RE: X10 reliability

[Keith Doxey <keith.doxey@xxxxxxx>]

Steve,

 

There are 2 main reasons why X10 would not work.....

 

1. Interference signal effectively jamming X10 transmissions

2. No signal - caused by something swallowing the transmissions.

 

In either case it appears to be "blocked"

 

If its [1] then the problem will only occur when the offending appliance is running eg. Fridge or Hoover.

If its [2] then the problem can occur either when the equipment is ON or OFF. Some devices have inteference suppression fitted before the On/Off switch and as such it is permanently across the mains even when OFF. To eliminate that device you need to unplug it from the mains. Others have the suppression after tha mains switch so will only cause problems when ON.

 

One further point to note is that any one appliance may not be enough to stop X10 but may reduce the signal strength to a poing where only some modules or locations stop working. The CUMULATIVE effect of several devices may be what is causing the problem.

 

HTH

 

Keith

 

PS Must remember to write an FAQ with this sort of stuff in it.

-----Original Message-----
From: steve [mailto:steve@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 21 December 2000 10:30
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxxSubject: Re: [ukha_d] X10 reliability

PC's on all the time. Oven & washing machine not being used.

 

I note what you say but it doesn't help WAF. When during peak viewing you say 'just switch the TV off for 5 mins'

 

As most appliances cycle i would expect any block to be short lived. Its strange.

Its strange how it can be fine for days. Its strange how it stopps say mid evening nothing i do can get it going and then next morning all is fine.

 

I can see this is going to be a real problem and as i have 16 more modules being delivered today i would like total reliability.

 

Steve.

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Timothy Morris

To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx

Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2000 11:11 PM

Subject: RE: [ukha_d] X10 reliability

Heavy appliances tend to hoover up the X10 signals. The following appliances all cause problems in my house.

 

1. PC

2. Oven

3. Washing machine

 

I know Keith has a scientific explanation for this, but it has to do with the design of the power supplies. They have to be fitted with suppression to stop high frequency noise from entering the mains wiring, and unfortunately those frequencies coincide with X10 control signals. It may help if you add some X10 filters between the mains wiring and suspect appliances - the way to test is to unplug everything, test X10 and then plug them back in one by one until it fails. I seem to remember that Mike Huggins had a deal on his site that if they didn't solve the problem he would give you a refund.

 

Tim.

-----Original Message-----
From: steve [mailto:steve@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 20 December 2000 23:22
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxxSubject: [ukha_d] X10 reliability

Hi,

 

After moving the TW7223 closer to the consumer unit, it made no improvement to my problems. Then i suspected my lynx-10 but as that has been changed to comfort this can be ruled out.

 

I experience a total block that only seems to be evenings but can also work ok for days. My first suspect was the TV but switching this off seems to make no difference. I can't seem to see a pattern to suspect another particular appliance.

 

Is it possible to experiance any block from outside the property. Should i now be looking at a whole house blocker ?

 

Any suggestions please.

 

Steve.

 

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