Re: What is X-10?

[J Miller <reply@here>]

Actually, X-10 was started by a company called BSR.  They then changed
their name to X10 (yes, I'm a longgggggggg time user!)

B Fuhrmann wrote:
> X-10 was a company that made a set of remote control electrical devices
> using the power lines for transmission of the remote messages.
> The transmission protocol was licensed to other companies and became a very
> common (within the small home automation area) method for operating line
> items via remote and computer control.
> The system was not robust enough for critical items since it was possible
> for interference to cause some signals to be lost or to trigger
> accidentally.   If your door doesn't lock because of interference, it is
> bad.  If your stove turns on because of interference, it could burn your
> house down.
>
> They also made (at a later time) some surveillance and alarm items that
> could be used independently or slightly connected (triggering other items to
> turn on when a door is opened) to the remote system.
>
> I doubt that anyone would call it a significant security system because it
> would be too easy to defeat.  However, the sensors can do things like turn
> on your bathroom or stairs lights as someone enters the area and
> automatically turn them off after they leave.
>