HA Issue

[Brad]

Good Morning All,

I seem to be having an issue with a couple of Smarthome PowerLincs.
My tw523's all work fine as does my XTB and CM11. Over the last couple
of weeks I seem to be getting a lot of failures on the X10 portion of
my system.

In my garage for example, I monitor my well pump, an rf motion
detector in the driveway, and a motion detector at my back gate. Latley
I have little or no communication with these devices. The garage system
uses a custom built pic board with a PowerLinc.

My front yard low voltage lighting is partly controlled by a
PowerLinc and a custom built pic board. It is not receiving X10 from my
system.

My question is. These PowerLincs seem to be somewhat smart. Is there
a way to reset them other then to remove power? Is there an issue with
these units? I am using them in plain old tw523 mode. I am starting to
get fustrated with these units. I bought a couple of SwitchLincs a
while back and all they did was slam my system with a bunch of X10
traffic. Can the PowerLincs do that to?

Thanks For Your Time
Brad

[Dave Houston]

I think you are referring to the 1132B. I bought one when they were
introduced and found that they were overly sensitive to low level and
out-of-band (I think) noise. They would become deaf to the powerline. I
never found any way to fix it. Someone who sells thousands of TW523s was
looking at using them but experienced the same problem.

All of their later models appear to have the same issue. The LEDs on the
2000STW lamp modules and 2414S interface would flicker rapidly if on the
same circuit with an older MultiSync monitor. I could not see any noise on
my scope through an ACT Scope-Test2 which is why I think it was reacting to
something out of the normal X-10 frequency band.

"Brad" <bsnedek@gmail.com> wrote:

>Good Morning All,
>
> I seem to be having an issue with a couple of Smarthome PowerLincs.
>My tw523's all work fine as does my XTB and CM11. Over the last couple
>of weeks I seem to be getting a lot of failures on the X10 portion of
>my system.
>
> In my garage for example, I monitor my well pump, an rf motion
>detector in the driveway, and a motion detector at my back gate. Latley
>I have little or no communication with these devices. The garage system
>uses a custom built pic board with a PowerLinc.
>
> My front yard low voltage lighting is partly controlled by a
>PowerLinc and a custom built pic board. It is not receiving X10 from my
>system.
>
> My question is. These PowerLincs seem to be somewhat smart. Is there
>a way to reset them other then to remove power? Is there an issue with
>these units? I am using them in plain old tw523 mode. I am starting to
>get fustrated with these units. I bought a couple of SwitchLincs a
>while back and all they did was slam my system with a bunch of X10
>traffic. Can the PowerLincs do that to?
>
>Thanks For Your Time
> Brad


http://www.davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

[Brad]

Thanks Dave,

yup, 1132B PowerLinc. And that was my exact issue with the
SwitchLincs. They would just flash away, and never accept the assigned
House and Unit I sent them.

Sooo, It sounds like I need to switch to the tw523 or psc05. Thats
not too bad I only have 2 PowerLincs to replace. Then I can take one
apart and see if it can be tuned alittle better.

I thought about the noise issue so I barrowed an ELK signal
detector. Thanks to Jeff's XTB I have tons of signal but really never
saw much noise on the ELK. Thats why I was fustrated with this.

Thanks for the tip
Brad

On Oct 19, 8:30 am, nob...@whocares.com (Dave Houston) wrote:
> I think you are referring to the 1132B. I bought one when they were
> introduced and found that they were overly sensitive to low level and
> out-of-band (I think) noise. They would become deaf to the powerline. I
> never found any way to fix it. Someone who sells thousands of TW523s was
> looking at using them but experienced the same problem.
>
> All of their later models appear to have the same issue. The LEDs on the
> 2000STW lamp modules and 2414S interface would flicker rapidly if on the
> same circuit with an older MultiSync monitor. I could not see any noise on
> my scope through an ACT Scope-Test2 which is why I think it was reacting to
> something out of the normal X-10 frequency band.
>
>
>
> "Brad" <bsne...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >Good Morning All,
>
> > I seem to be having an issue with a couple of Smarthome PowerLincs.
> >My tw523's all work fine as does my XTB and CM11. Over the last couple
> >of weeks I seem to be getting a lot of failures on the X10 portion of
> >my system.
>
> > In my garage for example, I monitor my well pump, an rf motion
> >detector in the driveway, and a motion detector at my back gate. Latley
> >I have little or no communication with these devices. The garage system
> >uses a custom built pic board with a PowerLinc.
>
> > My front yard low voltage lighting is partly controlled by a
> >PowerLinc and a custom built pic board. It is not receiving X10 from my
> >system.
>
> > My question is. These PowerLincs seem to be somewhat smart. Is there
> >a way to reset them other then to remove power? Is there an issue with
> >these units? I am using them in plain old tw523 mode. I am starting to
> >get fustrated with these units. I bought a couple of SwitchLincs a
> >while back and all they did was slam my system with a bunch of X10
> >traffic. Can the PowerLincs do that to?
>
> >Thanks For Your Time
> > Bradhttp://www.davehouston.nethttp://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
> roZetta-subscr...@yahoogroups.com

