Home automation - Comm4All

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What is home automation?
What is X10 and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
How does X10 work?
How many X10 addresses do exist?
What can the home automation do for me?
How much power does the X10 system consume and how do I save energy with that?
What has to be taken care of for the operation of fluorescent lamps and energy-saving lamps?
What has to be taken care of for the operation of entertainment electronics and household appliances?
What has to be taken care of at the use of intercommunication systems?
What has to be taken care of for the operation of low voltage halogen lights?
What has to be taken care of at use of a power-free switch?
Why do the modules react on commands in some electrical outlets but not in others?
Why do some receivers which are installed in a large distance to the control unit not react to control commands while others are working without problems?
Why do some modules switch themselves on and off?
Which accessories match the wall switches?
Why is the X10 system more expensive in the 230V countries than in the 110V countries?

What is home automation?
Home automation makes your life easier and more comfortably, it saves energy, it gives you more safety and confidence but it also provides fun. We are primarily of the opinion that it is what you want it to be.

For some of you it is simply the control of lights or other equipment with the same remote control used for the television set. For other it is a completely automated home, controlled by a computer system which is programmed completely to correspond to their personal lifestyle. The home automation system then controls all devices like:

Lights
Heating and air condition
Shutters, venetian blinds, curtains and awnings
Alarm and suveillance system
Entertainment electronics

Audio/video distribution for your complete home is surely also a very interesting topic. Only your imagination is the bound of what home automation can do for you.

What is X10 and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
X10 is a kind of "language" which gives you the possibility to control lights and other electrical consumers in your house. For the communication the existing power supply system is used. An expensive new wiring is not necessary.

The X10 home automation products are simply to install and - simply to remove. Therefore X10 is not only the most variable home automation system for your home, especially if you have rented it. If you should move, you simply can take your home automation along and install it in your new domicile. It is that simple. No other home automation system offers you that much comfort and flexibility. The X10 home automation is primarily conceived as a "do it yourself" system. However, you can have it installed also by an electrician for you. (This is obligatory at some products e. g. for DIN rail mount.) You have the free choice. If difficulties should appear anyway, our technical support is trained to help you at your installation. X10 is simple and only transmitters and receivers are used to control all electrical consumers.

Transmitter
The transmitter sends a signal over the existing electrical wiring to the receiver. The receiver will execute the command which it has received from the transmitter, e. g. ON, OFF, DIM, BRIGHT. There are transmitters as an infrared or radio remote control, computer interface, hardwiredly in form of your existing wall switches, telephone, voice command etc.
Receiver
Receivers execute the commands sent by transmitters and switch on/off, dim/bright electrical consumers. There are many kinds of receivers depending on what you would like to control: for the electrical outlet, for wall switches, low voltage modules, DIN-rail modules etc.

With X10 actually everything can be controlled in your home; by remote control, automatically, by pressing a button, by phone or by voice command. The meaning and purpose of the X10 home automation is the combination of all electrical consumers of your home to offer you and your family the best possible solution for energy saving, safety, comfort, luxury and with that confidence.

We do not want to hide the disadvantage the X10 system: the actual transport protocol. It is slower than newer (and substantially more expensive) bus systems and, if two commands are sent exactly at the same time, one of the commands is not executed. These possible disadvantages usually show up, however, only at bigger installations. And by a careful planning and programming they can be avoided extensively.

The X10 system was originally developed by the middle to the end of the 1970s in Scotland and today is the market leader in home automation with several millions installed systems worldwide.

How does X10 work?
X10 communicates between transmitters and receivers by sending and receiving signals over the power line wiring. These signals involve short RF bursts which represent digital information.

X10 transmissions are synchronized to the zero crossing point of the AC power line. The goal should be to transmit as close to the zero crossing point as possible, but certainly within 200 microseconds of the zero crossing point. The CM11 and XM10 provide a 50 Hz square wave with a maximum delay of 100 microseconds from the zero crossing point of the AC power line. The maximum delay between signal envelope input and 120 kHz output bursts is 50 microseconds. Therefore, it should be arranged that outputs to the CM11 and XM10 be within 50 microseconds of this 50 Hz zero crossing reference square wave.

A Binary 1 is represented by a 1 millisecond burst of 120 kHz at the zero crossing point, and a Binary 0 by the absence of 120 kHz. The CM11 and XM10 modulate their inputs (from the O.E.M.) with 120 kHz, therefore only the 1 ms "envelope" need be applied to their inputs. These 1 millisecond bursts should equally be transmitted three times to coincide with the zero crossing point of all three phases in a three phase distribution system. Figure 1 shows the timing relationship of these bursts relative to zero crossing.

A complete code transmission encompasses eleven cycles of the power line. The first two cycles represent a Start Code. The next four cycles represent the House Code and the last five cycles represent either the Number Code (1 thru 16) or a Function Code (On, Off, etc.). This complete block, (Start Code, House Code, Key Code) should always be transmitted in groups of 2 with 3 power line cycles between each group of 2 codes. Bright and dim are exceptions to this rule and should be transmitted continuously (at least twice) with no gaps between codes. See Figure 2.

