x-10 and remote control

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Al - 29 Dec 2004 16:01 GMT

Does each x-10 module require a different code to operate with the Super
remote, or is it a matter of direction?
For instance, if x-10 controlled lamps are right next to each other and you
are across the room and point the remote
in their general direction, are you likely to affect both lamps by pressing
a single button?

Thanks in advance.

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rlsusenet@NOSPAMPUHLEEZschnapp.org - 29 Dec 2004 17:04 GMT

> Does each x-10 module require a different code to operate with the Super
> remote, or is it a matter of direction?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance.

X-10 remotes emit an encoded signal in an essentially omnidirectional
radio signal. There's no point to aiming an X-10 remote control.

The encoded signal will be picked up by an X-10 transceiver that you've
plugged into a wall outlet, somewhere. The transceiver looks like a
small white box with an antenna on it. They usually do double-duty as
an lamp or appliance module.

Transceivers appear to be tuned to a single house code (somebody will
correct me if I'm wrong), and will only respond to one of the 16
possible blocks of codes if it matches its selected house code. (The
house code is the first letter of a code, i.e., if the code is E6, the
house code is "E".) There are 16 house codes, A - P. Each house code
has 16 unit codes, 1-16.

When the transciever picks up a code meant for its selected block, it
will then rebroadcast that code over the house power lines. Any modules
connected to those lines will listen to these X-10 signals on the power
lines. If the module's code matches the broadcast code, it will execute
the command (on, off, dim).

So, the answer to your question is that if both lamps are plugged into
the same module, or if they are plugged into modules programmed with the
same code, they will generally both respond together. Their physical
location doesn't really matter much, so long as they are plugged into
modules that are on connected house power lines.

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Al - 30 Dec 2004 03:26 GMT

So if I understand your response:
I would simply program each module with a different code...something
I assume is do-able with the PC and appropriate software. Then, to affect
lamp A
I press button A on the remote and to affect lamp B I press button B on the
remote.
(What happens if you have more modules than buttons -- do you need more
remotes?)
This will work only if I am in range of the transceiver, and my distance
from the lamps
is irrelevant.

Have you visited their website FAQ? Would the following exchange change
your
response?

Q: Will ActiveHome Pro receive RF from remote controls and execute macros?
A: Yes. This is actually one of the key improvements that makes ActiveHome
Pro more responsive. It will receive a command directly from your RF remote
and start sending the X10 macro commands. This saves the time it used to
take by receiving the command first at a transceiver then passing that
command down the power line to the CM11A module. You'll see a definite
improvement in how fast your lighting scenes come alive.

> > Does each x-10 module require a different code to operate with the Super
> > remote, or is it a matter of direction?
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> location doesn't really matter much, so long as they are plugged into
> modules that are on connected house power lines.

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rlsusenet@NOSPAMPUHLEEZschnapp.org - 30 Dec 2004 05:45 GMT

> So if I understand your response:
> I would simply program each module with a different code...something
> I assume is do-able with the PC and appropriate software.

No, you have to use more sophisticated tools in order to program the
modules. A small screwdriver. You're just setting the position of two
16-position rotary switches (house code A-P and unit code 1-16)

> Then, to affect
> lamp A
> I press button A on the remote and to affect lamp B I press button B on the
> remote.

There are various kinds of remotes.

The HR12 ("switchpad?") can address all 16 unit codes on its buttons --
you have to set the house code with a screwdriver.

Keychain remotes are programmable for two to four consecutive unit codes
on any house code.

Wall switches can be programmed for up to 3 consecutive unit codes.

...and the list goes on and on, including various computer-controlled
remotes that can emit the radio signals or powerline signals on demand.

> (What happens if you have more modules than buttons -- do you need more
> remotes?)

I guess.

> This will work only if I am in range of the transceiver, and my distance
> from the lamps
> is irrelevant.

Essentially.

> Have you visited their website FAQ? Would the following exchange change
> your
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> command down the power line to the CM11A module. You'll see a definite
> improvement in how fast your lighting scenes come alive.

ActiveHome Pro is a product that consists of a Windows program and a
powerline interface, if I remember correctly. The powerline interface
is bidirectional, so it can receive a radio remote signal that's been
picked up by a transceiver on the powerline.

When the program detects a particular code, it can trigger a macro to
emit a bunch more codes, controlling a series of devices.

And, for what it's worth, there are also motion detectors that emit
radio codes. These can be used to directly control appliance or lamp
modules, or to trigger something like ActiveHome Pro to emit a series of
codes.

Keep in mind that X-10 can be very frustrating to use. It works 95% of
the time. And then there are the times when you cannot figure out why
the damned things are going nuts. Presumably, it's a combination of
noise on the lines and insufficiently robust circuit design.

It's good enough for non-critical use.

>>>Does each x-10 module require a different code to operate with the Super
>>>remote, or is it a matter of direction?
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>>location doesn't really matter much, so long as they are plugged into
>>modules that are on connected house power lines.

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Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / December 2004

x-10 and remote control