Re: [misterhouse-users] Coupling power phases -- additional information

[Erich W. <wh...@me...>]

Hello,

I just thought I'd add some help here.

First of all, you're wasting your time debugging X10 problems without a
tester. Go buy this one:

http://www.worthdist.com/telesystems/tester.htm

It's simple and it works.

For bridging I use the ACT-CR230 Coupler-Repeater (Leviton also makes one,
LEV6201) which I installed after purchasing the above tester and finding X10
dead spots in my home. The Leviton passive phase coupler I had didn't work
because of the signal degradation across my house. The active coupler is
installed across a 15A double breaker. For added signal integrity, I put my
TW-523 on a circuit adjacent to the coupler's breaker--but strictly speaking
this isn't necessary.

As an aside, I use HomeVision as my home automation controller. I recently
had an email conversation with Craig Chadwick (president of CSI--maker of
HomeVision) about X10 phase couplers and I have enclosed a relevant piece of
the conversation for your information. It's helpful to understand how these
couplers work.

--------------- start of quote ------------------
X-10 signals are always transmitted twice (per the X-10 spec).  A repeater
detects the first transmission, then repeats it in the following time slot,
which should be the same time as the second transmission.  If the TW-523
X-10 interface detects the first original transmission, it reports it to HV
during the second time slot.  Here's what it looks like:

   ORIGINAL SIGNAL      REPEATED TRANSMISSION        TW-523 REPORT TO HV
         A-1
         A-1                    A-1                          A-1
         A-ON
         A-ON                   A-ON                         A-ON

But if the TW-523 only detects the repeated transmission, it reports it to
HV during the next time slot.  Here's what it looks like:

   ORIGINAL SIGNAL      REPEATED TRANSMISSION        TW-523 REPORT TO HV
         A-1
         A-1                    A-1
         A-ON                                                A-1
         A-ON                   A-ON
                                                             A-ON

Regardless of whether the TW-523 detects the original or repeated
transmission, it only reports one signal to HV.

Multiple BRIGHT and DIM commands work differently because they come
back-to-back.  Most repeaters we previously tested repeat one LESS signal
than they actually receive.  In addition, the TW-523 only detects every
third signal (meaning it properly track the brightness level).  So if the
TW-523 can detect the original transmission, here's what happens:

   ORIGINAL SIGNAL      REPEATED TRANSMISSION        TW-523 REPORT TO HV
         A-1
         A-1                    A-1                          A-1
         A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM                        A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM                        A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM
                                                             A-DIM

But if the TW-523 detects only the repeated transmission, here's what
happens:

   ORIGINAL SIGNAL      REPEATED TRANSMISSION        TW-523 REPORT TO HV
         A-1
         A-1                    A-1
         A-DIM                                               A-1
         A-DIM                  A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM                        A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM                        A-DIM
         A-DIM                  A-DIM

So depending on whether the TW-523 detects the original or repeated
transmission, there could be a different number of DIM commands reported to
HV.

But regardless of the repeater, all HV has to do is wait the specified time
(3 AC cycles at 60Hz) after one signal before transmitting.
--------------- end of quote ------------------

Regards,

Erich Whitney