Within each block of data, each four or five bit code should be transmitted in true compliment form on alternate half cycles of the power line. I.E. if a 1 millisecond burst of signal is transmitted on one half cycle (binary 1) then no signal should be transmitted on the next cycle, (binary 0). See Figure 3.

The Tables in Figure 4 show the binary codes to be transmitted for each House Code and Key Code. The Start Code is always 1110 which is a unique code and is the only code which does not follow the true complimentary relationship on alternate half cycles.

1 Hail Request is transmitted to see if there are any X-10 transmitters within listening range. This allows the O.E.M. to assign a different Housecode if a "Hail Acknowledge" is received.
2 In a Pre-Set Dim instruction, the D8 bit represents the Most Significant Bit of the level and H1, H2, H4 and H8 bits represent the Least Significant Bits.
3 The Extended Data code is followed by 8 bit bytes which can represent Analog Data (after A to D conversion). There should be no gaps between the Extended Data code and the actual data, and no gaps between data bytes. The first 8 bit byte can be used to say how many bytes of data will follow. If gaps are left between data bytes, these codes could be received by X-10 modules causing erroneous operation.
Extended Code is similar to Extended Data: 8 Bit bytes which follow Extended Code (with no gaps) can represent additional codes. This allows the designer to expand beyond the 256 codes presently available.

Note:
X-10 Receiver Modules require a "silence" of at least 3 power cycles between each pair of 11 bit code transmissions (no gaps between each pair). The one exception to this rule is bright and dim codes. These are transmitted continuously with no gaps between each 11 bit dim code or 11 bit bright code. A 3 cycle gap is necessary between different codes, i.e. between bright and dim, or 1 and dim, or on and bright, etc.

How many X10 addresses do exist?
There are 256 possible X10 addresses. These consist of the house code A to P and the unit code 1 to 16.

What can the home automation do for me?
The installation of a X10 home automation for the increase of your comfort and safety is very simple. Here only some examples:

You save energy since power absorbers only then are supplied with energy, when needed. So for example the biggest energy squanderer "stand-by" is eliminated without the loss of the comfort of remote control.
Safety for children.
Automatic control of the outer and safety lights.
Simulation of your presence while you are absent to deter burglars.
With radio remote controls all electrical consumers can be controlled inside and outside your home.
You can programme your home automation, to execute macros like "all lights on" or "morning mode" to control your home in a simple way according to your lifestyle.
RF switches make it possible to attach switches to places where no wiring is available.
Ideal for temporary installations, e.g. festivities.
The customization of houses or flats for senior citizens or handicapped persons gets simple and flexible.
Automatic control, triggered by certain events, e.g. sunrise, sunset or entering a room.
Automatic control at predefined times.

The possibilities of the X10 home automation are almost unlimited. Send us your ideas.

How much power does the X10 system consume and how do I save energy with that?
The X10 modules have normally a self-consumption of 0,1 - 2 watts. This is very little compared with the enormous energy saving potential by appropriate use/programming. Just think of the energy squanderer "stand-by" or how often one forgets to simply turn off a lamp although nobody else is in the room. Projected for a year a quite considerable amount will arise. Not to forget the big power absorbers like irons or stoves (what can be also "fire dangerous" in the sense of the word). At an appropriate programming of the system these consumers would be switched off automatically as soon as e. g. the last person has left the house or the flat. The X10 system was not developed only for your comfort but to save energy also. You will notice how fast your investment in the home automation has amortised itself.

What has to be taken care of for the operation of fluorescent lamps and energy-saving lamps?
In general you should not use fluorescent lamps and energy-saving lamps with cheap starters (at energy-saving lamps the starters are usually integrated in the bulb itself). This type of lamp causes interferences in the power line and thus perhaps destroys any X10 signalling. After our experiences the cheap starters and lamps are just the greater interferers. Also at the use of high-quality products it still can occasionally come to interferences. The use of a filter, like e. g. FM10 or FD10, should provide remedy here.

What has to be taken care of for the operation of entertainment electronics and household appliances?
You can use a great energy saving potential if you do not switch your entertainment electronics as usual by remote control in stand-by mode but cut it actual of the power line. This energy saving can also comfortably be used with the X10 system by remote control. By the use of electronic power supplies this devices can, however, cause interferences in the power line and with that destroy any X10 signalling. Satellite receivers, television sets and PCs are the greatest interferers after our experiences. If you should notice interferences, you can eliminate these by using a filter, like e. g. FM10 or FD10.

If you do not want to switch on and off this devices by home automation, you should operate it on a different phase than your home automation, if possible.

What has to be taken care of at the use of intercommunication systems?
If this device does not use its own wiring but works over the power line, you should operate it in every case on another phase as your home automation. This equipment can cause a frequency overlapping and destroy any X10 signalling with that. This also applies to babyphones if these transmit their signals through the power line and not by radio.

