Re: Is there an easy way to tell if it is a phase problem?

["BruceR" <brNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx>]

A1.  Yes, one repeater per house is generally enough and two repeaters
can cause additional problems even if they're designed for
multi-repeater service.  If there is still a dead spot and plug-in
booster may help or, you can find the source of the noise or attenuation
and add a filter. But first things first, add the repeater. I recommend
the ACT CR234 or CR230. http://www.act-solutions.com/PCCSpecFrame.htm.
You can try the plug-in unit for the dryer outlet from Smarthome. It
works but the ACT product is better and wires to the panel. I use one
ACT CR234 in my 8500sf home that has two panels and the Smarthome
plug-in unit in my other 2500sf home with excellent results in both
places.

A2. Perhaps not every house, but every house I've lived in over the last
20+ years has required a repeater for reliable operation. A repeater is
recommended for any house larger than 2000sf.  For relatively little
money they solve a LOT of problems.

A3. The answer to this depends on the panel. If you take the cover off
it will be apparent. However, even testing on the same leg is of little
value as it could be a noise/attenuation problem on the same leg. An X10
tester is a handy device as you can walk around and plug it into
different outlets and measure the results.  But, no matter what, your
3000sf house needs the repeater so start with that and you may be done.

Here's a test you can do right now: Turn on a 220 volt appliance like
your oven, electric (not gas) dryer, or central air unit and then try
turning on the troublesome light. If it works you know it's a coupling
issue as the appliance acts a signal bridge between the two 110 volt
legs.  If the light still won't work, however, you will not be proving
anything since the appliance is not an ideal coupler and you could still
have noise/attenuation issues.

Finally, or maybe 'firstly,' read this series from our good friend Uncle
Phil:
 http://www.act-solutions.com/uncle.htm


From:surethingthistime@xxxxxxxxx
surethingthistime@xxxxxxxxx

> It is larger that 2K sf but we just completed some construction so
> running all the new wiring from the old box wasn't practical either.
> Our house is a little over 3K sq ft.
> 1.  Do you think having a repeater at one box will work for wiring
> coming off the other?
> 2.  Does every house then require a repeater to get x10 everywhere?
> 3. re: alternating legs in breaker box - trying to minimize the time I
> have to invest in x10 testing:  Do the two columns start with the
> different legs (so that the top two are on different legs)?  I can
> then test some switches on the same leg.
>
>
> BruceR wrote:
>> The lines from both boxes come together at the meter. What you need
>> is bridge between the two 110 volt legs which can be done at either
>> panel - not both. Given that you have two panels I'll guess that
>> your home is
>
>> larger than 2000sf so I would recommend an active repeater/coupler
>> rather than a passive unit. You can use one that plugs into a 220volt
>
>> dryer outlet or one that wires into one of your panels.  There are a
>> number of sources for these but they can all be seen at
>> www.smarthome.com for convenience.
>>  As far as knowing which breaker is on which leg, they alternate from
>
>> top to bottom. That's why a 220 volt circuit will have two breakers
>> stacked. Trying to keep everything on one leg isn't really practical.