I'm looking to add a few X-10 products to my system, and was wondering if anyone could point me out to model numbers and/or sites with what I need:

* X-10 "Decora" rocker wall switch; on/off only, no dimming (as it controls receptacles).
* X-10 "Decora" rocker wall dimmer switch. Too bad they don't make an X-10/touch-panel version!
* IR to X-10 receiver/transmitter. I have no idea what models are available, but I want small! No buttons necessary; prefer wall mount/plug-in rather than console unit.

Thanks for any pointers! :-)

I suggest that you and anyone interested in X-10 devices get a catalog from Home Automation Systems (www.smarthome.com -- 800/762-7846) and also from Home Controls (www.homecontrols.com -- 800/266-8765) -- there is a lot of overlap in the products that each carries but each firm has a few things the other one does not have.

On pages 22/23 of the HAS catalog there is an excellant comparsion of the various wall switches available.

The the wall recptacles and the appliance modules and the switches for appliances (off/on only) all must contain a mechanical relay as all three make a loud click which some people may find objectionable.

AS to wall dimmer switches, they run in price from $20 to $150 and there is a big difference.

The cheaper ones do not have true rocker action - you press the bottom of the switch for both on and off which my bother you when your standard switches work in the conventional manner.

I think the best switch for the bucks is the SwitchLinc which is $89.95 (page 20 of the HAS catalog) - seems pretty pricey for a switch and it sure adds up if you need very many, but in addition to the true rocker action, it also has fade on/off, preset dim, and a few other features.

The cheapest switches are made by X-10 (www.x10.com) - they are $20.00 but sometimes you can buy 3 for the price of 2 -- btw, X10, at their web site, is always having a sale which is ending soon - well, they either extend the sale a few times or have a new one all the time.

And, as to a X-10 touch screen, see page 27 of the HAS catalog - btw, I have catalog #39 but I was told today that catalog #40 is out so your pages may vary a bit.

And a word about what X-10 is - it is both a protocol for sending digital info over power lines which was developed in England in the late 70's and the name of a company which makes most of the low end devices -- as far as I can tell, most items like the modules that plug into an outlet are made by X-10 (in China) and sold under a number of brand names with some cosmetic diffrences to the plastic case.

There is a lot I don't know about this stuff but I have had some experience and if I can help more I will be happy to.

Thank you for a very valuable web site.

Regards, Jim.

Well, I found two Leviton switches that seem to meet my needs - model 16293WI for a wall switch with ultra-quiet relay, and model 6343WI for a dimmer switch with soft on/fade off. Both feature true rocker action (top ON, bottom OFF) which is something I want. :-) Since the rest of the switches in the house are Leviton it makes sense to continue with them.

I still haven't found an IR to X-10 converter I really like. Is the IR543 console unit the only one? Period?

As far as I know the IR543 command console is the only IR to X10 device available. Its fairly small though. Its around 1" x 5" x 4"(HxWxD).

Daniel. The IR543 is the only IR transceiver that is available. The only part that needs to be visible is the front IR sensor window. Some people place the transceiver behind something so that only the window is visible. You can stand it up vertically if you want.

The Leviton 16293 is a good choice if your light does not require dimming. This switch is designed for fluorescent bulbs or other light fixtures that cannot be dimmed. This switch requires a neutral wire be present in your switch box.

The Leviton 6343 is a good choice if you need to control incandescent lights up to 1000 watts. There is a less expensive version available if you only need to control up to 600 watts (other features are the same). The problem with buying a switch to control more watts than you need is that the physical size of the switch is bigger and sometimes hard to fit into a switch box with more than 1 switch. This is due to heat sink requirements with greater wattages. A neutral wire is not required for this switch.

There is another switch you might consider instead of Leviton. It is made by PCS and offers a feature that Leviton doesn't. It allows you to program the duration of the "soft start" feature. The Leviton switch is pre-programmed for 2 seconds. The PCS switch can be programmed for different durations (e.g. 12 seconds) and this effect is sometimes nice for home theater applications. A neutral wire is required for this switch.

I have used all of these switches in home automation jobs and am very familiar with them. If you have any questions please drop me an e-mail or visit our web site for other contact information.

By the way, this is a great web site that I consider a valuable resource for my Pronto.

Robert
RCI Automation
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

Robert:

Thanks. Standing it up vertically clicked something in my head - I've got a bookcase right next to the plug I want it by, I could have the IR543 mimic a book. :-)

I chose the Leviton 16293 because it will be controlling several table lamps around the room plugged into outlets - and electrical code in Canada state you cannot have a dimmer controlling a receptacle in the chance that you plug an appliance in (which would mean bad things!).

