Controlling Your Gadgets Remotely with X10

A technology called X10 allows you to control any device in your home using your existing electrical system. With X10 you can turn on the lawn sprinkler or the sauna, dim the lights, and change the TV channel, all with the same handheld remote control. You can also program X10 devices to act automatically. For example, you can set the central vacuum system to automatically turn off when the doorbell or the phone rings. Some X10 controllers have an "all lights on or off" feature. Many X10 devices can be programmed using computer software.

You may encounter a few X10 technology limitations:

• Poor signal reliability: You may find that commands are successfully transmitted only about 90 percent of the time, depending on where you are in your home.

• Time delays: You may encounter a half-second delay between pushing the On button and seeing the light come on.

• Cross talk with neighbors: With only 256 X10 addresses available, your neighbor's X10 may inadvertently control your lights.

• Line noise: Electrical line noise may degrade X10 signal strength. Amplifiers and line couplers are available to help address this problem.

• No feedback: When you operate an X10 device remotely and out of sight or hearing, you don't get any feedback that lets you know whether your command was successfully received. There are now some controllers on the market that have feedback features.

Selecting X10 devices

You may use X10–controlled relays, switches, receptacles, dimmers, or plug-in modules to actually provide control. Once the controlling devices are wired or plugged in, you just have to choose how to control them. You need two basic components:

• Transmitter: The transmitter sends your control input to the receiver. It can be wired, or it can use IR or RF signals to transmit commands to a plugged-in receiver/transmitter.

• Receiver: The receiver is connected to your electrical system. It receives control signals from the X10 transmitter and initiates some action. This could be turning on or off a load or dimming a light, for example.

Figure 1 shows an inexpensive handheld X10 RF remote and receiver/transmitter (transceiver). The transceiver is shown straight on and from the back. The key-chain RF transmitter can be set to control two X10 addresses. This unit receives an RF signal and transmits an X10 signal. The right-side view shows the plug-in and the unit's receptacle. This RF handheld remote sends on or off signals to the X10 transceiver. The transceiver plugs into an outlet and sends an X10 signal over the house wiring to control anything you have set to its address. It also turns on or off its own built-in receptacle.

Figure 2 shows several assorted X10 devices, each of which is numbered. These devices each have some unique features:

• Device 1: This transmitter just plugs into a standard receptacle. The transmitter has 16 buttons and 16 letter positions, allowing control of 256 X10 addresses.

• Device 2: These three-way switches can replace a standard single-pole or three-way switch. Once you install a switch, just set the switch and a transmitter to one of the 256 available addresses.

• Device 3: This fixture module is designed to mount in a box. This module has dimming capabilities.

• Device 4: This appliance module plugs into a receptacle, and then you plug an appliance or lamp into the module. Set the address code on the front of the module and control it with any X10 transmitter set to the same code.

• Device 5: An X10 signal controls relay operation for this plug-in relay module. For garage door opening and closing on commercial garage doors that have separate buttons for up and down, the installation requires two relays. Relays can also be set for momentary operation. In the momentary operation mode, the relay closes when it receives an on signal and then immediately turns off. This mimics a person pushing a doorbell or a garage door opener, and then releasing it.

Controlling X10 away from home

Once you have X10 controls in place, you can add a phone interface to control any X10 device from any touchtone phone, including cordless and cell phones.

One such interface is called TeleMaster. This unit simply plugs in to an existing phone jack and a 120V outlet. With this TeleMaster interface, you can call home as you return from vacation or work. Press a couple of phone buttons on the phone to turn on the air conditioner and warm the hot tub. Access to the TeleMaster is restricted by a four-digit security code. Normal phone calling to and from your home is unchanged. You can set up this interface so that when the phone rings, lamps in your home flash on and off, thereby giving a visual indication to someone with a hearing impairment.