[Brad]

Hey Dave,

I just got done looking around for that ACT Scope-Test2 setup. I
can't seem to find them online. Got any hints as to where I may
purchase one from. Looks like a better tool then the little Elk tester
I barrowed from a friend.

I like to see whats going on.

Thanks again
Brad
Brad wrote:
> Thanks Dave,
>
> yup, 1132B PowerLinc. And that was my exact issue with the
> SwitchLincs. They would just flash away, and never accept the assigned
> House and Unit I sent them.
>
> Sooo, It sounds like I need to switch to the tw523 or psc05. Thats
> not too bad I only have 2 PowerLincs to replace. Then I can take one
> apart and see if it can be tuned alittle better.
>
> I thought about the noise issue so I barrowed an ELK signal
> detector. Thanks to Jeff's XTB I have tons of signal but really never
> saw much noise on the ELK. Thats why I was fustrated with this.
>
> Thanks for the tip
> Brad
>
> On Oct 19, 8:30 am, nob...@whocares.com (Dave Houston) wrote:
> > I think you are referring to the 1132B. I bought one when they were
> > introduced and found that they were overly sensitive to low level and
> > out-of-band (I think) noise. They would become deaf to the powerline. I
> > never found any way to fix it. Someone who sells thousands of TW523s was
> > looking at using them but experienced the same problem.
> >
> > All of their later models appear to have the same issue. The LEDs on the
> > 2000STW lamp modules and 2414S interface would flicker rapidly if on the
> > same circuit with an older MultiSync monitor. I could not see any noise on
> > my scope through an ACT Scope-Test2 which is why I think it was reacting to
> > something out of the normal X-10 frequency band.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Brad" <bsne...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >Good Morning All,
> >
> > > I seem to be having an issue with a couple of Smarthome PowerLincs.
> > >My tw523's all work fine as does my XTB and CM11. Over the last couple
> > >of weeks I seem to be getting a lot of failures on the X10 portion of
> > >my system.
> >
> > > In my garage for example, I monitor my well pump, an rf motion
> > >detector in the driveway, and a motion detector at my back gate. Latley
> > >I have little or no communication with these devices. The garage system
> > >uses a custom built pic board with a PowerLinc.
> >
> > > My front yard low voltage lighting is partly controlled by a
> > >PowerLinc and a custom built pic board. It is not receiving X10 from my
> > >system.
> >
> > > My question is. These PowerLincs seem to be somewhat smart. Is there
> > >a way to reset them other then to remove power? Is there an issue with
> > >these units? I am using them in plain old tw523 mode. I am starting to
> > >get fustrated with these units. I bought a couple of SwitchLincs a
> > >while back and all they did was slam my system with a bunch of X10
> > >traffic. Can the PowerLincs do that to?
> >
> > >Thanks For Your Time
> > > Bradhttp://www.davehouston.nethttp://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
> > roZetta-subscr...@yahoogroups.com

[Dave Houston]

Here's ACT's PDF...

http://www.act-solutions.com/pdfs/PCCInst/scopetest2_instr.pdf

and web page...

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCCHPWOrderInfo.htm

I got mine from Worthington but I don't think it's listed in their online
catalog and it's no longer in their print catalog. I believe ACT has
abandoned this market and bet the farm on A-10 and Z-Wave.

