Introduction
To best demonstrate the X10 communication system, we will explain
one of the simplest X10 configurations. It consists of a remote, a Transceiver,
and a Lamp Module. For our example we will use the following products:
- Palm Pad Remote (HR12A) [photo]
- Transceiver (TM751) [photo]
- Lamp Module (LM465) [photo]
Component Background
Let's take a moment to go over the basic descriptions and functions
of the components we will be using in our example.
Palm Pad
The Palm Pad Remote is a battery-operated, radio frequency (RF) transmitter.
It is used for turning devices on and off, and it can send dim or
brighten commands to Lamp Modules and Wall Switch Modules. The Palm
Pad can control all House/Unit codes (256 possible codes); however,
its House code dial can only be set to one House code at a time.
Transceiver
The Transceiver, which is short for transmitter/receiver, is an AC-powered
device with an antenna connected to its side. The Transceiver has
three functions:
- Receive X10 RF commands.
- Transmit X10 powerline commands.
- Function as an Appliance Module.
The Transceiver receives the RF command signals sent from the Palm
Pad. It decodes the signal and then transmits the command signals
on the house wiring in the proper format to reach an X10 module, such
as a Lamp Module. The Transceiver acts as a kind of "middle-man" between
the PalmPad and the Lamp Module.
Lamp Module
The Lamp Module is a receiver. It cannot transmit. Instead of using
the physical switch on a lamp, the Lamp Module acts as the switch
and also adds the capability of dimming and brightening the light.
The Lamp Module can only be used to control incandescent lamps. It
cannot control inductive loads, such as fluorescent lights, low-voltage
lights, or fans. For those types of items an Appliance Module should
be used.
Understanding Module
Ratings
The AM486 and AM466 Appliance Modules are both rated at 15A resistive,
1/3 HP inductive, and 500W for incandescent lamps.
15A x 120V = 1800W so the module can handle 1800W RESISTIVE, that
means a coffee pot, for example. The confusion usually arises from
the fact that the module is rated at only 500W for incandescent lamps
and so anyone with a little knowledge of Ohm's Law thinks this does
not compute. This is because UL limits the load to 500W for incandescent
lamps because there is an inrush current from a cold incandescent
lamp that can be up to 6 times higher than the normal operating current.
Also, 1HP equals 746W, and the module is rated for 1/3HP = 746/3
= 248W. But this is the limit UL imposes for inductive loads due to
their "stalled rotor test."
The HD243 and HD245 are connected across the two phases to give 220V.
They do not draw any current between either leg and ground. These
module have an "unconditional" UL rating of 15A and 20A respectively
and are therefore rated for ANY kind of load up to 3300W and 4400W
respectively (15A x 220V and 20A x 220V).
Also, the SR227 Split Receptacle module (which has a different relay
from the AM486 and AM466) has an unconditional rating of 15A, i.e.,
15A x 120V = 1800W, unconditional.
Confusing Terminology
Transmitter and Transceiver
Receiver
Setup
Setup of our example is quick and easy.
Configuring The Palm Pad
- Insert four AAA batteries into the Palm Pad's battery compartment.
- Set the House code dial on the Palm Pad to "A". The dial is located
in the bottom left corner of the remote.
- Set the Unit Selection Switch to "1-8". The switch is located
in the bottom right corner of the remote.
- Press one of the ON or OFF buttons. You should see the LED at
the top of the remote blink. This confirms the Palm Pad is operating.
Configuring The Transceiver
- Set the House dial on the face of the unit to "A".
- Temporarily plug an incandescent lamp into the outlet on the bottom
of the TM751 (first make sure the lamp's power switch is ON).
- Plug the Transceiver into an AC outlet.
- Press the ON/OFF button on the face of the unit. You should hear
the relay inside click, and the lamp will turn on or off. This verifies
that the Transceiver is connected to power and is ready to send
and receive commands.
- Press the ON/OFF button again until the relay (and the lamp) is
off.
