gnome@olivey.olivetti.com (Gary) (07/17/88)
I just tried installing a bunch of X-10 modules and find that they don't seem to talk across from one phase to another. I mean that the modules on one phase of power wiring will not respond to controllers on the other phase. Has anyone out there had this happen and how did you overcome it? How do these beasties propegate their signals? It has to be prop'ed down the pair because there is no ground connection... Gary (hplabs,sun,ames)oliveb!oliven!gnome <PS- I think the ATT's dropping thru-traffic sucks!>
jdg@ncrcae.Columbia.NCR.COM (Jim Griggers) (07/19/88)
In article <25559@oliveb.olivetti.com> gnome@olivey.olivetti.com (Gary) writes: >I just tried installing a bunch of X-10 modules and >find that they don't seem to talk across from one >phase to another. I mean that the modules on one phase >of power wiring will not respond to controllers on the >other phase. > >Has anyone out there had this happen and how did you >overcome it? > >Gary I installed a 0.1 uF 270VAC capacitor in series with a 1/4 A fast blow fuse across the hot wires leading to my clothes dryer. The whole assembly was well insulated with heat shrink tubing and was installed in the main breaker panel. Be sure, however, to turn off the power in the panel and stay clear of the incomming lines. If you are not sure about opening up your breaker panel, get an electrician to do the job. Needless to say, VOLTAGES INSIDE THIS PANEL ARE LETHAL AND SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT. With this addition, I have had no problems transmitting to all modules. -Jim Griggers jdg@ncrcae.Columbia.NCR.COM
syd@dsinc.UUCP (Syd Weinstein) (07/20/88)
In article <25559@oliveb.olivetti.com> gnome@olivey.olivetti.com (Gary) writes: >I just tried installing a bunch of X-10 modules and >find that they don't seem to talk across from one >phase to another. I mean that the modules on one phase >of power wiring will not respond to controllers on the >other phase. The x10's insert their carrier on top of the AC. The depend on the transformer being close and not very big to get the signals to cross phases. However, as X10 customer assistance will be glad to tell you, you can do the same thing by bridging the phases with a capacitor. Remember that you are dealing with PP voltages not the RMS's, so use 400V caps, not 250V ones, but then all you need is a 2uf cap and it will work fine. Bridge hot to hot with the cap, and do it down side of a circuit breaker just in case of failures. I piggybacked mine on a breaker we use for the cloths dryer. -- ===================================================================== Sydney S. Weinstein, CDP, CCP Datacomp Systems, Inc. Voice: (215) 947-9900 {allegra,bellcore,bpa,vu-vlsi}!dsinc!syd FAX: (215) 938-0235
daves@hpcilzb.HP.COM (Dave Scroggins) (07/21/88)
Gary, >I just tried installing a bunch of X-10 modules and >find that they don't seem to talk across from one >phase to another. I mean that the modules on one phase >of power wiring will not respond to controllers on the >other phase. > >Has anyone out there had this happen and how did you >overcome it? Leviton sells a box to solve just this problem. They sell all kinds of neat X-10 compatible things at high prices, including amplifiers, and bridge. Drop me some E-mail and I will forward any info to interested parties. X-10 can also provide the info. (that's where I got it.) Hope this helps, Dave S.