You can use 3 resistors and a capacitor to accomplish more or less the same
thing. See Microchip's AN236, Appendix C-3 for the values. It blocks most of
the 60Hz although you'll still see a wee bit. It has the advantage of being
a low-pass filter so you might see higher frequencies than what the
Scope-Test2 or ESM1 will pass. (IIRC, Paul Beam, who designed the ESM1, told
me it passes ~75-175kHz.) I was never able to see what was affecting the
Smarthome devices.

FWIW, an LM14A performed flawlessly in the same outlet where the 1132B and
other Smarthome modules would not. And the 2000STW and 2414S are OK in other
circuits. So I think it was akin to "no seeums".

BTW, search this group on "John Galvin 1132B" and you'll find a schematic of
the 1132B. I don't think you will be able to easily improve the tuning but
you can create your own PIC or perhaps incorporate the needed functionality
in your current PIC.

John Galvin also did a schematic of the ESM1 which you can find in the same
way.

"Brad" <bsnedek@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hey Dave,
>
> I just got done looking around for that ACT Scope-Test2 setup. I
>can't seem to find them online. Got any hints as to where I may
>purchase one from. Looks like a better tool then the little Elk tester
>I barrowed from a friend.
>
> I like to see whats going on.
>
> Thanks again
> Brad
>Brad wrote:
>> Thanks Dave,
>>
>> yup, 1132B PowerLinc. And that was my exact issue with the
>> SwitchLincs. They would just flash away, and never accept the assigned
>> House and Unit I sent them.
>>
>> Sooo, It sounds like I need to switch to the tw523 or psc05. Thats
>> not too bad I only have 2 PowerLincs to replace. Then I can take one
>> apart and see if it can be tuned alittle better.
>>
>> I thought about the noise issue so I barrowed an ELK signal
>> detector. Thanks to Jeff's XTB I have tons of signal but really never
>> saw much noise on the ELK. Thats why I was fustrated with this.
>>
>> Thanks for the tip
>> Brad
>>
>> On Oct 19, 8:30 am, nob...@whocares.com (Dave Houston) wrote:
>> > I think you are referring to the 1132B. I bought one when they were
>> > introduced and found that they were overly sensitive to low level and
>> > out-of-band (I think) noise. They would become deaf to the powerline. I
>> > never found any way to fix it. Someone who sells thousands of TW523s was
>> > looking at using them but experienced the same problem.
>> >
>> > All of their later models appear to have the same issue. The LEDs on the
>> > 2000STW lamp modules and 2414S interface would flicker rapidly if on the
>> > same circuit with an older MultiSync monitor. I could not see any noise on
>> > my scope through an ACT Scope-Test2 which is why I think it was reacting to
>> > something out of the normal X-10 frequency band.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > "Brad" <bsne...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > >Good Morning All,
>> >
>> > > I seem to be having an issue with a couple of Smarthome PowerLincs.
>> > >My tw523's all work fine as does my XTB and CM11. Over the last couple
>> > >of weeks I seem to be getting a lot of failures on the X10 portion of
>> > >my system.
>> >
>> > > In my garage for example, I monitor my well pump, an rf motion
>> > >detector in the driveway, and a motion detector at my back gate. Latley
>> > >I have little or no communication with these devices. The garage system
>> > >uses a custom built pic board with a PowerLinc.
>> >
>> > > My front yard low voltage lighting is partly controlled by a
>> > >PowerLinc and a custom built pic board. It is not receiving X10 from my
>> > >system.
>> >
>> > > My question is. These PowerLincs seem to be somewhat smart. Is there
>> > >a way to reset them other then to remove power? Is there an issue with
>> > >these units? I am using them in plain old tw523 mode. I am starting to
>> > >get fustrated with these units. I bought a couple of SwitchLincs a
>> > >while back and all they did was slam my system with a bunch of X10
>> > >traffic. Can the PowerLincs do that to?
>> >
>> > >Thanks For Your Time
>> > > Bradhttp://www.davehouston.nethttp://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
>> > roZetta-subscr...@yahoogroups.com


http://www.davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

[Dave Houston]

I shoulda said "high-pass" filter.

nobody@whocares.com (Dave Houston) wrote:

