Re: XPS-3 Strangeness

["BruceR" <razrbruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The X10 Pro line does not generate a signal under any condition - they
are receive only devices. Higher end switches from Leviton and Smarthome
can generate signals when manually operated. The noise could very well
be coming from the flourescent light itself but that should not generate
false on and off commands. It may be worth trying another switch to see
if the one you have is defective.

 David White wrote:
> The circuit in question has 2 overhead incandescent bulbs and 2,
> 2-bulb fluorescent shop-type lights.
>
> Would the noise you are speaking of come from something on the
> controlled circuit or outside?
>
> I had the thing wired by a pro electrician and he carefully identified
> the wires and matched them to the instructions. It all works just
> fine. But just a moment ago, I turned on the switch and within a
> minute it shut itself off again on its own. This auto-OFF seems to
> happen with greater frequency than auto-ON.
>
> I am not sure how these work. I know there is a relay inside as I can
> hear it snap. I presume that switching the XPS-3 ON engages the relay
> which holds contact until it is switched OFF. Is this correct? If so,
> could it be a faulty relay that is just "letting-go"? That would
> explain the auto-OFF but I guess not the auto-ON.
>
> On a different but related issue: I am running active home connected
> to my CM11A and watching its communications log in an effort to see
> any "stray" commands. When I manually turn either of my XPS-3 switches
> on/off I do not see any activity. Are these things supposed to
> generate a signal when they are turned off/on?
>
> Thanks.
>
> BruceR wrote:
>> What kind of lamp are you controlling?
>> It's not a common problem and is usually caused by noise.
>> You could try another House Code but it probably won't make a
>> difference.
>> The companion switch shoudn't make a difference.
>> It's probably not defective.
>> Yes, you should verify your wiring as a first step but if it works
>> it's probably OK.
>> Again, noise is the most likely culprit.
>>
>>  David White wrote:
>>> Hello. I recently purchased and installed 2 XPS-3 switches I got off
>>> EBay. One has a WS-14A/XPSS companion switch.
>>>
>>> Almost as soon as I installed these, I have noticed that the one
>>> with the companion switch will sometimes turn itself off. But in
>>> the last couple days, I have noticed that it is also sometimes
>>> turning itself ON. The unit without the companion switch is fine.
>>>
>>> I have a CM11A that does turn some modules on/off on timers. But the
>>> switches in question are NOT controlled that way. Even so, the
>>> strange events do no relate to the events that are programmed (not
>>> the same times). I am also very sure that no one else in the area
>>> has X-10 running (I live in a pretty rural environment).
>>>
>>> So:
>>>
>>> (a) Do the XPS-3 units commonly have this problem?
>>>
>>> (b) Does the presence of the companion switch make any difference?
>>>
>>> (c) Does this seem a manufacturing defect?
>>>
>>> (d) Could this be due to a wiring mistake on my end?
>>>
>>> Thanks.