george@flight.UUCP (George Rachor x65135) (07/25/89)
I have had a lamp module become defective after having a light on the circuit burn out. I have heard that if the light burns out and shorts during burnout that a specific component is destroyed. Anyone know what this component would be and where I could get a replacement? Thanks, George Rachor Jr. george@flight.hf.intel.com
dgrif@hpfcdj.HP.COM (Dan Griffin) (07/27/89)
I just recently had this happen to me and I was able to successfully
replace the TRIAC (if you don't know what this is, take your X10 unit to
someone who does). :-)
The TRIAC is the only component in the unit that is exposed to any
appreciable power levels, and it is directly in series with the light being
controlled and the 120VAC mains. Therefore, a high current surge such as
happens (sometimes) when a light bulb burns out will open or short the TRIAC.
In my case the TRIAC shorted, so the light could not be controlled to the off
state. I purchased a generic replacement TRIAC from the local electronics
store at a cost of about $3.00 (including tax). Be sure to get one that is
rated to withstand 600 Volts in the off state and has an on current capability
of at least 4 amps. The control (switching) current and voltage requirements
are fairly loose. The original X10 modules were rated at 300 watts and had
TRIACS that were really at the minimum margin for the application. (i.e. They
would never stand up to the HP environmental stress test) :-)
A little careful dissasembly and soldering iron work should put you back
in correct operation.
Dan Griffin
Hewlett Packard Company, Graphics Technology Division
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
griffin%hpfcla@sde.hp.comroyf@attctc.Dallas.TX.US (Roy Frederick) (07/27/89)
In article <189@flight.UUCP>, george@flight.UUCP (George Rachor x65135) writes: > I have had a lamp module become defective after having a light on the > circuit burn out. I have heard that if the light burns out and I have repaired 2 lamp modules that failed in that way. The bad component was a triac. I replaced it with a 6 or 8 amp 400 Volt plastic unit I got at radio shack. Pinout was the same as in the module. It was a chore to repair the modules - but they were out of warranty. X-10 warrants the modules for 6 months - and will repair for $2 (??) within that period. Note: they must be genuine X-10 modules to be guaranteed. Some Radio Shack and other modules were made in Taiwan not by X-10 - they are not warranted. Roy Frederick (royf@attctc.UUCP) Dallas County Data Services (214) 653-6340 504 Records Bldg. Dallas, TX 75202
michael@xanadu.COM (Michael McClary) (08/12/89)
In article <189@flight.uucp> george@flight.UUCP (George Rachor x65135) writes: >I have had a lamp module become defective after having a light on the >circuit burn out. I have heard that if the light burns out and >shorts during burnout that a specific component is destroyed. > >Anyone know what this component would be and where I could get a >replacement? Sometimes it's a semiconductor that fries, but there's a little loop of fuse wire on the pc board of (at least some) X-10 modules. Trace the circuit and see if that's what popped before investing in semiconductors. (You can replace it with a single strand from a lamp cord.)