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Chris,
Most of the problems with X10 are either 'lost signals' or
interference
blocking a signal - but these tend to be more of a problem with 'lonely'
X10
modules (eg. AM12 AW10) on separate spurs round the house. Using DIN
mounted modules and having them all in the same place near your X10
transmitter
helps a lot. Also, it's sometimes a good idea to send multiple X10
commands ie. send the same command a few times to ensure the command is
done. Although, depending on the size of your system, this could make
things worse - with too many X10 signals being broadcast.
I too was thinking like you when I first started planning my
system.
AD10s look quite expensive when you compare them to DIN rail mounted
relays. I was considering using DIN rail mounted latching relays, so
I
could still use momentary switches to control them and have the switches
match
those controlling LD11 dimming modules. But, once you start playing
with
an AD10 module with something like Comfort or HomeVision then there's
nothing
quite like it.
I'll give you some examples of what I'm using AD10s for:
Kettle control: two single boxes - one with a socket with the switched
supply from AD10 and the other with a 2 gang face plate with a momentary
switch
and a neon indicator (fed from the switched supply) The kettle is
filled
and the AD10 switched off with the momentary switch. When I want to
boil
the kettle I can use Philips Pronto to tell HomeVision to 'force ON' the
AD10. The same setup could be used for other appliances.
Oven/Hob control: Electric oven control is similar to above, but
AD10
controls a 30A contactor. With the oven on X10 control I can turn it
on to preheat when I'm coming home (via Web or Comfort phone
menu). I'm also putting the gas hob on an AD10 so I can turn off the
gas
supply to the hob. I did this because I've got a 2 year old son who's
more
into gadgets than me and is always tinkering with buttons and switches -
and I
didn't want him to be able to turn on all the gas taps on the front of the
hob
and end up filling the house with gas and blowing us up! I could have
controlled this via a relay, but when you think what you can do if you use
an
AD10 then there are obvious advantages. ie. on the toilet etc... and
left
the spuds on to boil over. Well simply use a Pronto to turn off the
gas
via HomeVision or Comfort. (but not turn it on!) You could even
get
Comfort to switch off the oven/hob if a heat or smoke detector is
triggered.
Outside power sockets: several outside sockets fed from an
AD10. As well as for general power use around the garden I plan to
use the
sockets at Christmas for Xmas lights. I can then automatically switch
things on/off using X10 either using a Pronto or from a schedule.
I've wired quite a lot of things like this - underfloor heating,
dedicated
socket outlets for certain appliances, air con in bedroom, external
lighting.
You could argue that it could all still be done using relays
controlled via
L/V from Comfort or HomeVision, but as you start adding equipment you'll
soon
run out of outputs. Keep these outputs for 'critical' controls such
as
heating, sprinklers etc... and other applications where an X10 failure
would
cause problems.
As for your last question. (BTW you've got a very similar layout
to
me) There's no real reason that Comfort HAS to be positioned in your
boiler room as X10 signals should propagate throughout your house
wiring.
However, if there were any problems you could always run a spur from
Comfort's
X10 transmitter down to your boiler room.
Regards,
Simon
PS. When you choose lots of DIN rail mounted modules you're
going to
need a large unit to put them in. If you get stuck finding anything
suitable I stock 54 way (3 x 18 way) enclosures with transparent door and
optional lock.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: 24 November 2001 18:24
Subject: [ukha_d] Din Mounted Mains
Relays for lighting control verses AD10s
I'm
sure this has been discussed before, but I'd apreciate to hear a fresh
round
of debate on this point. I'm doing a complete rewire on the house - so
there's
two choices for control of lighting: X-10 or Mains relays. Either way we're
gonna use a star pattern as this provides maximum longterm
flexibility.
I
figured LD11's are hard to beat for their versatility, but for switching
fluorescents, or applicances why spend £40 on an AD10 when I can have DIN
mounted relays for under a tenner? Of course a mains relay like this will
need
to be CAT fived back to the HA interface, but aren't relays more reliable
than
X-10 anyway?
So
here are my three questions:
1.
All things being equal in a star wiring pattern - would you go for DIN
mounted
relays or AD10s?
2.
Are there any obvious gotchas when hooking up manual (rocker type)
wall switches for local control if I go for the DIN
mounted relay option? Suppose for example I need two way control
for
the lights on the stairs?
3.
My consumer unit and DIN rails are all in the boiler room next to all the
HVAC
stuff. The boiler room is also very well sittuated for running wires almost
anywhere. However, Node Zero (Comfort, AV gear, Data Hub, Telephony etc) is
in
a large cupboard in the centre of the house. Given that I first need to
make the choice between AD10's verses DIN mounted mains relays - is
there
any particular advantage to having Comfort located close to the DIN
rails
in the boiler room rather than in Node Zero.
Thanks for your help
Chris
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