Re: Survey: Home Control Software

["John J. Bengii" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

So the Insteon devices all require netrals to perform properly and get
clearer signals. I know the X10 devices typically do not require
neutrals but there are a few starting to need a neutral . I think I
have one device. Of course non of this discussion woul apply to a wall
wart device where all conductors are available anyway...correct?

In modern wiring techniques the neutral is often not accessable
either. Wiring codes recommend the feed goes to the lamps octagon box
first, where there are more cubit inches of air for the multiple
connection heat to be disapated. Then the light switch only gets two
wires and cannot ake a device requiing a neutral. It would appear,
with CFL lamping and their 3rd harmonic generations, any system
without a neutral will become a problem.

Thanx. This is beginning to clear in my head somewhat.


"Bream Rockmetteller" <bream(dot)rockmetteller(at)mac(dot)com> wrote
in message
news:2007122623390175249-breamdotrockmettelleratmacdotcom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> On 2007-12-26 19:45:18 -0800, "John J. Bengii"
> <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> said:
>
>> Thanx for the reply. I have a couple of questions for you.
>>
>> 1) Can you explain how your wiring is too old for Insteon. I
>> thought
>> it was backed up by RF connection and much faster but using alower
>> freq over the power line. This sounds more tolerable.
>>
>> 2) How does this software know any unit has received a bad message?
>> Everyone of my units receives an "All lamps on" signal about once
>> per
>> month. A few receive "unit off" signals when I get collisions
>> sometimes.
>>
>> "Bream Rockmetteller" <bream(dot)rockmetteller(at)mac(dot)com>
>> wrote
>> in message
>> news:2007122323155616807-breamdotrockmettelleratmacdotcom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> I'm using Indigo from Perceptive Automation. The software supports
>>> both X10 and Insteon (although, my house wiring is too old for
>>> Insteon, so I'm stuck with X10 and all of its quirks). It's nice
>>> because it runs a server invisibly in the background, then the
>>> client software may connect from any computer on your network.
>>> I've
>>> also been able to set up responses to expected "bad" X10 messages
>>> from my wireless transmitters so that the software sends the
>>> correct
>>> message when a bad one is detected. It's very sophisticated
>>> software
>>> and worth the price.
>>> --
>>> Bream Rockmetteller
>>> Donaldson's Dog Joy
>>> 509-450-0301
>
> The Insteon switch require power for its own purposes.
>
> In a modern electrical box, you'll find individual wires for power
> and return as well as ground wires and wires to the load. All of the
> common return wires are typically bundled together, and each load
> gets its own switched power line.
>
> An Insteon switch has three wires: one for power, one for  return
> and one for load. You can connect the Insteon switch to the power
> and return, and connect a lamp to the load, but only assuming it has
> its own common return path.
>
> My old house only has power entering the box, and a single wire to
> the load. There's no power for the Insteon circuitry itself, and the
> load has a return path I can't access. So, The blue wire out of the
> Insteon switch doesn't do me much good. I've discussed this with the
> SmartHome folks, and they basically told me it won't work.
>
> The old-fashioned X-10 switches have only two wires: power in and
> power to the load... 1970's-style code. The switch gets its own
> power and provides power to the load from the same source.
>
> Regarding the software, the reason it knows it has received a "bad"
> message is because I told it so. When I have a light act in a
> strange manner, I look at the log that Indigo keeps.
>
> If I see that an RF switch somehow transmitted "turn on E10" instead
> of "turn on the kitchen lights" which are E1, I'll  add a script in
> the "Trigger Actions" sections that says something like "If you
> receive a message to turn on E10, send a message to turn on the
> kitchen lights." That way, even if the switch or the receiver or
> some random noise has caused the message to go bad, the software
> will re-transmit the correct message.
>
> I hope this helps...
> --
> Bream Rockmetteller
> Donaldson's Dog Joy
> 509-450-0301
>