Re: Garage Light

["rb_ziggy" <richard.boreham@xxxxxxx>]

A few points to consider here.

First if you are using a big halogen flood then an LD unit almost
certainly is unsuitable (not rated high enough and unsuitable for
loads that should not be dimmed).  Use the Appliance module -
probably AD10 Din rail mounted which is rated to 2kW.

You can then switch the X10 unit from the house using any X10
transmitter.  For example the Infrared Receiver unit (IR7243) or
indeed the various wall X10 RF switches + RF receivers. Thus, X10 is
used to signal switching on & off the unit from the house at all
times (i.e. no need to run more cable to the separate garage).

If you do want a physically connected switch (in the garage near the
light & AD10 perhaps) then the AD10 provides for such direct
switching.  Note, you will need a 'momentary' type switch to do this.

However, I'm potentially a bit confused over additional use of the
PIR.  If you have this separately in the circuit in series (say
already holding the supply off) then clearly switching on the X10
will still have no effect.  This is unless, your PIR & Light is
combined and has the ability to externally switch on & off the unit
without the PIR having been activated (I'm not too familiar with
these flood units).  Only by having the X10 switch and PIR
in 'parallel' could you achieve an either/both switching scenario.  I
cannot recall having seen this in mains AC wiring and have a nagging
nasty feeling that this may be very unwise - suggest you consult a
proper electrician on this!!!

For the PIR case above, and the point you raise on using the PIR to
send an X10 signal, you might be able to use the SM10E 'Powerflash'.
This can send an X10 signal when contacts are closed/open. Presuming
your PIR has contact closures / low voltage switching then this may
be the answer; use X10 to switch on/off in all cases.  Note, if the
PIR switches 230v it will be unsuitable for the powerflash, you will
need a low voltage unit instead.

Hope these options help.

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, Richard Sillitto <richard@xxxxxxx; wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> Well I've dipped my toe into the world of home automation - my fish
> tank lights are now controlled via X-10 - what fun being able to
turn
> the lights on and off from my computer!!
>
> So, I can't stop my self planning what else to automate (as funds
allow...;-)
>
> What I want to do now is fit a standard security flood light to the
> wall on my garage (which is detached from the house). I have mains
> there already, so no problem with that.
>
> I have a separate PIR which will be switching the mains as is
usually expected.
>
> I also want to be able to X10 control the light, and so have an
LM12
> light module which I was going to install in circuit.
>
> So far so good. I've come to the conclusion that it would be useful
> to be able to switch on the light irrespective of PIR and X10
control
> both from the Garage and from inside the house (from a light switch
> in the Kitchen for instance)
>
> I don't want to pull more cable into the garage as this is now
quite
> difficult, and so I thought I should be able to use X10 to help me
> here. Obviously the local switch in the garage can be a simple
mains
> switch to "short circuit" the PIR and X10 controller.
>
> But remotely I thought I should be able to install a system where-
by
> a switch sends an X10 signal (to my computer?) which then triggers
> the X10 module in the Garage to turn the light on.
>
> A further extrapolation to this would be to have the PIR to trigger
> an X10 to send a  message to my computer that it has been set-off,
> thereby allowing me to integrate it into a future security system.
>
> I am however an X10 newbie, and so can't see the wood for the trees
> and am not sure how to best go about this all in an economical way.
> Am I making it all too complicated?
>
> Any tips and advice would be gratefully received.
>
> Richard.