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How do I solve the most common X10 problems?
There is a common problem that you may encounter in setting up your home with X10 modules. This happens mostly in larger homes, say larger than 2000 square feet (185 square meters). The symptoms are that some receiver modules may not work when commanded from some transmitters, or they may only work sporadically. This could be caused by too much isolation between the two sides of the power line (assuming North American wiring standards); a transmitter on one side will not transmit reliably to a receiver on the other side.
Try your X10 system with and without your electric stove turned on; turning the stove on may bridge both sides of the power line, but is not the recommended permanent solution. A better way would be to install a signal bridge, which is available as a commercial product.
An alternative solution is to install a 0.1 microfarad capacitor (240 VAC or 600 VDC) across the 220 volt line "hot-to-hot." A qualified electrician can do this across any 220 volt double pole breaker. This will bridge the signal from one side to the other. This could also be because the distance from the transmitter to the receiver is too great and the signals are too weak to activate the receiver. If moving the transmitter does not work or is not feasible, the solution may be to install a signal amplifier. This is available as a commercial product.
Noise blocks or noise filters may solve other more obscure problems (false ON/OFF signals, for example), often caused by TVs or wireless intercoms. Locate interference sources by unplugging them one at a time. See details on commercially available noise blocks and filters in Section 2 below if moving the transmitter away from interference sources does not work or is not feasible.
If a WALL OUTLET 220V, 15A (X10:HD243) or WALL OUTLET 220V, 20A (X10:HD245) doesn't seem to work in an apartment or office building, that may be because the building has a three phase power system and the X10 outlets are designed to work on a single (split) phase system such as found in a home. There is no solution to this.
The X10 protocol apparently sends signals at the zero crossing of the AC line voltage and then at 60 degrees and at 120 degrees after that (in other words, three times every half cycle corresponding to the zero crossing of the other two phases). This is designed to make X10 compatible with three phase power situations. Some power strips that have filters in them to protect electronic equipment effectively filter out X10 signals. Also appliances such as televisions or other audio/visual equipment may have a capacitor across the AC line to filter out high frequency noise. X10 signals appear as high frequency noise to these capacitors and are thus attenuated. Cheaper power strips that protect against voltage spikes only do not affect X10 signals. Try moving X10 transmitters or receivers from power strips to a standard outlet if they don't seem to be working.
Another common problem with X10 devices is not reading the documentation that comes with them. People still insist on trying to use dimmer switches or lamp modules on electric fans or fluorescent lights (symptom can be fire), or trying to control low wattage lamps (symptom may be unreliable operation for less than 50W for some modules).
How do I send and receive X10 signals with my computer?
The Active Home Kit works with your computer to transform your home into a network of controls allowing lights, appliances and security systems to do what you want when you want. It only takes 15 minutes to setup and is certain to make you the talk of the neighborhood. Your friends will be green with envy when they see how you can make your home looked lived-in while you're away, create a romantic mood after a night on the town, even automate a morning or evening routine.
Active Home communicates through your existing power lines (AC wiring) to control things in every room of your home. Once you tell the software what to do you can turn off your PC. All of the information is stored in the computer interface, which allows control from any outlet in the home even when your PC is turned off.
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