I just checked, I'll only need to dim 300w worth of lights, so the smaller version will do. I wasn't aware of it (Leviton's web site is a bit sketchy on receivers) - do you have a part number?

Hmm, what about the SwitchLinc 2380 dimmer (as on smarthome.com)? And why don't smarthome.com's part numbers match up with anything? :-)

Daniel:

The Leviton 600 watt model number is 16383. We offer this swtich for $79.95. We also offer the PCS version of this switch (also 600 watt) for $89.85 (the one with the programmable soft start duration).

The SwitchLinc by SmartLinc is a brand new switch. The company is now filling back orders that have been standing for over a year. Even though the switch has made it through beta testing after some bug fixes, it does not have the track record that Leviton and PCS have. Unless you really need the SmartLinc feature where the switch sends an X-10 command when turned on at the switch, I recommend (for now) that customers purchase either the Leviton or PCS switches which have proven to be reliable.

About SmartHome's part numbers. They replace the actual model numbers with their own part numbers to discourage price shopping (IMO).

Robert
RCI Automation
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

Robert
Is there any features that you can take advantage of with your Pronto and a IR converter that would make you want to buy the smartlinc switch over the the Leviton switch?

No. The only feature on the Smartlinc switch that doesn't exist on the Leviton or PCS equivalent switches is that the Smartlinc switch will SEND and X-10 signal when it is turned on locally. This may be convenient if you have a home automation controller tracking the state of the switch for a specific application.

Robert
RCI Automation

Robert
Is there a slave switch that goes with the Leviton 16383? I also would like to know how to order from you. I would like a quote on Leviton 16383 and it's slave and a IR543, do you stock all of these items?

Joe

Daniel:

One thing that I have found, having used the Leviton's now for approx 4 months -- their implementation of preset dim does not follow a de-facto industry standard (as set by PCS). So, if my home controller (SmartLinc HouseLinc) sends a command to the Levitons telling them to go to, say, 40% of full bright, they do not see this command. Both SmartLinc, PCS and others follow a standard that PCS implemented some time ago. For whatever reason, Leviton chose an incompatible approach, and I am not aware of any X10 home controllers that support Leviton on this. Other than this short-coming, the switches work well, and are reasonably resistant to noise. However, if you are seeking to control these switches through an IR543, you may have to put a repeat on some of the commands, depending on the cleanliness of your house power -- even though the Levitons are resistant.

Joe:

Yes, the Leviton 16383 has a matching "true rocker" slave switch for 3-way installations.

Robert
RCI Automation

Barry:

The JDS Stargate home automation controller supports the Leviton preset dim function as well as the Leviton scene functions. When you define an X-10 device in Stargate, you specify which type of switch it is.

It's true that Leviton uses a different protocol for the preset dim, but unless you are using a home automation controller this doesn't matter. In other words, hand held transmitters (e.g. Pronto) are not capable of sending preset dim commands without the help of a home automation controller to "translate" the Pronto IR commands to preset dim commands.

Regarding noise on the AC power line that may affect X-10 signal communication. I think that both the PCS and the Leviton switch are pretty similar in performance. The PCS switch does allow you to program the minimum X-10 signal strength necessary for it to respond (which is an advantage), but the Leviton switch has "gated AGC" which improves its performance in noisy conditions.

If customers plan to invest money in home automation equipment, they usually expect good performance. That is why I always recommend the installation of an amplified signal bridge (i.e. phase coupler). The amplified coupler bridges 2 or 3 phases of electrical service in your home, and in addition, amplifies all X-10 signals it receives. It actually amplifies a 100mV X-10 signal to 5 to 7 volts on the other electrical phases. This is a 5,000 to 7,000 percent increase in signal strength. Most customers find that when an amplified coupler is installed, it overcomes noise problems and they get very reliable X-10 communication.

Robert
RCI Automation
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

I'll admit - I'm new to X10. For the past 6 years I've had some generic Radio Shack/Stanley X-10 stuff that works fine for what I need it for. However last winter I added better pot lighting to my theater room since the table lamps glare on the screen.

Since this is a basement, I was limited on where to put the switch - so it went in a fairly awkward position where I have to walk around everything to another part of the room - plus manually turn off the table lamps.

Silly me, I never thought of X10 until last week. :-)

Daniel

For future X10 purchases check out Worthington
www.worthdist.com I use them all the time,real good pricing & great to deal with.
Thanks for your site,what a great resource!

Dylan