Re: X-10, GFCI, outdoor lights & problems

["Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx>]

<neergqj@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

> Thanks for the feedback.  Suppose I get an ESM1, how involved is the
> diagosis?

Quite simple.  You may need a screw-in adapter (an outlet that screws into a
lamp base) and an extension cord to use the ESM1 on an outdoor lamp circuit.
The idea is to plug the ESM1 as close to the offending circuit as possible.
If the X-10 signal it attenuated, not many bars will light up on the LED
display.  If there's noise present, bars will light up, but the "X-10 Good"
LED will not.  When plugged in right next to a X-10 transmitter almost all
the bars will light up (depending on which transmitter, of course - they
output substantially different levels with the CM11A being one of the
weakest).  From there, the signal will get weaker and weaker the further you
go from the transmitter.  Readings near signal suckers will be dramatically
lower.  Readings near noisemakers will show constant LED bargraph activity
without the "X-10 Good" LED lit.

The idea is to locate and filter devices that produce noise or attenuate the
signal.  If you get a long enough extension cord, you can take the ESM1 to
the electrical panel and shut off each breaker in turn until you find one
that either kills the noise or increases the signal level.  If you're into
high tech, you've doubtless got at least a few X-10 unfriendly devices.
It's becoming a more and more annoying problem as there's really no way
other than plugging it into the home wiring whether something's going to
affect the X-10 signal.

--
Bobby G.