>Here's ACT's PDF...
>
> http://www.act-solutions.com/pdfs/PCCInst/scopetest2_instr.pdf
>
>and web page...
>
> http://www.act-solutions.com/PCCHPWOrderInfo.htm
>
>I got mine from Worthington but I don't think it's listed in their online
>catalog and it's no longer in their print catalog. I believe ACT has
>abandoned this market and bet the farm on A-10 and Z-Wave.
>
>You can use 3 resistors and a capacitor to accomplish more or less the same
>thing. See Microchip's AN236, Appendix C-3 for the values. It blocks most of
>the 60Hz although you'll still see a wee bit. It has the advantage of being
>a low-pass filter so you might see higher frequencies than what the
>Scope-Test2 or ESM1 will pass. (IIRC, Paul Beam, who designed the ESM1, told
>me it passes ~75-175kHz.) I was never able to see what was affecting the
>Smarthome devices.
>
>FWIW, an LM14A performed flawlessly in the same outlet where the 1132B and
>other Smarthome modules would not. And the 2000STW and 2414S are OK in other
>circuits. So I think it was akin to "no seeums".
>
>BTW, search this group on "John Galvin 1132B" and you'll find a schematic of
>the 1132B. I don't think you will be able to easily improve the tuning but
>you can create your own PIC or perhaps incorporate the needed functionality
>in your current PIC.
>
>John Galvin also did a schematic of the ESM1 which you can find in the same
>way.
>
>"Brad" <bsnedek@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Hey Dave,
>>
>> I just got done looking around for that ACT Scope-Test2 setup. I
>>can't seem to find them online. Got any hints as to where I may
>>purchase one from. Looks like a better tool then the little Elk tester
>>I barrowed from a friend.
>>
>> I like to see whats going on.
>>
>> Thanks again
>> Brad
>>Brad wrote:
>>> Thanks Dave,
>>>
>>> yup, 1132B PowerLinc. And that was my exact issue with the
>>> SwitchLincs. They would just flash away, and never accept the assigned
>>> House and Unit I sent them.
>>>
>>> Sooo, It sounds like I need to switch to the tw523 or psc05. Thats
>>> not too bad I only have 2 PowerLincs to replace. Then I can take one
>>> apart and see if it can be tuned alittle better.
>>>
>>> I thought about the noise issue so I barrowed an ELK signal
>>> detector. Thanks to Jeff's XTB I have tons of signal but really never
>>> saw much noise on the ELK. Thats why I was fustrated with this.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the tip
>>> Brad
>>>
>>> On Oct 19, 8:30 am, nob...@whocares.com (Dave Houston) wrote:
>>> > I think you are referring to the 1132B. I bought one when they were
>>> > introduced and found that they were overly sensitive to low level and
>>> > out-of-band (I think) noise. They would become deaf to the powerline. I
>>> > never found any way to fix it. Someone who sells thousands of TW523s was
>>> > looking at using them but experienced the same problem.
>>> >
>>> > All of their later models appear to have the same issue. The LEDs on the
>>> > 2000STW lamp modules and 2414S interface would flicker rapidly if on the
>>> > same circuit with an older MultiSync monitor. I could not see any noise on
>>> > my scope through an ACT Scope-Test2 which is why I think it was reacting to
>>> > something out of the normal X-10 frequency band.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > "Brad" <bsne...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> > >Good Morning All,
>>> >
>>> > > I seem to be having an issue with a couple of Smarthome PowerLincs.
>>> > >My tw523's all work fine as does my XTB and CM11. Over the last couple
>>> > >of weeks I seem to be getting a lot of failures on the X10 portion of
>>> > >my system.
>>> >
>>> > > In my garage for example, I monitor my well pump, an rf motion
>>> > >detector in the driveway, and a motion detector at my back gate. Latley
>>> > >I have little or no communication with these devices. The garage system
>>> > >uses a custom built pic board with a PowerLinc.
>>> >
>>> > > My front yard low voltage lighting is partly controlled by a
>>> > >PowerLinc and a custom built pic board. It is not receiving X10 from my
>>> > >system.
>>> >
>>> > > My question is. These PowerLincs seem to be somewhat smart. Is there
>>> > >a way to reset them other then to remove power? Is there an issue with
>>> > >these units? I am using them in plain old tw523 mode. I am starting to
>>> > >get fustrated with these units. I bought a couple of SwitchLincs a
>>> > >while back and all they did was slam my system with a bunch of X10
>>> > >traffic. Can the PowerLincs do that to?
>>> >
>>> > >Thanks For Your Time
>>> > > Bradhttp://www.davehouston.nethttp://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
>>> > roZetta-subscr...@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>http://www.davehouston.net
>http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
>roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


http://www.davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

[Robert L Bass]

> I seem to be having an issue with a couple
> of Smarthome PowerLincs...

