Re: Newbie Advice needed

[Mitch <sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx>]

If you go with a coupler/repeater at a panel and you have 1 main and 1
sub panel, it is generally recommended that you put the coupler in the
subpanel.

m


Free wrote:
> I have looked at that repeater and I orginally planned on using it,
> but I found that the dryer is pushed up against the plug and adding
> the repeater would push the dryer out by several inches.  This
> violated the WAF.  I considered just relocating this outlet slightly
> out-of-the-way, but when I found the hardwired version, it seemed just
> as easy to install it.  Then, in my logical progression, I figured if
> it would work at the dryer location, it would work anywhere I had  a
> drop of the 220V wires, which led me to look at the subpanel and stove
> location.
>
> But, please do offer any other "SmartHome Geek" suggestions!
>
>
> "ceedub" <craigmw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>"Free" <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>news:fu4ca1pita1um203f3tp9rg4pdvrlqb4l0@xxxxxxxxxx
>>
>>>I probably mis-spoke.   By "three phases" I only meant to describe the
>>>two hot and neutral wires.  I apparently stumbled into a term-of-art
>>>that I did not intend.  So, if I have an ordinary residential setup,
>>>where would I best install the coupler/repeater?  And, does the
>>>auxiliary or secondary breaker panel present any problems for sending
>>>PLC signals through the entire house?  Thanks!
>>>
>>>"Jack Ak" <akjack@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Free" <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>>>news:q3h9a1dhp9q75h4ko15rfqfu9oqfohguup@xxxxxxxxxx
>>>>
>>>>>Now I have a question on where is best to install the
>>>>>coupler/repeater.  There are three places in my house where the three
>>>>>phases are readily accessible: 1) the main breaker panel, 2) the
>>>>>kitchen stove, 3) an upstair "auxiliary" breaker panel.
>>>>>
>>>>>One concern I have is whether the circuits off the auxiliary panel are
>>>>>somehow isolated from the main panel and its circuits.  Will PLC
>>>>>signals traverse the main and auxilary circuits?
>>>>>
>>>>>If the best signal propogation would come from installing the
>>>>>coupler/repeater at the main breaker, then I will do that.  But, I
>>>>>would prefer putting it at the stove (just for reasons of convenience
>>>>>- simpler to kill just the stove power vs. the whole house and I don't
>>>>>have to pull open an entire panel to reach the wires).  Would it be
>>>>>just as good to put it at the stove?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>If you believe your residence uses three phase electrical power, you
>>>>should
>>>>hire an electrician to install the coupler/repeater.  Most homes receive
>>>>240 volt
>>>>split phase service from a 240v utility transformer with a center tapped
>>>>secondary winding.  Read the labeling on your electrical service meter.
>>>>You might notice the words "single phase".
>>>>
>>>>If you don't understand how electrical power is distributed in your home,
>>>>you can create an unsafe (life threatening) condition with
>>>>"do-it-yourself"
>>>>modifications.
>>>
>>I hope I don't sound like a SmartHome geek, but an easy solution is to
>>install their coupler/repeater on your dryer 220V outlet. These come in a
>>couple of different configurations, depending on your dryer outlet. But, I
>>installed one in about 20 seconds, and it works great. All of my problems
>>with modules not responding to X10 signals have disappeared. They also sell
>>a coupler only, using a similar dryer outlet configuration. This is quite a
>>bit cheaper. But, the coupler/repeater has the advantage of repeating the
>>signal should one of your more electrically isolated modules not respond to
>>the original X10 command.
>>
>>Check out the following link:
>>
>>http://www.smarthome.com/4826b.html
>>
>>And they aptly mention "no electrician needed."
>>
>>Craig
>>
>
>