hto wrote:I'm curious if anyone from the UK has had a go with this in 2-wire mode, with a wiring setup like this:
http://www.x10-hk.com/store/manual/plcb ... 67s-2w.pdf - I have quite a few of these PLCBus modules installed in the ceiling (or in the light fitting itself, which is very neat), which offer a reasonably good setup, but it does not have some of the benefits of z-wave (it does not report its status when switched locally, for example, so it always has to be polled - not ideal with PLCBus as the control unit buzzes when it polls).
Essentially, this wiring setup is a normal UK one - the module can not be installed behind the wall switch as it is only a switched live (no neutral). I have a momentary switch (normally closed) on the wall, and the unit knows that if I use the switch to break the circuit, it toggles its status from off to on or vice-versa. Can these modules do this?
Thanks!
You can install the Fibaro dimmers behind the switch but not the relay modules as they need a neutral wire. I am in the UK with standard live + swithed live behind the switch I have the dimmers installed this way. You can squeeze the module into a 35mm back box but 45mm is a much nicer fit. I had to replace some of my back boxes with 45mm which was not a 5 minute job as all the walls are solid brick (no plasterboard here).
I'm using MK Grid momentary switches as the inputs, but you can also use bi-stable switches no problem. There is a parameter to change the switch type.
To use the relays (switches) in a lighting application where there is no neutral wire at the switch you would have to install them at the light fitting location assuming the neutral wire is present in the ceiling. In the UK it is normal for the ring to loop from one ceiling rose to the next with the switch wires running from the ceiling rose to the switch. For this setup, you would need to move the switched live at the ceiling rose from the lamp to S1 on the relay. Connect live to L, neutral to N, link L and I and connect the lamp live to O.
From experience this is a lot easier to achive for the upstairs lights when access is available from the loft. I was in a friends new house a few weeks ago that had 8 downlighters installed in the kitchen when the house was originally built 1 year ago. I expected the ring connection point for the switch to be behind one of the downlights but after removing all 8 fittings it became obvious that this was not the case. The connection point was actually located in the next room and to get access to it we had to remove a section of the bedroom floor. Not funny.
Paul..
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