Re: Leviton or X10 switched outlet problem

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Does it make a chattering sound ?

I have had both newer X-10 brand SR227 and Leviton 6227W "split wall
receptacles" outlets fail. The symptom is that although they respond to the
powerline signal, they make a mechanical chattering sound and sometimes do
not actually switch. The problem will come and go on a particular device. It
has happened on two different current-mode Leviton devices. An autopsy shows
no obviously broken part inside.

Smarthome as assured me that the X-10 brand SR227 and Leviton 6227W  are the
same but that somehow it is worth my money to pay more for the Leviton
device.

Buying a new Leviton will solve the problem for a while. But the costs of
X10 become high when you add up the cost of researching, futzing, time in
replacing, new parts and so on. An open-close relay in the garage is a task
that a HA controller and hardwired relay is well suited for. (I use an Elk
MM443 to do something similar with my attic fan based on inside and outside
temperature and so is based on the actual physics of the situation.)

In short, the 227-type devices are unreliable in my experience. Choose
something else, preferably not X10.

... Marc
Marc_F_Hult


On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 16:27:23 GMT, "Jeff Volp" <JeffVolp@xxxxxxx> wrote in
message  <L1QDe.19737$5N3.13101@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

>I wonder if anyone else has seen the following problem with the Leviton/X10
>switched outlet:
>
>I installed one of these switched outlets a couple of months ago to turn on
>a garage exhaust fan when it cools down at night, and turn it off again as
>it warms up in the morning.  It had been working fine for weeks, but twice
>in the last several days it did not respond to the OFF signal in the
>morning.
>
>Now, here is the interesting problem:  It would not even respond to
multiple
>OFFs sent from a maxi controller plugged directly into the switched outlet.
>However, after sending a single ON, followed by an OFF, the outlet did
>switch off.  It is not the typical broken plastic piece problem because
>after it finally turned off, it properly responds to additional ON and OFF
>signals.
>
>The ESM signal strength meter shows a fairly strong 1V signal from my
>automation controller at the switched outlet.  There are no signal suckers,
>and no noise source.  All other X10 switches are virtually 100% reliable.
I
>don't think there was a power glitch because dimmed X10 modules are still
>dimmed off, and our most glitch sensitive digital clock still has the
>correct time.
>
>Does anyone know if these switched outlets become confused as to what state
>they are in?  If so, a simple fix may be to preface every OFF command with
>an ON.  Otherwise, I guess the answer is to install one of the Leviton
16293
>relay switches I use elsewhere for compact fluorescents.
>