Re: X10 lamp modules

[Keith Doxey <keith.doxey@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Ray,

X10 COULD engineer a dimmer module so that it didnt have a
"sacrificial
fuse" as you so accurrately put it, but you wouldnt like the solution
:-((

LUTRON and other High End manufacturers DONT have fuses.
They use fast acting MCB's to trip in the event of a fault, however an MCB
isnt quick enough to protect the kind of triac in an X10 module. They use a
massively over-rated triac and hope that it will survive any shorts in the
time it takes the breaker to pop.

X10	Rated for a 600W load (300 for a Lamp module)
Rated Max Load 1 or 2 amps
Cheap 6 or 8 amp triac and a fuse ....cost of bits about a pound.


Hi-End Typically rated for 2000W or 10 amp load
triac rated at 40 Amps or higher protected by a 10 amp trip
cost of those two parts...about =A316-50

Thats without all the other bits you need to make a dimmer, and without and
profit for the manufacturer and installer.

Basically, you pays your money, and takes your limited choice. :-((


Keith Doxey
http://www.btinternet.com/~krazy.keith
Krazy Keith's World of DIY Home Automation


-----Original Message-----
From: Raymond [mailto:Reb.barnett@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 07 February 2000 12:03
To: 'ukha_d@xxxxxxx'
Subject: [ukha_d] Re: X10 lamp modules

Because the X10 documention doesn't point out how frequently they can
blow. No other fuses blow in my house - they are there to protect
against wiring faults and overloaded circuits. Keith explained there is
a good electronics reason for wanting the fuse to blow, but I'm
surprised X10 aren't able to engineer some way of protecting the
circuitry without relying on a sacrificial fuse.


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