Re: XPS-3 Strangeness

["BruceR" <razrbruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Try running each fixture alone to see if you can isolate the problem to
one or the other (more likely the flourescent).  If that's the problem
you can use an in-line filter at the fixture to remove the noise. If the
fixture is really old changing the ballast may help although it's
usually cheaper to buy a whole new fixture than a ballast.

 David White wrote:
> Thanks for all the responses.
>
> I had another XPS-3 that has been working perfectly on another
> circuit. So I took your advice and swapped the two switches. I find
> that the
> problem does NOT follow the switch. So there does seem to be an issue
> with the circuit in question.
>
> Thinking that there may be stray commands passing, I have been running
> version 1.42 of ActiveHome (which seems to fix other strangeness I
> have been seeing when running version 1.32 on Windows XP) and
> watching its communications log. I am not seeing any unexpected
> commands being received.
> So perhaps it is noise as you suggest. But if, as you say, the noise
> should not generate on/off commands, how could it be impacting the
> XPS-3? I bought these switches precisely because they are supposed to
> handle fluorescents. Can I tell if the fluorescents are the cause
> simply by removing the tubes? Or will there still be noise from the
> ballasts?
> Is there anything I can do about the noise save removing the shop
> lights?
> Thanks.
>
> BruceR wrote:
>> The X10 Pro line does not generate a signal under any condition -
>> they are receive only devices. Higher end switches from Leviton and
>> Smarthome can generate signals when manually operated. The noise
>> could very well be coming from the flourescent light itself but that
>> should not generate false on and off commands. It may be worth
>> trying another switch to see if the one you have is defective.
>>
>>  David White wrote:
>>> The circuit in question has 2 overhead incandescent bulbs and 2,
>>> 2-bulb fluorescent shop-type lights.
>>>
>>> Would the noise you are speaking of come from something on the
>>> controlled circuit or outside?
>>>
>>> I had the thing wired by a pro electrician and he carefully
>>> identified the wires and matched them to the instructions. It all
>>> works just fine. But just a moment ago, I turned on the switch and
>>> within a minute it shut itself off again on its own. This auto-OFF
>>> seems to happen with greater frequency than auto-ON.
>>>
>>> I am not sure how these work. I know there is a relay inside as I
>>> can hear it snap. I presume that switching the XPS-3 ON engages the
>>> relay which holds contact until it is switched OFF. Is this
>>> correct? If so, could it be a faulty relay that is just
>>> "letting-go"? That would explain the auto-OFF but I guess not the
>>> auto-ON. On a different but related issue: I am running active home
>>> connected
>>> to my CM11A and watching its communications log in an effort to see
>>> any "stray" commands. When I manually turn either of my XPS-3
>>> switches on/off I do not see any activity. Are these things
>>> supposed to generate a signal when they are turned off/on?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> BruceR wrote:
>>>> What kind of lamp are you controlling?
>>>> It's not a common problem and is usually caused by noise.
>>>> You could try another House Code but it probably won't make a
>>>> difference.
>>>> The companion switch shoudn't make a difference.
>>>> It's probably not defective.
>>>> Yes, you should verify your wiring as a first step but if it works
>>>> it's probably OK.
>>>> Again, noise is the most likely culprit.
>>>>
>>>>  David White wrote:
>>>>> Hello. I recently purchased and installed 2 XPS-3 switches I got
>>>>> off EBay. One has a WS-14A/XPSS companion switch.
>>>>>
>>>>> Almost as soon as I installed these, I have noticed that the one
>>>>> with the companion switch will sometimes turn itself off. But in
>>>>> the last couple days, I have noticed that it is also sometimes
>>>>> turning itself ON. The unit without the companion switch is fine.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a CM11A that does turn some modules on/off on timers. But
>>>>> the switches in question are NOT controlled that way. Even so, the
>>>>> strange events do no relate to the events that are programmed (not
>>>>> the same times). I am also very sure that no one else in the area
>>>>> has X-10 running (I live in a pretty rural environment).
>>>>>
>>>>> So:
>>>>>
>>>>> (a) Do the XPS-3 units commonly have this problem?
>>>>>
>>>>> (b) Does the presence of the companion switch make any difference?
>>>>>
>>>>> (c) Does this seem a manufacturing defect?
>>>>>
>>>>> (d) Could this be due to a wiring mistake on my end?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks.