Re: New Smarthome Appliance Module

[Mitch <sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx>]

More to Dave's point...

I had a particularly difficult time finding the cause of random "on"
events in one room (with SwitchLinc devices).  I tried replacing the
switch that was going on (the bedroom light -- mostly at night).  I even
tried a different brand of switch.  No X10 events were logged
corresponding to the ON's.

Out of ideas, I replaced an older 6-button keypad in the same J-Box as
the offending switch with a new 8-button keypad and the problem went away.

I assume something was trickling out of the keypad...

Mitch

Dave Houston wrote:
> I think you are wasting your money. External sources are seldom the culprit.
>
>
> When you see random 'on' events, are they logged by whatever interface you
> use? IOW, are there valid X-10 PLC commands on the powerline that could
> account for the events. If not, the filter is unlikely to help. If there are
> valid signals, they could be a symptom and not a cause of the event. (e.g.
> 2-way *Linc modules/switches may be sending them.)
>
> There are other things that can cause random on/off events. Inductive spikes
> from fluorescent ballasts and from motors can cause them and there's
> evidence that noise from other sources may also be a factor. Which
> modules/switches are affected?
>
> Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>>I didn't really mean to imply that the whole house
>>filter would solve, or even help
>>this problem.  However, I hope it will help some
>>of the random triggering that
>>happens from time to time.
>>
>>Dave Houston wrote:
>>
>>>I doubt a filter will help. There is some evidence that the *Linc modules
>>>and switches are affected by out-of-band noise that the filters do not
>>>block. In my case, X-10 made LM14As worked fine in circuits where 2000STWs
>>>would not work reliably. THe LED on the 2000STWs would blink randomly but I
>>>could see no noise on the line using a scope and ACT's Scope-Test2.
>>>
>>>Does their appliance module have an LED? What is it doing when the module is
>>>unresponsive?
>>>
>>>Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Update from OP:  One of the 3 times this has
>>>>happened was most probably NOT a loss
>>>>of housecode/unit code.  I still think the first 2
>>>>occurrences were.  The 3rd occurrence
>>>>was probably a situation where there was some type
>>>>of interference preventing
>>>>access in that particular location.  This seems to
>>>>happen from time to time in my
>>>>house.  Next I am going to try one of the whole
>>>>house x10 filter units.  I'll keep you
>>>>posted.
>>>>
>>>>Dave Houston wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I don't know what they use in appliance modules but they use a PIC16C622A
>>>>>and a 24LC32A (4KB EEPROM) in the 2000STW lamp module. There's no reason to
>>>>>think that the EEPROM would lose data from power glitches. It's more likely
>>>>>to be a flaw in the firmware used in the PIC so I agree that replacing them
>>>>>is probably futile until they find and fix the flaw.
>>>>>
>>>>>Wayne <wayne@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Correct, that is not supposed to happen.  But it happens to me
>>>>>>occasionally on multiple modules.  I suspect it is related to power
>>>>>>line glitches or spikes.  Do you have any idea what is causing yours
>>>>>>to reset?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I spoke with some SmartHome folks at EHExpo in March and apparently
>>>>>>they had heard of modules losing thier settings, but didn't have
>>>>>>enough clues at the time to determine a root cause.  I have been
>>>>>>unable to force mine to lose thier settings by simulating power
>>>>>>fialures.  SmartHome has offered to replace them under warranty, but
>>>>>>there isn't much point for me until they fix the issue.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>On Sun, 29 May 2005 08:59:45 GMT, "BruceR" <brNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx>
>>>>>>wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Send it back. That's not supposed to happen.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>From:Art Todesco
>>>>>>>actodesco@xxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I have one of those new "wheelless" Smarthome
>>>>>>>>appliance modules.  It looses the housecode and/or
>>>>>>>>unit code about once per week.  Is this a common
>>>>>>>>problem?  Anyone else have this problem?
>>>>>>>
>