Re: XPS-3 Strangeness

[dlh <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

You might find some useful tips in one of X-10's FAQs...

     http://www.x10.com/support/x10trou.htm#on

Inductive spikes from fluorescents and brown-outs are among the causes.

Bruce: Most Smarthome switches and modules (even the low end ones) send
off commands or preset dim commands indicating the current level whenever
there is a change of state. This has been the case for 3-4 years now.

On Sat, 10 May 2008 22:24:50 -1000, 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.