Re: bizarre x-10 dead zone

[Mark Chambers <machambers@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the feedback.
I don't believe any new devices have been added to that circuit, but I
guess it's time to start unplugging things and see what happens.

I just thought it was odd that only the AM466 modules were affected
and hoped that the unique failure mode might point to something more
definite.

Mark

On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:15:22 GMT, nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)
wrote:

>J Miller <reply@here> wrote:
>
>>David White wrote:
>>> Mark Chambers wrote:
>>>> Hi All,
>>>>
>>>> Here's one that really has me scratching my head.
>>>>
>>>> Recently I lost the ability to control two incandescent lamps
>>>> connected to an LM465 lamp module.  I replaced the module but the
>>>> problem remained.  I tested both modules at my bench and found that
>>>> they worked fine.  I tried an AM466 appliance module but it too would
>>>> not respond.  I got frustrated an installed an RR501 module which
>>>> works because it receives the RF control signal via its antenna, not
>>>> the AC line.  I figured my passive coupler had failed and that it was
>>>> time to replace it.
>>>> I replaced the passive coupler with an XPCR active coupler and sure
>>>> enough I can control the RR501 from mini-controllers or my CP290.  I
>>>> replaced the RR501 with an AM466 but found that I lost the ability to
>>>> control it.  Replaced the appliance module with a lamp module and
>>>> control is back.  So a lamp module works, the RR501 quasi-appliance
>>>> module works, but appliance modules won't work.
>>>>
>>>> Now it gets bizarre.  The problem only occurs in the last two outlets
>>>> on the circuit.  In any other outlet on the circuit, any of the
>>>> modules can receive X-10 signals and work as they should.  I don't
>>>> actually know where the affected outlets are on the circuit and don't
>>>> have access to the wiring to confirm their location.  Any ideas as to
>>>> why only AM466 appliance modules are affected and only in these two
>>>> outlets?  Note, there are no CFL bulbs involved.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks, Mark
>>>
>>> Mark,
>>>
>>> I had something similar recently. Let me ask, have you plugged-in
>>> anything new on that circuit? In my case, it was my new LCD TV. I
>>> purchased a filter unit that sits between the TV and the wall plug and
>>> all was well once again. Your mileage may vary but it was great for me.
>>>
>>> David
>>
>>I was going to say that this sounds like a "signal sucker".  Something
>>(probably something new) is clobbering the signal.  Could be a
>>combination though, so start unplugging stuff and see if it starts working.
>
>It might be a new signal sink or it might be a new noise source. A lot of
>switch mode power supplies (e.g. those in CFLs) put high frequency noise on
>the powerline while those that filter this out tend to also attenuate X-10.
>Anything between 75-220kHz can cause problems for most X-10 receivers,
>making them see a constant stream of 1-bits for each half-cycle,  although
>the exact frequency range varies from model to model. A filter will usually
>solve both problems once the culprit is identified.