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[bob cohen]

For over a year I have used lamp modules
(LM465) to control table lamps using
compact fluorescent bulbs. However, when I
tried to install those bulbs in outdoor
fixtures controlled by wall switches
(WS467) the lights flickered and could not
be turned on or off by my computer using
Active Home software or by the remote
controllers.

In the case of both the lamp and wall
switch modules the instructions
say "incandescent only." Why are the
fluorescent bulbs ok for lamp modules but
not for the wall switch?

[SteveRF]

Bob,
I also have a couple of CFL lamps controlled
by a LM465 and an X10 outdoor Flood that has
2 outdoor CFL floodlights and have no
problem.  I only send ON and OFF to those
lamps but do not have any CFL's on a X10 wall
switch.  I have see some "Dimmable" CFL's at
a local chain hardware outlet.  Maybe they
will work on your WS467 ?
SteveRF

[Decline to state]

Technically, CF bulbs are *not* okay with
lamp modules.  YMMV.

[Brian H]

Technically they are not. The dimming device
[a triac] can be damaged by such bulbs.
Reason the wall switch will not work. Only
two wires on the switch. It steals a small
amount of power [even off] through the lamps
fillament. CFLs don't have that ability.
Lamp Modules have both the hot and neutral
power on their pins so stealing through the
lamp is not used. You can get special
switches [X10s WS13A for one] that will do
CFLs or Low Voltage lights. NOTE! That type
of switch need the neutral wire inside the
wall switch box.

[roger1818]

Brian and DTS are correct, you should not use
CFLs with any type of dimmable module.  It
might seem to work with a LM465, but you will
probably have problems in the long run.  An
appliance module is a better option, but some
CFLs have a problem with them in that the
sense current for local control (also in the
LM465) causes the CFL to flicker when off.
Optimally this should be disabled (there are
web sites describing how to do this) since
the local control won't work with CFLs anyway.

[Some EE]

Bob Cohen -

The reason Lamp modules will work with a
Fluorescent because the switching mechanism
is a relay.  The Wall switch is a Triac
switch.  The triac needs current from the
bulbs to function.  You could wire a
Fluorescent and a Incandescent in parallel
and the wall switch will work.  It's a cheap
hack.

[Brian H]

No the Lamp Modules have a triac. The
appliance modules have a mechanical switch
in X10s and relays in Smarthomes.

[roger1818]

I am curious how you would dim a lamp using a
relay.  Maybe you could switch it on and
off really fast.

Seriously though, Brian is correct, lamp
modules use a triac (for those who are
interested, the part number is BTA10-400C),
not a relay.  Some EE is partially correct
though and the wall switch (the whole circuit
not just the triac) needs a small current to
travel through load to power the circuit
since they don’t use a neutral wire.  That is
why the load needs to be at least 60W.