Re: UK Wall dimmer reliability

[Raymond <Reb.barnett@xxxxxxx>]

I too had reliability problems with X10 a while ago. At apparently
random periods all X10 signals seemed to disappear (3 modules with 1
controller - modules stopped responding). I thought I had a faulty
controller. However I traced the fault to occurring when a 300W halogen
uplighter had been on for a while at a dimmed setting. My uplighter was
connected to a CM12U, which nominally should cope with 300W. However,
Andy of ISCAM systems doesn't regard the power handling of X10 modules
too highly, and recommended an LD10 which is rated to 700W. I swapped
the uplighter to one of these and the problem has not surface again. I
suspect that running the CM12U at 300W on dim for an hour or so stresses
it (heat?) and it started jamming X10 signals on the mains wiring.

The LD10 has the advantage of supporting memory dim which makes for much
smoother dim control, provided you've got the space to hide the module
away somewhere.

Ray.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: timmorris@xxxxxxx [mailto:timmorris@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 18 July 1999 13:51
> To: REB.Barnett@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [ukha_d] UK Wall dimmer reliability
>
>
> Either I have been very unlucky, or there is a question mark over the
> reliability of the UK X10 stuff.
>
> I have had X10 installed for about 6 weeks now and have had
> problems with
> 3 universal modules and 3 wall dimmers as follows.
>
> 1 Universal module DOA, would not respond at all to any X10 signals.
>
> 1 Universal module used to control a remote door release fine
> for 4 weeks,
> now dead. (Local control works, but will not respond to
> remote signals)
>
> 1 Universal module which responds perfectly to signals sent through a
> CM11U, but only 80% of the time to signals sent from an IR
> 543 module, so
> it would seem that the IR543 puts out less power.
>
> 3 Wall switches, respond fine when cold, but if set at 50%
> for say 4 hours
> will not respond to any X10 signals. All the dimmers are
> controlling mains
> voltage halogen (dimmable) bulbs 300W on 2 of the circuits
> and 200W on the
> other. I should mention that I have a 4th dimmer controlling 300W of
> halogen bulbs which functions perfectly, on exactly the same
> spur as one
> which is erratic.
>
> All this in a small single storey 10m x 3m dwelling. All the
> mains sockets
> are on a single ring, and the lights are on 4 spurs.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Tim.
>
>
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