Re: Capacitor to bypass GFI outlet?

[Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It's possible you have some noise generators or signal suckers
in that room or on the same branch of the power line.
Try unplugging any and all electronic gear (TV, VCR, DVD, Stereo,
CF lamps, etc) from their AC sockets and see if that makes a
difference. (If so, you'll need to put filters on the offending
appliances.)

You might also want to map out which rooms/receptacles are on
each phase.  I understand the oven test sometimes works and
sometimes doesn't.

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 14:31:00 -0700, Chris Shearer Cooper wrote:

> I'm pretty sure the GFI is the problem (need to do some additional testing
> to verify).  I have a CM11A in my office, and I can control X-10 modules in
> the office and the nearby bedrooms, and also in the kitchen (on a different
> level) but modules in the living room ignore the CM11A completely.  I tried
> the trick of turning on the oven (hoping to bridge the two phases) and that
> didn't help.
>
> I'm going to see if there is an outlet on the living room circuit prior to
> the GFI outlet where I can double-check.
>
> "Charles Sullivan" <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:pan.2005.12.31.21.04.53.640467@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 09:21:56 -0700, Chris Shearer Cooper wrote:
>>
>>> The official word from X10 Customer Support is that one way to get the
>>> X-10
>>> signals to hop from one phase to another is by "installing a 0.1
>>> microfarad,
>>> 600VDC capacitor across the two phases in the panel, i.e. by connecting
>>> the
>>> capacitor across any 220V breaker."
>>>
>>> Can a similar trick be used to get the signal across a GFI outlet?  That
>>> is,
>>> what would happen if I attached a 0.1 uF 600V cap from the line to the
>>> load?
>>> Would the X-10 signal get through?
>>> Would it affect the ability of the GFI outlet to detect ground faults?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>> Chris
>>
>> One question is, do you really need to?  Normal GFI outlets
>> usually don't present a problem with X10 signals.  (The newer
>> types designed to additionally detect arcing may be a different
>> matter.)
>>