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[Joel B Crabtree]

I have a mixture on my X-10 network. 6
sockets, 4 modules, 2 dimmers and a
coupler/repeater. My problem is one of the
sockets, on an individual circuit out of the
breaker box, chatters but never goes on. The
other socket, on that same circuit, turns on
and off just fine. Anyone run into this type
of situation?

[Kenneth Herring]

I haven't, personally. It may be a defective
unit. Why don't you swap-it-out with one of
the others that DO work and see if you can
repeat the problem at that same location. If
it works, you know it's probably a defective
unit, but if it doesn't, there must be some
other reason, which isn't discernable, as of
yet.

[Joel B Crabtree]

Thanks for the fast response. Did just what
you suggested yesterday. The problem stayed.
The problem socket, when moved, works fine.
I do not think it is a problem with having
two sockets on the same electrical circuit.
I have two sockets on another electrical
circuit and they work together fine. Next
try will be to use a module, set to the same
address, in the socket in question. Any
other suggestions will be greatly
appreciated.

[Brian H]

Does it chatter with no loads in the socket?

[Joel B Crabtree]

Good suggestion Brian. To answer the
question, it does not chatter with no load.
I also put a module, set to the same
address, in the non-controlled side of the
socket and it works fine. This would lead me
to believe the X-10 side is defective. I'll
switch it out with another brand new socket
and update latter. Old house, small outlet
boxes equals 10 pounds of bull in a 5 pound
box. I also checked the socket with my handy
3 light tester to see if I wired it
correctly. I get 2 yellow lights on the
tester which means, per the legend on the
tester, it's wired correctly.

[Brian H]

Maybe the wires where pushing on the back or
side of the module. It is a mechanical click
switch inside it, or the load maybe
triggering the  Local Control. I think the
sockets have local control, if not ignore me.

[richard s.]

I have a similar problem and talking to an
old X-10 user for at least 25 years, he said
the problem is the module has a sense line
that will re-trigger the module ON if you
cycle the load OFF then ON. This allows you
to turn a light ON when the X10 control has
not been sent. However, this "feature" can
cause relays to chatter when there is any
disturbance on the line - it goes ON and OFF
because of this sense line in the control IC
of the X10. My friend told me the original
modules had a jumper on the board you could
cut to defeat this "feature". But, all the
modules currently being sold do not have
this jumper and you have to cut the sense
lead of the IC.
Anyone know which pin this is? I want to
defeat this feature for my application but I
do not know which pin to cut.
Thanks for any help.

[Brian H]

My Appliance modules had the jumpers and I believe the lamp ones also did. Try http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm The site has all kinds of data on mods and fixes.

[Brian H]

OH yes some other brands are set to local
control on or off by sending commands to it
by a maxi-controller where House Code and
Unit Code can be sent with out the ON or OFF
at the end of transmission.

[bert]

I have the same problem as Joel, and am
interested in a solution.  I replaced the X-
10 receptacle with a new one and it worked
for a few weeks, but then it, too, started
chattering when I try to turn it on and it
is difficult to get it to stay on.

[Brian H]

Bert; Standard type load? I have seen reports of the mechanical ratchet switch getting cranky and chattering when actuated. I think the electronics checks if it is on when commanded to be on and if it thinks it is off it tries again.

[Mystyx]

sounds like your near max load of the X10 module and is prematurely burning it out after a couple weeks.