Controlling Ceiling Light That Has 2 Switches?

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(PeteCresswell) - 13 Jul 2009 01:40 GMT

I've got some X10 appliance modules.

Also have a ceiling light in the rec room that occasionally gets
left on all night just out of carelessness.

I'd like to put an X10 module in somewhere and have an mControl
event turn it off unconditionally at, say, 11 pm.

Problem is that there are two wall switches, each with more than
two wires and my understanding (and X10 modules) stops at two
wires.

Is there a way?

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PeteCresswell

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David White - 13 Jul 2009 01:45 GMT

> I've got some X10 appliance modules.
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Is there a way?

I did the same thing by replacing the wall switches. They make one
specifically for a single circuit controlled by two switches. Of course
this does not help you use up your extra appliance modules.

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Bill Kearney - 13 Jul 2009 02:14 GMT

> Problem is that there are two wall switches, each with more than
> two wires and my understanding (and X10 modules) stops at two
> wires.
>
> Is there a way?

Yes, use 3-way X-10 switches. If they're 3-way switch in there now it could
be a simple change.

For an in-use room it might be problematic to use an automatic shut off
schedule. You run afoul of turning off the lights just as someone's walking
across the room or on stairs. Whoops. I used a motion sensor to help
decide if it was OK to kill the lights. If motion had been detected within
the last 5 minutes it would postone the shut-off. Kept the system from
snapping the lights off on me just as I was walking up the steps with my
hands full.

-Bill Kearney

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Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / July 2009

Controlling Ceiling Light That Has 2 Switches?