You and a few thousand others. :^)

[Joerg]

Hello Robert,


>>I seem to be having an issue with a couple
>>of Smarthome PowerLincs...
>
> You and a few thousand others. :^)
>

Makes me wonder, doesn't this stuff get thoroughly tested? Unreliable
PLC does such grave damage to the reputation of HA.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com

[Robert L Bass]

> Makes me wonder, doesn't this stuff get
> thoroughly tested? Unreliable PLC does
> such grave damage to the reputation of HA.

There are a few proponents of the "Linc" stuff who post here. However, I've heard far more complaints of dysfunctional 'Linc
components than almost any other product line. One sage poster commented that "SmartHome doesn't sell low quality hardware unless
it has their name on it". :^)

Since I compete with them I won't comment on the store up or down. However, I don't recommend 'Linc products.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

[Dave Houston]

Just to add a bit of detail...

I have 3 of the 2000STW lamp modules. None would set the address, flashing
the LED randomly, if on the same circuit with the MultiSync XV15 but all
were OK in another circuit and all were OK if I plugged the monitor into two
filters. One filter was insufficient. I had one Leviton 5A filter and one
home-brew that consisted only of the choke from an X-10 lamp module.

Initially, I bought a single 2000STW just to test it. When this problem
appeared Smarthome replaced it plus they gave me two more modules. All three
act the same although there are minor differences in sensitivity (i.e. one
was OK with a single filter, one other seemed to be on the cusp with a
single filter and one always needed both filters).

According to the specifications, they are far more sensitive than any of the
X10 made gear. IIRC they claim 10mV sensitivity. (They claim even better
sensitivity for Insteon.) I think the increased sensitivity might be a
two-edged sword. Assuming they count cycles ala X10 to determine 1 or 0
(>=48 between ZC+250µS & ZC+900µS is a logic 1 for an X10 receiver - except
the CM15A), they might be counting low level noise pulses, getting into an
endless loop, seeing continuous pulses but also seeing everything as invalid
Manchester code.

The MultiSync XV15 monitor has since died and gone to the landfill so I'll
never know the details of what it was putting out but the modules might have
been seeing low-level, spikey type noise from the monitors PS or flyback. I
bought the monitor for half-price as a refurb (from NEC) and got about 12
years use so I can't complain.

A lot of people have posted favorably about SwitchLincs, LampLincs,
PowerLincs, etc. while others have seen what you saw. I suspect its the same
issue that I had which is tough to troubleshoot if you can't see any obvious
noise on a scope or with the ESM1. The fact that the LM14A was flawless w/o
filtering made it obvious that there was something that only affected the
LampLincs.

"Brad" <bsnedek@gmail.com> wrote:

> yup, 1132B PowerLinc. And that was my exact issue with the
>SwitchLincs. They would just flash away, and never accept the assigned
>House and Unit I sent them.


http://www.davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

[Brad]

Thanks for the input guys,

Just finished ordering the replacements. And I also found a X10
schmo for my scope. So I'll build that and of couse isolate my scope
ground and see what I can see.

Dave, are there any off base harmonics that you know of I should
look for? Like multiples of 120khz. I do use Jeff Voltz XTB, Could it
be amplifying off base freqs?

Well I guess anything is possible.

