From: Rick B. <rb...@ca...> - 2005-11-29 13:55:56
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Has anyone measured how much power the Insteon (Switchlink) switches draw (as compared to the standard X10 switchlinks)? Seems its running a bit more circuitry (rf, x10 and Insteon receivers), so I wondered how that all added up in comparison. Rick |
From: Jason S. <ja...@sh...> - 2005-11-29 22:19:53
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Hi Rick! I gave this some thought since you asked at the presentation and I doubt the Insteon switches draw significantly more power than the X10 2-way versions. - the power line carrier circuity is probably the same - the PIC processor line is probably the same (if not improved for power consumption) - the insteon switches dont have RF, only PLC. - the phyiscal package is a lot smaller now and I have noticed they dont produce as much heat (had two of them side by side when I swapped out the other one, may have been a different light load though) I will echo your question in the dev forum though and see what the engineer there has to say. -J On Tue, 29 Nov 2005, Rick Bolen wrote: > > Has anyone measured how much power the Insteon (Switchlink) switches draw > (as compared to the standard X10 switchlinks)? > > Seems its running a bit more circuitry (rf, x10 and Insteon receivers), so I > wondered how that all added up in comparison. > > Rick > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Do you grep through log files > for problems? Stop! Download the new AJAX search engine that makes > searching your log files as easy as surfing the web. DOWNLOAD SPLUNK! > http://ads.osdn.com/?ad_id=7637&alloc_id=16865&op=click > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=1365 > > |
From: Tom <tom...@co...> - 2005-11-29 22:34:32
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Are you sure about this? Isn't that one of the advantages of Insteon? That all devices receive the signal via powerline and RF? If not, is the switch simply a 2-way switch that sends acknowledgment of receiving the signal? >- the insteon switches dont have RF, only PLC. > |
From: Jason S. <ja...@sh...> - 2005-11-29 23:53:53
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On Tue, 29 Nov 2005, Tom wrote: > If not, is the switch simply a 2-way switch that sends acknowledgment of > receiving the signal? > It does one additional thing that is important; It also repeats all other Insteon packets for other devices to hear on the PLC. |
From: Neil C. <nc...@co...> - 2005-11-30 01:09:54
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Jason Sharpee wrote: > On Tue, 29 Nov 2005, Tom wrote: > >> If not, is the switch simply a 2-way switch that sends acknowledgment of >> receiving the signal? >> > > It does one additional thing that is important; It also repeats all other > Insteon packets for other devices to hear on the PLC. The Insteon modules are 'pingable', they repeat (as Jason said), they are accessible to X10 if setup so, you're supposed to be able to modify the parameters (such as ramp up time). They currently don't let you know when someone manual turns them on or off. That last one I wish they had. Though I seem to recall the X10 part doing that (do not trust me on that!). -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nc...@li... http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ Backup site |
From: Mark T. <ma...@th...> - 2005-11-30 03:39:11
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Tom wrote: > Are you sure about this? Isn't that one of the advantages of > Insteon? That all devices receive the signal via powerline and RF? > No, that's one of the myths of Insteon. Insteon is primarily a powerline protocol. All the switches and modules are powerline-only. The RF is used to couple phases, or to perform like a TM751 or RR501 and transfer the remote's signals to the powerline. Another one of the myths is that there is security built in. The Signalincs will repeat any RF they hear; including your neighbors'. There are no filters or blockers available, either for RF or the electrical panel. Apparently, another myth is that there are two-way switches available. The fact they don't signal a manual change is a new one for me, and quite disappointing. Despite these things, they are have some advantages: the protocol seems to be reliable, they look good, and the price is right. - Mark. |
From: Neil C. <nc...@co...> - 2005-11-30 19:17:46
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Mark Thomas wrote: > Tom wrote: >> Are you sure about this? Isn't that one of the advantages of >> Insteon? That all devices receive the signal via powerline and RF? >> > No, that's one of the myths of Insteon. Insteon is primarily a powerline > protocol. All the switches and modules are powerline-only. The RF is > used to couple phases, or to perform like a TM751 or RR501 and transfer > the remote's signals to the powerline. The RF devices will repeat power line commands too (at least that's what the protocol says). > Another one of the myths is that there is security built in. The > Signalincs will repeat any RF they hear; including your neighbors'. > There are no filters or blockers available, either for RF or the > electrical panel. Security is a bit weird, If your neighbors device get repeated to you power line the controller and modules will ignore the packet because it's not registered. So your neighbor can't control your devices and you won't be able to control theirs. Of course there are ways around this but they are difficult. > Apparently, another myth is that there are two-way switches available. > The fact they don't signal a manual change is a new one for me, and > quite disappointing. I'm disappointed in that too. But you can poll the device (yuck!). -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nc...@li... http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ Backup site |
