Re: Newbie Advice needed

[Free <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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
>