A request for advice - X10 switches, controller, phase coupler.

Started by Kevinst, January 20, 2024, 03:39:28 PM

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Kevinst

Hi Folks,
I am new to this board as of today and although i am familiar with residential wiring, i am an X10 novice.

I've had a few x10 switches and controllers installed for a number of years working fine.   
Three single pole switches that control lighting on my shop, 55 feet from the panel in my home. The shop is fed from the home panel  (240V/60A underground).   The lighting being controlled is a mix of  exterior incandescant and LED lamps.

Recently these switches began acting strangely, worked intermittently (and separately) and finally stopped working all together.
I had:  Qty 3 WS467 switches,  Qty 1 PMC01 controller and 1 XPCP phase coupler.

I replaced all this equipment with Qty 3  WS469, 1 new PMC01 and 1 XPCR phase coupler/repeater/amp and still having problems.
Switches are set as A1, A2, A3.    Controller set to A  1-4.

The phase coupler is connected to A and B phase and neutral, red wire unused.  I have 240V at the separate breakers feeding the coupler.
I (think ?) i've connected this correctly so i am confused as to what is causing my problems.

I've added a considerable number of wifi connected devices over the years and recently upgraded to an EERO 6E Pro router with 2 additional wifi repeaters. (2.4, 5, and 6E GHz) .  I mention this just in the event this could related to the issues i am seeing.

Any advice is appreciated.
thanks in advance.

-Kevin




Brian H

Jeff at JV Digital Engineering.
Has a great set of X10 troubleshooting tutorials.
They may give you some information.
https://jvde.us/x10-troubleshooting/
I would think maybe on an X10 noise maker or signal X10 signal sucker.
Power supplies on our electronics can be a cause.
You could temporarily disconnect devices and see if things change.
Turn off a breaker in the house and see if something on that circuit is causing issues.
Any existing electronic devices moved to a new location?

Kevinst


Kevinst

Still intermittent performance. All three switches will come on/off.   an hour later only one works.
very odd.

brobin

Does everything work when the LED lights are off? How about when they are on?  LED lights can cause interference when on and as they age, can cause problems even if they didn't before.  Also, wall warts (chargers, power supplies for various items, etc,) can cause interference as they get older. Also, laser printers, PC's, battery backups, and even TV's can cause interference. Anything new in the house?

Kevinst

i was up very eary this morning before the house was in full operation. Before TV was on, before oil burner or mini-splits engaged, etc.
all the lights worked perfectly. 

i am thinking there is some sort of interference as you folks have mentioned.

brobin

Once you track it down you can put a filter on it.  Given what you described it's probably not a wall wart since those would be plugged in 24/7.

Brian H

Almost all TV's these days.
Are in standby with the power supply still connected and running.
In those tests. Best to unplug them.
Along with any other devices always in standby.
Most new filters these days are the X10Pro XPPF that is five amp.
Occasionally you can find Smarthome 10 Amp Filterlinc, Act AF120 15 Amp on auction sites.
JV Digital Engineering still has a limited run of their XTB-15F+ filters on their site.
https://jvde.us/xtb-f10/

glacier991

The XPCR in a 240 v split phase setup uses the red and a black connection to a 240 v circuit breaker. If you did not connect the red to one leg and a black to the other it is not installed correctly. May be unrelated to your problem.

Brian H

Since the XPCR can also do three phase 208.
In a split phase setup. The second black wire is not used and should be taped to insulate it.
Red has to be used as it also supplies the power to the electronics.