- Extend the Transceiver's antenna.
Note: The TM751 Transceiver does not have a Unit dial. It is preset
to Unit code 1.
Configuring The Lamp Module
- Set the House dial to "A".
- Set the Unit dial to "2".
- Locate the lamp you wish to control. The Lamp Module is specifically
designed to control lamps using incandescent bulbs. If you wish
to control a fluorescent or low-voltage lamp, an Appliance Module
must be used. Note: Don't forget, the Transceiver functions as an
Appliance Module.
- Plug your lamp into an AC outlet.
- Turn the lamp on. Note: The lamp must have a regular ON/OFF switch.
Do not use the Lamp Module for lamps that already have a dimmer
on them.
- Leave the lamp's switch in the ON position. Unplug the lamp.
- Plug the lamp into the Lamp Module. The Lamp Module will now function
as the switch for the lamp.
- Plug the Lamp Module into an AC outlet.
Establishing Basic
X10 Communication
We are now ready to test the system. You will notice from the previous
procedures that all equipment has been set to the same House code. If
the devices were not set to the same House code, this example would
fail to work.
We will now confirm that the Transceiver will respond to commands
sent by the Palm Pad Remote.
Confirming RF Communication
- Since the default Unit code for the Transceiver is 1, we will
send the ON command for Unit 1. Press the ON button in the top row
of the Palm Pad (row 1 controls Unit 1, row 2 controls Unit 2, etc.).
If the Unit Selection Switch is set to "9-16", the top row is unit
9, the second is 10, and so on.
- You should hear the relay inside the Transceiver click on. The
click confirms that the Palm Pad is transmitting properly and the
Transceiver is receiving and responding to commands. If you do not
hear the click, press the OFF button on the remote instead. The
Transceiver's relay may already be in the ON position. If you still
have a lamp plugged into the Transceiver, it should turn on or off
as you send the commands.
Testing The Lamp Module
- Press the ON button on the Palm Pad for Unit 2 (second row).
- A moment later the light should turn on.
- Press the OFF button for Unit 2.
- A moment later the light should turn off. Note: Allow at
least one to two seconds between each command you send. There will
be a slight response delay depending on various conditions in your
home, such as the physical length of the powerline wire between
the Transceiver and the Addressable Power Supply.
Congratulations! You have just set up your first X10 system. All
other X10 products are usually variations of this basic setup.
Behind The Scenes
So the example worked, but what does it all mean? How does it all
work?
When a button on the Palm Pad is pressed, it transmits an RF signal
(at 310MHz, if you were wondering). The Transceiver detects the RF
signal and extracts the information (the House/Unit code and command).
Next, the Transceiver encodes the House/Unit code and command into
the proper X10 powerline carrier format and transmits it on your house
wiring. If the House/Unit code matches the Transceiver's House/Unit
code, it will respond to the command (ON/OFF only).
The powerline command travels along your house wiring. The Lamp
Module is monitoring the powerline for X10 commands. When it detects
an X10 command, it checks to see if the House/Unit code matches its
House/Unit code. If it matches, it follows the command given, provided
it is a command that the Lamp Module can accept.
Confused?
Let's think of the three devices (Palm Pad, Transceiver, and Lamp
Module) as people. The Palm Pad is a person who speaks French. The Lamp
Module is person who speaks English. The Transceiver is a person who
speaks French and English. The French person wants to tell the English
person to turn on the light switch. Since they speak different languages,
the English person will not understand any instructions to turn on the
light. This is where the French-English speaker comes in to translate.
This is the essence of the X10 addressable module system.
Caveats
For general use, you should not plug any X10 modules (Lamp Modules,
Appliance Modules, ActiveHome Interfaces, Addressable Power Supplies,
etc.) into surge protectors, power strips, plug splitters, or extension
cords because these devices can filter or significantly attenuate (reduce)
X10 powerline commands. This could result in intermittent communication.
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