Help! Strange X-10 Problem

[NOSPAM@joinme.com]

A ceiling fan, consisting of a fan motor and 4 compact fluorescent
bulbs, is controlled by an X-10 system. In order not to place too
much load on the X-10 module, the module controls an external relay
which controls the ceiling fan, a system which has worked for years.
Recently, the ceiling fan would not turn off in response to the X-10
command. After much troubleshooting, I determined that if I unscrewed
a particular one of the 4 bulbs, the system would work; if I replaced
the bulb, the system would again fail to respond to the X-10 command
to turn off. The solution seemed clear: a defective bulb. Perhaps
the bulb was generating noise which interfered with the X-10 signal.

I then replaced the bulb with a new bulb, but it didn't solve the
problem! I tried interchanging two of the four bulbs, but it seems
that whenever any bulb is screwed into this particular socket, the
system malfunctions. Of course, I could just "solve" this problem by
removing the bulb and getting by with three bulbs, but I'd really like
to solve this problem.

Any suggestions?

[RickH]

On Aug 28, 9:19*am, NOS...@joinme.com wrote:
> A ceiling fan, consisting of a fan motor and 4 compact fluorescent
> bulbs, is controlled by an X-10 system. *In order not to place too
> much load on the X-10 module, the module controls an external relay
> which controls the ceiling fan, a system which has worked for years.
> Recently, the ceiling fan would not turn off in response to the X-10
> command. *After much troubleshooting, I determined that if I unscrewed
> a particular one of the 4 bulbs, the system would work; *if I replaced
> the bulb, the system would again fail to respond to the X-10 command
> to turn off. *The solution seemed clear: *a defective bulb. *Perhaps
> the bulb was generating noise which interfered with the X-10 signal.
>
> I then replaced the bulb with a new bulb, but it didn't solve the
> problem! *I tried interchanging two of the four bulbs, but it seems
> that whenever any bulb is screwed into this particular socket, the
> system malfunctions. *Of course, I could just "solve" this problem by
> removing the bulb and getting by with three bulbs, but I'd really like
> to solve this problem.
>
> Any suggestions?

The relay contacts could be sticking together at a higher load (4
bulbs). Try reducing the wattage of all 4 bulbs at once to a wattage
where all 4 equals the current three, see if it still has the same
behavior. I had an Insteon relay weld its contacts together last year
because I used eight (240 watt equivalent light output) CFL bulbs on
it, not sure what total wattage was but it burned the contacts
together to where the spring could not release them with the off
command. I has to pull the breaker to shut off those lights.

[J.J. van den Berg]

<NOSPAM@joinme.com> wrote in message
news:48b6b3a7.609068333@news.dallas.sbcglobal.net. ..
>A ceiling fan, consisting of a fan motor and 4 compact fluorescent
> bulbs, is controlled by an X-10 system. In order not to place too
> much load on the X-10 module, the module controls an external relay
> which controls the ceiling fan, a system which has worked for years.
> Recently, the ceiling fan would not turn off in response to the X-10
> command. After much troubleshooting, I determined that if I unscrewed
> a particular one of the 4 bulbs, the system would work; if I replaced
> the bulb, the system would again fail to respond to the X-10 command
> to turn off. The solution seemed clear: a defective bulb. Perhaps
> the bulb was generating noise which interfered with the X-10 signal.
>
> I then replaced the bulb with a new bulb, but it didn't solve the
> problem! I tried interchanging two of the four bulbs, but it seems
> that whenever any bulb is screwed into this particular socket, the
> system malfunctions. Of course, I could just "solve" this problem by
> removing the bulb and getting by with three bulbs, but I'd really like
> to solve this problem.
>
> Any suggestions?
>

what if you replace the particular fluorescent bulb with a regular bulb,
just for the test? Guess it works ?