Re: Odd Appliance Module

["Anthony R. Gold" <not-for-mail@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 3 Oct 2010 18:10:10 +0000 (UTC), David White
<whitedavidp@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Seems like it doesn't rain but it pours!
>
> I am seeing what I believe to be odd behavior in one of my 2-pin
> appliance modules (AM 486). In most of my modules of this type, even if
> an X-10 command has turned the module OFF, I can switch-on the attached
> device and it will work. I hear the module click when I do this. This is
> the behavior I want and expect.
>
> But today I discovered that another of my AM 486 modules doesn't exhibit
> this ability to switch-on the attached device if an X-10 command has
> turned the module OFF.
>
> Which is the "correct" behavior? What does it mean that this one module
> doesn't behave like the others?

It is designed to work the way you want and expect but the type of load,
whether resistive or reactive, may affect its reliability:

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Local_Control_for_Lamp_and_Appliance_Modules

Try using a known resistive load, such as lamp with incandescent bulb or a
kitchen appliance that heats (water pot, toaster, electric fry pan etc.) to
test whether the issue is the type of load or whether that feature of your
AM486 has failed. Some people (me included) dislike the local control feature
and would consider the change you have found to be an improvement :-)

Tony