Re: Do X10 modules degrade over time?

[Joerg <notthisjoergsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Marc,

>
>>>switches are all fine and consistent. Some are in the same box as the
>>>power outlets that failing lamp or appliance modules were plugged into.
>>>IOW on the very same physical node so they should receive the same
>>>signal strength and noise.
>>
>>You'd think...
>
> []
>
>
>>Contrary to popular opinion, not all powerline problems originate
>>outside and come inside via the main panel.  Check out the sag when your
>>central A.C.  compressor starts up on a hot day.  Or the spike of
>>inductive kick when it (or any motor) turns off.
>>
>>And of course, make certain your panel electrical connections are solid.
>>Especially neutral and ground.
>

I re-tighten these regularly. Especially since the cables to the
sub-panels are Al. And yes, we do have spikes but not really tough ones.
We don't run the A/C often, in most years not at all. The wee spikes
from vacuum cleaners are something I'd expect well-design equipment to
handle. But that's where I have my doubts.

>
> Right. Which begs the question of whether the failures might be caused by
> hot-to-neutral/ground differentials with grounded modules that (eg) WS467
> X-10 dimmers don't experience directly because they are connected to ground
> only through the filament of the lamps.
>
> I have suffered significant damage to electronic equipment in my house
> through what the engineer who designed the whole-house surge-protection
> installed by my utility company at the meter outside told me was consistent
> with lightning ground strikes. In any case, a device that is floating (like
> an in-line dimmer) may not see voltage differentials that a device connected
> to ground (like a grounded module) would see. Joerg can tell us whether this
> fits his physical situation and device deployment.
>

The wall switch dimmers I could understand but this wouldn't explain why
the built-in wall switch modules survive (the white dual-outlet
variety). Those are connected to both hot and neutral.

FWIW, yesterday we had another lamp module croak. Oh man. Sometimes I
wish I had never had the idea of installing X-10. Now my wife has gotten
used to the comfort it provides but the stuff keeps failing. From what I
have read some of the Pro version modules probably aren't different in
circuitry so I guess that wouldn't help. My impression is that five
years may be some kind of expiration time frame for these modules. Or to
say it a bit arrogantly, maybe I ought to be designing my own, something
I'd really hate to do just for 15-20 units.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com