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[andyd]

I found out some interesting things over the
weekend. Some of my lamp modules are on one
phase and some on the other.  Normally there
is no problem controlling them all even
though I do not have a phase coupler.  I
found that if my Dell laptop power supply is
connected on the other phase from the Cm15a
then no modules on that phase are controlled.
If I turn on a 220v device, such as the
oven, the devices respond ok.  Clearly the
Dell power supply is injecting noise and
turning on the oven increases the coupling
between phases enough to overcome the noise.

The really interesting thing was that in the
noisy condition with the modules not
responding, repeated rf commands that trigger
macros caused the CM15a to lockup and become
unresponsive to all RF commands, even direct
lamps control commands.

After resetting the CM15a (unplug and
batteries out) it responded properly to
repeated commands with the Dell power supply
unplugged, but locked up with the Dell power
supply connected.  Repeated this several
times with the same result.

I can understand why the modules don't
respond on the noisy phase but I do not
understand why this condition can cause the
CM15a to lockup.  X10 or anyone else have any
idea why this happens?  Is the same problem
causing other peoples CM15a's to lock up?

AndyD

[andyd]

Should have said that is with a timer/macro
load created with 3.169.

[tzd]

I have a very high suspicion that the CM15a
has a low threshold for noise and does not
deal with received signals well.

[X10 Pro]

A constant high level noise could do a couple
things to the CM15A. If it's trying to send a
command, the CM15A waits until the powerline
is clear, and if the noise is constant it
might spend a lot of its time waiting. Noise
that resembles and X10 command or commands
could cause the CM15A to contstantly try to
process the noise as incoming commands.

[andyd]

X10 I don't that that explanation makes
sense.  The CM15a would see more noise when
the phases were coupled by the oven and, if
the problem was caused by the CM15a being
subject to power line noise,the problem
should be worse in that condition.  In fact
the problem goes away.  I suppose I'll have
to connect my scope to see if that's really
true. The only thing that seems consistent
is that in one case the CM15a is able to
communicate with the modules on the other
phase, and in the other case it is not.
Does the CM15a rely on feedback from
controlled modules for proper operation? I
was under the impression that most modules
just listened and that only the 2 way
modules provided feedback.

In any event, none of this should cause the
CM15a to lock up so I hope someone at X10
will investigate further.

[X10 Pro]

Actually, if the noise is coming from the
Dell power supply on the same phase as the
CM15A, it's possible that turning the oven on
and bridging the phases would thin out the
over all level of the noise.

In any case, since you've pinpointed a source
of noise that's causing problems, you'll
probably be able to solve it by isolating or
filtering that piece of electronics.

[andyd]

For the original reported problem the Dell
power supply was on the phase that the CM15a
was not connected to, and was about 50ft
away from the CM15a.  Last evening I
connected the Dell power supply to the same
2 way wall outlet as the CM15a.  I can't get
it any closer than that.  The problem was
not reproducable.  All modules on both
phases were controlled and the CM15a did not
lock up.  The lockup seems to be caused by
the CM15a not being able to control modules
on the opposite phase, not by a high line
noise level at the CM15a itself.

[Noam]

It looks like the Dell power supply is
putting out enough line noise to mask the
X10 signals when they get over to the other
phase, They are weaker by that point. The
signals are strong enough on the phase that
the CM15A is onto not get drowned out by the
noise.

[andyd]

Yes, that seem to be true but the issue is -
why does it cause the CM15a to lock up.

[Noam]

Andy -
My bad. I was only looking athalf. the
problem I can't explain the lockup. Are any
of the modules ont he other phase listes
as "two-way" modules in AHP? If so, perhaps
their "status" messages aern't making it
back to the CM15A (cross phase, with the
interference), and the CM15A "locks up"
while trying to wait for those signals.
Does it still lock up with the Dell power
supply completely unplugged (from any phase)?

[andyd]

Noam - I have a 2 way lamp module that I
think is on the phase remote from the
CM15a.  The rf commands that caused the
CM15a to lockup did not address that module
but perhaps the CM15a continuously checks
its status.  If that is the case then
unplugging the module should probably have a
similar effect.  Neither case should be a
legitimate reason for the CM15a to
completely lock up. It all works fine with
the Dell PSU connect to the CM15a phase, or
when it is disconnected from both phases.

X10 - will you please investigate the CM15a
response if it is continuously unable to get
status from a 2 way lamp module.

[Noam]

Andy - you mentioned that with the stove on,
the signals pass along to the other phase.
Does the CM15A still lock up when the stove
is on? I'm not sure what the answer (yes or
no) would indicate, but if no, the you might
want to try a signal bridge to connec tthe
phases.

[rob]

Just curious -- what is the model number of
the laptop (or what are the specs on the
power supply)... I've got 2.

[andyd]

PSU is Dell TH-09364U-17971-317-075F REV D01,
for a Dell Inspiron 2650.

Not relevant to the real problem which is why
does the CM15a lockup.