Home Automation Domotica Forum Europe, Bwired Forum

Hi everyone,

I've installed my first in-wall lamp module this evening and i'm experiencing something i didn't expect.
I think my "earth leak switches" (probably not a correct translation, but i think you'll understand anyway) are blocking X-10.
First, let me explain how my electric installation is built up:

The house has only 1 phase.

From the KWh meter from the electric company things are divided over 2 earth leak switches.

Earth-leak switch 1 contains the following groups:
- Office, 16A
- Kitchen (cooking), 2 x 16A
- Magnetron, 16A
- Washing machine and dryer, 16A

Earth-leak switch 2 contains the following groups:
- Central Heating, 16A
- Lighting, wall sockets, 3 x 16A

Now, it seems the X10 transmitter (TI213, TM13) needs to be connected to the same earth-leak "group" as the receiver (the in-wall module).
If not, commands just don't seem to get "through". I've tested several rooms, electrical groups, and it all comes down to having transmitter and receiver on the same earth leak switch for commands to get to the module.

Unfortunately, 95% of all interesting places for my X-10 are on earth leak switch 2, while my X-10 transmitter is on the other one (the office).
Changing the office to the other earth-leak would help, but that's just a work-around, not a real solution ofcourse.

Is this kind of behavior normal?
And, if yes, what can be done?

Regards,
Robert

It should work - I have a similar setup two earth-leak (aardlek) circuits and many X10 devices behind both aardlek circuits ..... likely weak X10 signals is causing the problem ... going from one group to another group will effect the X10 signal by extra circuit length.

Another source of loosing X10 signal is the present of X10 suckers - so pull the plug of washer/dryer/computer,etc and check if this will improve the signal.

Also don't put the TI213 directly on the same outlet as your computer ....

You may install X10 filter modules on the device sucking X10 or implement an X10 signal amplifier in the meterkast.

another test is a setup to place the transmitter and receiver on different group closer to the meterkast .... reducing the distance and check if this will work.

The best way is to get hold of an X10 signal strength monitor - so getting the real facts on the X10 signal strength distribution in your house.... every X10 installation should do this exercise.

It works...

Plugging the X10 transmitters in a wall outlet as close as possible to the fuse cabinet seems to have solved most problems; so it's probably just signal weakness.

Dish washer seems to be a problem also. Not quite 100% sure yet, but it's under suspicion... Now I'm thinking about installing a SVX10. Any suggestions on where the SVX10 will give best performance throughout the whole house? Near the fuse cabinet i guess?

Regards,
Robert

Yes the preferred location to put a X10 signal amplifier is near the distribution panel .... also put your home controller (CM11,HCB, RF-receiver, etc) at this location -so weak X10-signals transmitted from anywhere in the house will be boosted here. The amplifier has no effect on transmitted X10 signals from the controller those levels are already on a maximum of 5 Volt ....

This amplified will not be helpful for X10 devices far away from the distribution panel and suffering from weak X10 signals (below 100mV). It also depend on the brand of X10 modules (or price level) quality modules will do a better job with low level signals ....

You may consider to put adiitional amplifiers at the far end of your electricity system - but be aware only one amplfier for each house code is allowed ! The SVX10 can be programmed so it will only amplified selected and programmed house codes.

As stated before - only with a signal strength meter you can get a better understanding about the behaviour of your home electric infrastucture on X10 signals..... and discover which appliance / device is demping the X10 signal .....and checking the effect of a X10 filter. (the filter is just a coil of thick copper wire !!)

At the USA X10 forums (hometoys.com) some articles are published by Phil ... explaining the technical background of X10 signals ...

good luck

Henk