A simple internet search would have been prudent:
[Link: 3phasepower.org]

Quoted from the article you mentioned...

"This two-phase system was subsequently rendered obsolete"

"two single-phase machines coupled together with their rotors carefully set relative to each other so as to achieve the required quadrature phase relationship"

If you were going to use references to things that aren't supported currently, you may have mentioned it. I hope you were prudent enough to read the article you posted. The "two phase" system was actually 2 separate single phase systems, and should go with out mention that didn't have any direct electrical connection to each other. Again sorry to the readers of this thread.

However if some feel it's relevent.... if there was some building, some where, that used this system, the Signalincs would still work. No worries about being in that situation though. It's not very likely...:)

Great article though.

edit: Now that I have thought about ELA, you're right. There was and although tough to find, is a "2 phase" system. I'm splitting hairs with my rebuttal. It was called 2 phase simple as that. Whether or not it actually is electrically, isn't the issue. What I can say is it isn't something learnt by industrial electricians (generally speaking) in this era, and would be interpreted differently if was taught.

Thanks for that response Smokinghot,

My only issue was when you stated "There is no such thing as a 2 phase system."
I just wanted it to be known that there is such a thing, although pretty much obsolete in terms of a power distribution system.

Many times people get caught up in discussions on split phase vs. 2 phase and they usually mean split phase when they say 2 phase. I was surprised when I learned years ago that there was actually a two phase distribution system.
As you say it is not really very relavent to an X10 discussion but still interesting to know.

I installed my first Insteon/X10 (switchlinc V2) this weekend to replace a defective X10 only switchlinc. The install went well. I like that it has less depth than the old switch making it easier to fit in the box if you do not have deep boxes.

The row of LED light pipes are a little brighter than I would like. I think I will order the colored light pipes and give them a try.
Of course with only one switch I am still all X10 but I do like the new switch and it heads me in the Insteon direction for the future.

ELA, another option for not having the row of led lights is to use Insteons budget "Icon" switch, it only has one light and not the bright row. The "Icon" switch is also half the cost and is still a very nice quality switch.

Keep in mind that the Icon switches do not have ramp up / down capabilities.

Thanks Rich_Guy for the Icon suggestion. I did not know they were an option. Those might be a nice option for certain applications.

For the most part I do like the longer ramps times and I use scenes also. I noted that the Icon is only rated for 300 watts. I do not like to load my switches any more than 50% when possible. Right now as I add Christmas lights I may be stretching my (50% of the 600) watt rating on the Switchlinc for a couple of switches.

One thing I do miss that I noticed was that the old Switchlincs "blinked" their status LED when they received a message. That was a nice confirmation when I pressed an RF keyfob to activate a "leaving home scene" where the lights slowly dim over 9 minutes.

I installed a boxload of Icon switches in my house, and a much smaller number of V2 dimmers. My Icons are *exactly* the same as the V2s, with the exception of the row of white LEDs. They are rated at 600 Watts (stamped on the back metal) and have adjustable ramp rates and initial on levels. I've seen the comparisons that say the ramp rates are not adjustable, and that they are only rated for 300 Watts. That has not been the case for the ones I've ordered.

Of course, this could change at any time in the future, so you may want to order a small quantity to try them out first. The V2s are very attractive, particularly with the blue light pipes, but are overpriced given that the Icons are the same without the extra lights. I like them, but I'd rather have two Icon dimmers than one V2 when doing a large quantity.

Get the ones with the green LEDs and you should be fine. They're on sale right now too, which has been great for me as I'm doing my entire house with them.

Thanks Sean "splogue" I never thought to try setting the ramp or on level on the Icon switches as I read it was not available, but yes it is :)

ELA, yes I can confirm that I was able to set the ramp and initial on level, I just tried it on my Icon switches and it does work!

This makes me even happier with my switches now as I like to slow down the ramp level a little, now for 1/2 the price the Icon really is a great deal.

Thanks guys,
That is great news. I was going off of the comparison chart at Smarthome? Pretty strange this it is incorrect but very nice to know.

Can either of you confirm whether or not the Icons will support (x10)scenes as well? If so I may just have to invest now.

I never had any X10 equipment installed, so I don't know if they will or not. My guess is yes, but hopefully someone can confirm.

I called Smarthome today to ask about these Icon switch capabilities. After telling the tech what had been reported in this thread vs. the comparison chart, he tried an Icon switch and said "Yes, it does have adjustable ramp rate." I asked asked whether the Icon switches would also have the Switchlinc's larger number of Insteon scenes, and any X-10 scenes. He had to check.

A few minutes later, he called back and said he had tried another Icon switch, and it did *not* have adjustable ramp rate. And, he had found out that the early shipments of Icon switches were more-or-less Switchlinc switches, but the present ones are not. The current Icon switches *do* match the comparison chart, and do *not* have the extra Switchlinc features. If I ordered a houseful of Icon switches now, he said I might end up with a couple of the extra-feature switches, but most would not be.

So, if you receive any extra-feature Icon switches, consider it a bonus.

Thanks PChek,

I was afraid that might be the case. My first V2 switchlink now appears to be defective after just one week.
*** turns out it is OK , just another signal strength issue - added more filtering and its OK now****


Whike on the phone I also asked about the Icon at the time I called for support on the V2 and was also told that the Icons did not have an adjustable ramp rate.

I also asked them about the fact that the old Switchlincs were known to occationally loose their programming due to power glitches. I asked if this had been improved in the newer V2 switchlincs. They said no. They also stated that they have built-in transient protection but if subjected to many transients that the switch can still loose memory and reprogramming may be required.

Typical let the customer be the beta tester SH attitude.

One of the reasons for the SignalLinc is explained in the following link
[Link: smarthome.com]

Basically every time a SwitchLinc retransmits a Insteon signal, 30% of the voltage of the command is lost. As the size of your Insteaon netowrk grows, you can lose reliability due to the voltage drop of multiple re-tranmissions.

SignalLinc solves this problem by re-transmitting the command via RF to the other SignalLinc located across the house. No voltage is dropped in the RF command and the recieving SignalLinc generates a new command. Therefore, commands sent over a long distance has more reliability.

So SignalLinc has two goals: to couple phases (if plugged into seperate phases) and to increase network reliability.

I finally finished replacing every switch in my house with Insteon this weekend. The vast majority of these switches are Icon with the older green LED, and are on sale for as long as they last at Smarthome. The newer ones have an amber LED, and are $10 more.

I ordered them as I put them in over the last several weeks, so none of these are old. All of them have the adjustable ramp rate. I know because as I installed each one, I reduced the ramp rate (I prefer a slower rate than the default). Sounds like the newer (amber?) ones have a different firmware that disables this valuable feature to encourage people to buy the more expensive V2s.

So, if you want an adjustable ramp rate, try the green ones. My guess is that all of those have the V2 firmware.