X10 Problems

[dmknerr]

mHi all.  I have a problem with a new X10 install.  I'm running into problems making the outlet I installed turn on or off though.  Here's what I know so far:

1. I installed the wall outlet using only white black and ground leads.  It is setup for A01.
2. I have the X10 module connected to a Psc04.
3. The Iobridge module is configured for X10 using the latest firmware.
4. I connected the X10 Smart card to the PSC04 using the supplied phone cable.
5. After restarting the Iobridge module, I get a green light on the smart board.  The PSC04 light is red.M
6. I created an x10 widget using the correct channel, house and unit IDs.
7. When I click on the On or Off widget, the iobridge shows the smart board LED blink off, then back to green. While this happens, the display on the Iobridge flashes to 2 then goes back to normal.

Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?  Did I connect the wall outlet improperly?

Thanks in advance for help.
Dave
 

[iobridge]

Sounds good.

The "2" means that the widget is contacting channel 2 on the module. Is that the channel where the X10 smart board is installed?

[dmknerr]

Thats correct. It is on the 2nd channel.

[dmknerr]

I've also just tried moving the ioBridge and X10 PSC04 upstairs to the same circuit that the X10 outlet is on and I am seeing the same results. Any suggestions?

[whitehexagon]

The X10 wired equipment I'm using has 3 connections (european so different colours), the neutral, live and load.  So for me, I connect as follows:

--ground-----------------------socket ground
--neutral-----x10 neutral-----socket neutral
--live---------x10 live
                   x10 load--------socket live

But if you are not sure then get a professional electrical engineer to check the connections for you.

Can you also test the switching of the socket with any other x10 controllers?

The other thing to consider is interference from other electrical devices.   Here I have a LCD TV that blocks/interferes with about half of my connected x10 devices.  Unplug the TV and things work fine, so I'm looking for a filter to solve that.

[dmknerr]

Hi, I think I found the problem but don't know how to resolve it.
If I have the PSC04 plugged into an outlet on the same circuit breaker, I can control the x10 outlet.

Does anyone know what might cause this to fail if they are one separate breakers of the same panel box?

Thanks,
Dave

[whitehexagon]

If your property has a 3 phase supply rather than a single phase supply you'll have difficulty to send signals 'across' the phases.   ie your sockets might be load balanced across more multiple phases.  there is an expensive box that can duplication x10 signals across all 3 phases, but your simplest solution is probably just keeping the controller and the receiver on the same phase.  PS That doesn't necessary mean on a single breaker.

[nick]

Google "x10 signal bridge."