RE: [misterhouse-users] Coupling power phases

[Clay J. <cl...@nw...>]

Hmmm - OK, I guess I'd have to suspect that something else (besides a phase
issue) is going on here (or, the bridge is installed incorrectly).

Do you have any Sony TVs in your place, or a large number of flourescent
lights? Both of these generate significant interference, which can cause
missed signals.

How close (electrically) to your panel is the CM11?  Is it connected through
a surge protector or Ground Fault Interrupter?

One way to determine if you have a phase or interference problem is to use
one of the plug in mini-controllers and see where (from which outlets) you
can control the "target" and where you can't.  I literally drove my wife and
kids out of the house debugging my problems (turning off one breaker after
another, and re-testing things).

One other thing I discovered (and I have NO idea why - perhaps someone here
who understands AC better than  I do can shed some light); we had an exhaust
fan in our laundry room wired incorrectly (the switch was in the neutral
line, NOT the "hot" line).  I had intermittent X10 control on EVERY outlet
on that branch until we corrected that problem.

Beware of surge protectors and/or Ground Fault Interrupters placed "between"
the target and the controller (ie, closer electrically to the panel than the
target, on the same branch).  Both of these will "eat" X10 signals.

When I replaced my bridge, I actually got one of the Leviton "amplfiers".
Works great; I measured the signal at the "zero crossing" at close to 5V.

Unfortunately, debugging this stuff takes a whole lot of patience and
perseverence - and either ingenuity or lots of expensive test gear (or
both!).

Good luck!

Clay


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	mis...@li...
> [mailto:TKo...@ea...] On Behalf Of Tom Kotowski
> Sent:	Tuesday, February 08, 2000 8:17 PM
> To:	'mis...@li...'
> Subject:	RE: [misterhouse-users] Coupling power phases
>
> I ordered the HomePro Signal Bridge from HAS and installed it
> last night.   Surprise!   X10 signals still do not cross phases.
> I'm just going to put 2 way rf receivers on the same phase as
> cm11 and talk to the listen only modules with cm17.  I don't have
> a cm17 yet.   I have not been able to order the CM17s from X10 on
> line.  You can't order them.  You have to join their "tells us
> the most creative use for X10" give away contest. I'll call their
> land line tomorrow.
>
> Regards,
> Tom
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Clay Jackson [SMTP:cl...@nw...]
> Sent:	Monday, February 07, 2000 1:13 AM
> To:	mis...@li...
> Subject:	RE: [misterhouse-users] Coupling power phases
>
> Jay - While it's true that you can accomplish the same as a bridge with a
> capacitor, by the time you get done paying an electrician to
> install the two
> breakers (one on each "hot" leg" and the cap; you might as well buy the
> bridge and either install it yourself or have the electrician do that.
>
> Something not many folks are aware of is a clause in most homeowners
> insurance policies that allows the insurance company to avoid paying for
> damage caused by work performed by a homeowner that should have been
> inspected and/or performed by a qualified (ie, licensed) person. In a
> specific case I'm aware of, a major insurance company used this clause to
> delay payment of a claim on a house fire, even though the fire was not
> caused by the work the homeowner had performed.
>
> Also, on the capacitor; as you pointed out, they're hard to find
> - and when
> you DO find one, convincing an electrician who will either know about X10
> and wonder why you're not using a "real" bridge, or who will have NO clue
> why you want to connect a capacitor across both sides of your AC line to
> install the capacitor will be difficult (I know, I did this 15 years ago
> when bridges were not available).
>
> The bottom line is that a bridge will probably be cheaper in the long run.
>
> On the subject of bridges - has anyone else ever had one fail?  I had a
> Leviton bridge (don't know the model number, it was 10 years old) quit a
> week or so ago (I know it quit because I replaced it with a new one from
> SmartHome and now the signals get across the phases again); and I'm
> wondering if others have seen that as well.
>
> Clay Jackson
>
>
> Clay Jackson
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: mis...@li...
> > [mailto:mis...@li...]On Behalf Of Jay
> > Archer
> > Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2000 7:36 PM
> > To: mis...@li...
> > Subject: [misterhouse-users] Coupling power phases
> >
> >
> > Group,
> >      I was recently pointed towards an article from X10 Pro
> that tells of
> > another way to couple a person's power phases, becuase a bridge will not
> > work with the way our power panel is set up. Here is a snippit from the
> > article:
> >
> > Signals can be "coupled" to the other phase by installing a 0.1
> microfarad
> > (0.1F),
> > 600VDC capacitor across the two phases in the panel, i.e. by
> > connecting the
> > capacitor across any 220V breaker.
> >
> > I looked at my local Radio Shack and another one in a near by
> city and was
> > unable to find the capacitor listed above. Any ideas of where i can
> > buy/order one? If so any places online? Also are there any
> other ways the
> > same thing can be accomplished(besides a bridge).
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jay Archer
> > Mis...@ar...
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________________________________
> > List options: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=1365
> >
> >
>
>
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