Re: X10 continuous bright problem...

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

Martin,

In addition to Bruce's suggestion of a stuck button, there's a fairly common
occurence with X-10 transceivers getting locked into a continuous state (I
dubbed it "endless dim syndrome".) where they send DIM or BRT until
unplugged. There's also a condition usually referred to as "powerline
storms" which usually is associated with the Leviton HCA02-10E
coupler/repeater although the symptoms you see do not seem to match those
usually seen with the coupler.

Are you using any X-10 transceivers or do you use your BX24-AHT? If you are
using the BX24-AHT it will log any received RF as well as any received PLC
codes so it can help isolate whether this signal is originating as RF or
only as PLC, telling us whether to look under couch cushions or look for PLC
gremlins.

martin.reynolds@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

>I've been running a fairly large X10 system for almost 20 years. 60
>modules, repeater. I've eliminated the wireless leg over power lines.
>It's been generally reliable, with a few soft spots on long runs and
>the occasional killer power supply in a PC, printer or game device. No
>whole house filter, but my neighbors are 100 - 200 feet away.
>
>So today, it stops working. Total shutdown. A little research turns up
>a continuous E9/bright command. My little tester flags it as a strong,
>clean signal with noiseless zeros and full strength 1s.
>
>A long search reveals no suspicious devices, so I turn off the
>breakers one at a time. Doesn't work. I open all the breakers, and
>find that the signal is on at least two separate circuits. I have the
>repeater disconnected as well.
>
>Then comes an indiscretion with the tester as I connect it across the
>two lin phases, and it ejects black smoke. So I never quite nailed it
>as an external influence, but it seems that is what it has to be.
>Almost like one of my neighbors is blasting e9/b with a big amp.
>
>Of course, it is gone now. And the whole house filter will arrive this
>week.
>
>Anybody ever seen anything like this? It was almost like a deliberate
>jamming signal.