Re: Newbie Advice needed

["ceedub" <craigmw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"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