Thanks for the help
Brad

On Oct 20, 4:12 am, nob...@whocares.com (Dave Houston) wrote:
> Just to add a bit of detail...
>
> I have 3 of the 2000STW lamp modules. None would set the address, flashing
> the LED randomly, if on the same circuit with the MultiSync XV15 but all
> were OK in another circuit and all were OK if I plugged the monitor into two
> filters. One filter was insufficient. I had one Leviton 5A filter and one
> home-brew that consisted only of the choke from an X-10 lamp module.
>
> Initially, I bought a single 2000STW just to test it. When this problem
> appeared Smarthome replaced it plus they gave me two more modules. All three
> act the same although there are minor differences in sensitivity (i.e. one
> was OK with a single filter, one other seemed to be on the cusp with a
> single filter and one always needed both filters).
>
> According to the specifications, they are far more sensitive than any of the
> X10 made gear. IIRC they claim 10mV sensitivity. (They claim even better
> sensitivity for Insteon.) I think the increased sensitivity might be a
> two-edged sword. Assuming they count cycles ala X10 to determine 1 or 0
> (>=48 between ZC+250µS & ZC+900µS is a logic 1 for an X10 receiver - except
> the CM15A), they might be counting low level noise pulses, getting into an
> endless loop, seeing continuous pulses but also seeing everything as invalid
> Manchester code.
>
> The MultiSync XV15 monitor has since died and gone to the landfill so I'll
> never know the details of what it was putting out but the modules might have
> been seeing low-level, spikey type noise from the monitors PS or flyback.I
> bought the monitor for half-price as a refurb (from NEC) and got about 12
> years use so I can't complain.
>
> A lot of people have posted favorably about SwitchLincs, LampLincs,
> PowerLincs, etc. while others have seen what you saw. I suspect its the same
> issue that I had which is tough to troubleshoot if you can't see any obvious
> noise on a scope or with the ESM1. The fact that the LM14A was flawless w/o
> filtering made it obvious that there was something that only affected the
> LampLincs.
>
> "Brad" <bsne...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > yup, 1132B PowerLinc. And that was my exact issue with the
> >SwitchLincs. They would just flash away, and never accept the assigned
> >House and Unit I sent them.http://www.davehouston.nethttp://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
> roZetta-subscr...@yahoogroups.com

[Dave Houston]

I doubt that it's harmonics. More likely its just low-level spikey noise
since it affects the *Lincs but not the less sensitive LM14A. The LM14A does
have less bandwidth than other X-10 devices. Off the top of my head I think
the LM14A went to ~175kHz while other lamp modules responded to >200kHz. I
don't recall whether I tested any of the LampLincs for bandwidth.

The XTB could exacerbate the problem for the *Lincs if it amplifies low
level noise to the point where the *Lincs can detect it. Jeff had some noise
issues but I don't recall the details. It would be better to let him address
this point.

IIRC the LampLincs have 10mV sensitivity vs. 50-100mV sensitivity for most
other makes of X10 receivers.

If you look at the 1132B schematic, there's not much there. They use the
same I/O transformer as X-10. The link below has links to all of John
Galvin's schematics.

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.home.automation/browse_frm/thread/de6c29de3c6b3420/b5c6b361a0f7b9fe?lnk=st&q=&rnum=3&hl=en#b5c6b361a0f7b9fe

Without values for the caps and resistors it's hard to determine whether the
1132B counts transitions (I think so) or whether it has a low-pass filter
and the PIC just sees the data envelope. I'm fairly sure it counts
transitions but you can put your scope on it to be sure.

"Brad" <bsnedek@gmail.com> wrote:

> Dave, are there any off base harmonics that you know of I should
>look for? Like multiples of 120khz. I do use Jeff Voltz XTB, Could it
>be amplifying off base freqs?


http://www.davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

[Jeff Volp]

The XTB includes an amplifier in the return signal path to make up for
signal lost in the coupling networks. That amplifier provides some gain to
low-level X10 signals, but will also increase the level of any transients
and noise on the line. This only applies to the X10 transmitter input
receptacle. The X10 modules I tested it with did not seem to be effected.
However, I was not able to get an Insteon module to work reliably when
plugged into the X10 transmitter receptacle.

About 3 percent of the people using the XTB have reported problems, possibly
due to noise. Two users reported problems using a SignalLinc 1132B, but
their XTBs worked fine with TW523. So, I don't recommend using the XTB with
a SignalLinc. Again, this only applies to devices plugged into the X10
transmitter input receptacle. The XTB outputs nothing to the line unless it
is actually transmitting.

Jeff

"Dave Houston" <nobody@whocares.com> wrote in message
news:4538e2b9.631236562@nntp.fuse.net...

> The XTB could exacerbate the problem for the *Lincs if it amplifies low
> level noise to the point where the *Lincs can detect it. Jeff had some
noise
> issues but I don't recall the details. It would be better to let him
address
> this point.

[Frank Olson]

Robert L Bass wrote:

> You and a few thousand others. :^)
>
>


Not to mention the twenty-five here:

http://www.bbbwestflorida.org/commonreport.html?bid=41001663

Tsk!!