Daniel,

All dimming X10 switches have a basic address lets say "A1" you can send on, off, bright and dim and they will respond.

A scene switch (PCS, Switchlinc 2380/2386) has a basic address but also has between 16 and 64 scene addresses. These scene addresses can be shared between all scene switches. So lets say you have 3 switches with basic address's A1, A2 and A3. With these addresses you could control them, but you can then set a all three with scene address let say A5 which when sent will cause all of them to respond simultaneously and go to a set intensity over a set time (ramp rate). All the switches can have the same scene address but can have independent ramp rates and intensities. This allows you to paste A5 on a macr like DVD play and have all the lighting set. You can then do a scene for pause, in my house pause turns on the bathroom and kitchen lights because that’s where I would be headed.

The IR543 can send out 16 unit codes for one house code. You select the house code via a dial on top of the unit. It works with all X10 capable remotes. The IR543AH has the ability to set the house code via IR from PC programmable remotes, or a remote that can be taught by a PC programmable one. This allows control of 256 X10 addresses instead of 16. The AH is nice but usually more than most folks need, especially if you are doing scenes, it does offer a lot of expansion so is popular.

Finally inductive loads are loads that have a motor. It is best not to dim motors, for speed control, it causes problems. It does sometimes work but only about 50% of the time. When it does not work the fan will hum. If you want reliable control use an appliance switch like the ACT RS115 or XPS3. If you want to try dimming the fan you can use a PCS switch that can be set for on/off appliance operation if you have the hum problem.

Hope this helps

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com