light on (just rotate the normal lamp switch) the light will turn on. 

My wife has turned on a light in this manner... then left it on... so as not to disrupt the normal on/off macros. 

[Brian H]

Appliance or dimmer type X10 module?
Incandescent or another type of bulb. Like CFL or LED?

As HA Dave has pointed out. Some of the X10 modules have Local Control Sensing. The electronics in some LED and CFL bulbs can trigger a module to turn back On.

[EddieG]

Appliance or dimmer type X10 module?
Incandescent or another type of bulb. Like CFL or LED?

As HA Dave has pointed out. Some of the X10 modules have Local Control Sensing. The electronics in some LED and CFL bulbs can trigger a module to turn back On.

All four are dimmer lamp modules.
All have switch sensing.
All have the same house and unit code.
All have 40W incandescent bulbs.
I am the only one who operates the system and the lamps.

Sometimes I find them all on.  That tells me I accidentally left the alarm timer switched on, then got up before it went off.  Finding only one on is strange.
................

[Tuicemen]

Are all 4 lights on the same circuit?
I suspect noise as the culprit. Check to see what else is on the circuit that the questionable lamp is on.

[EddieG]

Are all 4 lights on the same circuit?
I suspect noise as the culprit. Check to see what else is on the circuit that the questionable lamp is on.

The lamp happens to be on the same circuit as, and very physically near to, a PC that I just installed a 1626-10 filter on.  The filter was very effective and solved some problems.  I'm not certain that the other three lamps in the room, which are now behaving well, are on the same circuit or not.

Let's say it's noise.  Maybe something squeaked by the 1626-10.  If the problem recurs, maybe I should install another 1626, this time at the lamp.  Does that sound reasonable?

[bkenobi]

If you are suggesting putting the lamp behind the filter, that won't allow you to control it unless you have the controller behind the filter too.  I don't see how adding a filter would help in this case unless you locate another signal sucker/noise generator that needs attention.

[EddieG]

If you are suggesting putting the lamp behind the filter, that won't allow you to control it unless you have the controller behind the filter too.  I don't see how adding a filter would help in this case unless you locate another signal sucker/noise generator that needs attention.

I am making an assumption.  I am assuming that X10 filters do allow X10 signals to pass, while blocking other non-115VAC signals.  Not so?  This noise issue is new to me, so I am guessing.

[Tuicemen]

You'll need to locate the source of the noise which can be difficult without a meter but not impossible.
Discover all devices on that circuit, devices I've seen turn on X10 are old power tools and refrigerators.
Noise can look like a X10 signal this is why a filter on the lamp won't work

[Brian H]

I know you indicated the bulbs are incandescent.
If it is always the same bulb going on. You may want to try a different incandescent bulb.
I vaguely remember someone here having a noisy incandescent bulb giving them problems.

Since you have the same address in all the modules. If you swap the problem one's position with another module. Does the problem stay on the same outlet or does it follow with the module?

[JeffVolp]

I vaguely remember someone here having a noisy incandescent bulb giving them problems.

A loose incandescent bulb can actuate the local turn-on feature.

Jeff

[EddieG]

I vaguely remember someone here having a noisy incandescent bulb giving them problems.

A loose incandescent bulb can actuate the local turn-on feature.

Jeff

How diabolical!  I'll swap the bulb & sock it down today.

[Brian H]

If the same one still turns On with a different bulb tight in the socket.
You may want to swap the module to another position and see if the problem follows the module or stays in the same location with a different module.