What has to be taken care of for the operation of low voltage halogen lights?
You can switch on and off halogen lights with every X10 receiver. Merely when dimming there are some differences: the wall switches LW10/LW11 and the receivers for DIN rail mount LD10/LD11 are generally designed for use with low voltage halogen lights. In rare cases there can be problems with electronic transformers. Since the modules LM12 and LM12W were developed only for the use with conventional lamps you can only try out. If the light begins to flicker, it cannot be used with this module.

Also notice the minimum power consumption on the type plate of the respective module: should the halogen lights have a lower power consumption than indicated on the type plate, it could destroy the transformer's fuse.

What has to be taken care of at use of a power-free switch?
By their special type of operation power-free switches prevent the reliable function of the X10 system. The use of this devices in connection with X10 products signalling through power line is not recommendable therefore.

Why do the modules react on commands in some electrical outlets but not in others?
This can appear through the in Europe usual multi-phase system if the X10 signals are not coupled between the phases. The coupling of the phases is often already available. If not, it can be provided by use of the filter/phase coupler FD10 or the phase coupler/repeater CAT3000.

We generally recommend the use of the FD10 as first element behind the electricity meter since they prevent the penetrating of X10 signals from outside and leaving the X10 signals from your own system beyond your main line.

In addition, for bigger houses and flats it has approved, to use only one or two phases as "X10 phase". On the one hand the signals could have been weakened by the longer wiring distance so a successful coupling to the next phase is impossible. This can, however, be prevented by the use of the active phase coupler/repeater CAT3000. On the other hand you have another phase left on which you can use the potential interferers like flourescent lamps, energy-saving lamps, television sets, satellite receiver, microwaves etc. provided that these shall not be controlled by the home automation.

Why do some receivers which are installed in a large distance to the control unit not react to control commands while others are working without problems?
The X10 signal will be transmitted with a signal amplitude of 5V through the power line. According to the system specification modules will reliably react to commands if the X10 signals have a minimum amplitude of 50mVs. However, there is a certain tolerance from module to module. Sometimes the signal can be weakened by a "performance hungry" inductive or capacitive consumer, too. So it absorbes the X10 signal. There are several solutions to avoid the influence of such a device on the X10 signal. The controller can be installed in a central place between the modules as far as possible from that device. Through this the X10 signals should achieve the modules with a sufficient amplitude. A further solution is installing a filter module FD10/FM10 (depending on device's connection type) between supply point and the device itself. The X10 signals then will not reach it any more and therefore are not influenced either any more.

Why do some modules switch themselves on and off?
There can be several causes for it. Sometimes a X10 system can be influenced by another nearby situated X10 system. Since the X10 signal is transferred over the power line X10 signals from outside can penetrate into your system and your own X10 signals can leave it also.

The simplest (not the best) solution is to choose another house code (A-P) than the one on whom these "ghost signals" appear. By using a computer interface like CM11, Ocelot or Leopard you can see which house codes are used in the environment and thus select a free House code. The installation of the filters/phase couplers is, however, the better and primarily safer solution since they prevent that X10 signals from outside can interfere your system and that your own X10 signals interfere other systems.

Potential interferers like flourescent lamps, energy-saving lamps, television sets, satellite receiver, microwaves etc. represent another cause. These interferences can be misinterpreted by the modules as a regular X10 command which will let them switch itself. You will find remedy for this type of problems in our FAQs in the corresponding articles.

Which accessories match the wall switches?
The wall switches like LW10, LW11, AW10 and SW10 match the series "CD500" from "Jung". The suitable colour is "alpine white".

Why is the X10 system more expensive in the 230V countries than in the 110V countries?
This question is asked again and again. There are several reasons:

All X10 products produced for the 230 volt operation are fundamentally more effortful from their technique than the 110 volt variants. For example there are modules which in the 110 volt variant only connect to the phase but not the neutral wire. This is illegal in the 230 volt countries.
The standards and safety regulations in the 230 volt countries, especially in the European states, are more effortful than in the 110 volt countries like USA and Canada. This also increases the production costs.
Many products must get newly developed or adapted effortfully for the 230 V countries, like e.g. the GigaVideo which works as a 110 volt product according to the NTSC norm and uses for the radiotransmission frequencies which are not authorized in Europe. To adapt this product for the 230 volt countries, the colour norm had to be changed from NTSC to PAL and transmitter's and receiver's frequency to an authorized one.
In Europe, the certification processes for the individual standards are considerably more expensive than in the USA. Of course these higher licensing costs must be apportioned on the individual products.
In the 230 volt countries, the market for X10 products is smaller than e. g. in the USA. Through this the purchased quantities are less and with that the purchase prices considerably higher.
The legal guarantee of 24 months for Europe also makes the products more expensive. The legal guarantee in the USA is only 3 months.