John.Geary@ofa123.fidonet.org (John Geary) (07/11/90)
To any one that can help, I require the pricing on the x-10. From what I can understand from other messages the x-10 will turn on and off appliences. How durable are they? I have a comercial application for them and require a PC to turn them on and off. If any one can help please post a message or call me at 266-5312 and ask for John. Thanks in advance. -- John Geary Internet: John.Geary@ofa123.fidonet.org BBS: 714 544-0934 2400/1200/300
gordon@prls.UUCP (Gordon Vickers) (07/11/90)
In article <740.269A7AA3@ofa123.fidonet.org> John.Geary@ofa123.fidonet.org (John Geary) writes: >To any one that can help, I require the pricing on the x-10. From what I can >understand from other messages the x-10 will turn on and off appliences. How >durable are they? I have a comercial application for them and require a PC to >turn them on and off. If any one can help please post a message or call me at >266-5312 and ask for John. >Thanks in advance. > I have used the X-10 system (at home) for no less than four years and have been satisfied with thier performance and reliability. I would not recommend using them for most comercial applications. The X-10 system is limited to switching AC loads only and the switching modules (if I remember correctly) have a relitively low rating for current (four or five Amps I believe). The X-10 control console sends simple, modulated messages over existing A.C. power lines. There is no error detection. The receiving modules have no means of transmitting information back to the control console, so all control messages are assumed to have been transmitted, received, and decoded without errors. In the commercial and industrial environments, these units are not likely to be reliable. Electrical noises on the powerline can interfere with (corrupt) the X-10 messages. This same randomn noise can also be mistaken by a receiving module as a valid control signals ! The likelyhood of such errors increases significantly if there are other "carrier current" devices within the same building unless these devices are seperated from the X-10 components by a power transformer. The devices most likely to interfer with the X-10 are: light dimmers, certain wireless intercomms, motor speed controllers, and some computers. I design systems for remote data collection and equipment control in industrial environments. Gordon Vickers 408/991-5370 { ames, sun }!atari!facv01!gordon Signetics in Sunnyvale,Ca (USA) or {mips,pyramid|philabs}!prls!gordon Earth is a complex array of symbiotic relationships: Every extinction, whether animal, mineral, vegetable, or cultural hastens our own demise.
jbd@osf.org (Bruce Dawson) (07/12/90)
In article <40960@prls.UUCP>, gordon@prls.UUCP (Gordon Vickers) writes: > In article <740.269A7AA3@ofa123.fidonet.org> John.Geary@ofa123.fidonet.org (John Geary) writes: > > How durable are they? I have a comercial application for them and require > >a PC to turn them on and off. > > I would not recommend using them for most comercial applications. Has anyone used the "more reliable" Leviton PCC series and care to comment on their reliability in real applications? They are X10 modules that are designed for the commercial market. --Bruce
grege@gold.GVG.TEK.COM (Gregory Ebert) (07/12/90)
I got some X-10 dimmer modules which replaced conventional light switches. After awhile, they got increasingly difficult to turn on/off locally. It drove my wife bonkers, so they went bye-bye. Maybe I'll put them in my workshop. A few years ago, I put an appliance module on the copier at work. Whenever this particular yuppie-business-weenie put a stack of papers in the loader, walked out, and expected his 15 copies of a 40-50 page document when he returned, it 'mysteriously' stopped at page 2. Eventually he waited at the machine. I'd usually let him do 4 or 5 copies, then CLICK. Stupid moron never figured it out. I will attest, that even under brutal punishment, the appliance module always worked fine. There are some very expensive new homes being built in my neighborhood. Gosh, it sure is tempting to install a few of these things before the walls get sealed-up......