From: Gregg L. <gr...@li...> - 2005-12-01 17:14:14
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Quoting Neil Cherry (11/30/05 2:17 PM): > Mark Thomas wrote: >> Apparently, another myth is that there are two-way switches available. >> The fact they don't signal a manual change is a new one for me, and >> quite disappointing. > > > I'm disappointed in that too. But you can poll the device (yuck!). > Neil, After perusing the insteon developer forum, I'm wondering if "dual linking" the device to the PLC (where the PLC is now a "slave") so that the device sends notifications (insteon only--not x10) will address the above issue. Had you considered it and dismissed it, or were you answering a X10-2-way only question (since dual linking only applies to the insteon protocol)? Admittedly, the process of creating such a link appears to be awkward; but AFAICT you do then get notifications on local switch tap(s). Does iplcd provide support for creating "dual link(s)" or must you perform manual "extended pokes" into the non-PLC database map? Gregg |
From: Neil C. <nc...@co...> - 2005-12-01 17:44:14
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Gregg Liming wrote: > Quoting Neil Cherry (11/30/05 2:17 PM): >> Mark Thomas wrote: >>> Apparently, another myth is that there are two-way switches available. >>> The fact they don't signal a manual change is a new one for me, and >>> quite disappointing. >> >> I'm disappointed in that too. But you can poll the device (yuck!). >> > > Neil, > > After perusing the insteon developer forum, I'm wondering if "dual > linking" the device to the PLC (where the PLC is now a "slave") so that > the device sends notifications (insteon only--not x10) will address the > above issue. Had you considered it and dismissed it, or were you > answering a X10-2-way only question (since dual linking only applies to > the insteon protocol)? I may be unaware of this Insteon capability. I just downloaded the Oct Dev pdf but I haven't had a chance to check it. I know a little bit about the X10 setup (accidentally found that) where it sends a change update (very cool). Bu t I'm unaware of any Insteon setup > Admittedly, the process of creating such a link appears to be awkward; > but AFAICT you do then get notifications on local switch tap(s). Does > iplcd provide support for creating "dual link(s)" or must you perform > manual "extended pokes" into the non-PLC database map? The iplcd is simply a gateway between TCP (telnet like) access and the PowerLinc V2 (serial only at the moment). I made sure there is a manual way to send commands (!c hex codes ......) so that testing can be done. It's how I figured out the USB control stuff. BTW, I'm able to communicate with the USB PowerLinc V2 using Perl and I hope to have enough to create a beta iplc.pm. It won't be the final product as I have to figure out a lot of stuff so changes will be made and portability considered later. I do want to support the serial and USB with one module but I'm not that good at the moment and I still have the book to take care of. I just can't stand having 2 CM11A's, 2 PowerLinc's, a TI103 and a whole lot of other controllers (and wires) under my feet. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nc...@li... http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ Backup site |
From: Neil C. <nc...@co...> - 2005-11-29 23:06:12
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Tom wrote: > Are you sure about this? Isn't that one of the advantages of Insteon? > That all devices receive the signal via powerline and RF? > > If not, is the switch simply a 2-way switch that sends acknowledgment of > receiving the signal? > > >> - the insteon switches dont have RF, only PLC. Only the SignaLinc supports RF and Power line. Their diagram on that subject is very confusing. The PLC and modules don't support RF. For now take the RF out of the Picture. The RF is currently used to bridge the phases and it works really well! -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nc...@li... http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ Backup site |
From: Jason S. <ja...@sh...> - 2005-11-29 23:51:23
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> >> - the insteon switches dont have RF, only PLC. Sorry for the confusion, I meant PLC as in Power Line Carrier (zero-crossing communication protocol), not the PC interface to Insteon. Neil is correct, only their signallinc (The one with the obvious antenna) and the black remote has RF. -J On Tue, 29 Nov 2005, Neil Cherry wrote: > Tom wrote: > > Are you sure about this? Isn't that one of the advantages of Insteon? > > That all devices receive the signal via powerline and RF? > > > > If not, is the switch simply a 2-way switch that sends acknowledgment of > > receiving the signal? > > > > > >> - the insteon switches dont have RF, only PLC. > > Only the SignaLinc supports RF and Power line. Their diagram on > that subject is very confusing. The PLC and modules don't support > RF. For now take the RF out of the Picture. The RF is currently > used to bridge the phases and it works really well! > > -- > Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry nc...@li... > http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site > http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog > http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ Backup site > > > ------------------------------------------------------- > This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Do you grep through log files > for problems? Stop! Download the new AJAX search engine that makes > searching your log files as easy as surfing the web. DOWNLOAD SPLUNK! > http://ads.osdn.com/?ad_id=7637&alloc_id=16865&op=click > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=1365 > > |