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Readers of my previous articles may recall my search for a solution to the hall / landing lighting problem for which my favourite X10 module, the LW10U X10 Wallswitch is sadly unsuitable because of the dual switching required. My solution was to use PLM02 / SL575 Screw-in lamp modules, a TM12 RF Receiver and SS13E RF stick-on switches. This setup has worked admirably for some time now, but recently I sought to expand it as the RF switches are a bit tricky to use when one is half asleep and making certain unspecified nocturnal excursions. What was needed was a method of getting the lights to turn on and off automatically, leaving me free to concentrate on the task in hand without having to surface too much from my soporific state...

As a brief overview, I had the requirement to send an X10 single when someone entered my garden. Initially I attempted to use the MS13H "Hawkeye" X10 PIR, but found that due the amount of foliage (well, weeds!), and the amount of wind we get in our garden, the Hawkeye proved to be unreliable when it was placed in a position to monitor the garden path...

The Marmitek AWM2 micro-module is the first to market of the new breed of modules supporting ACT's A10 (Advanced X10) protocol. The AWM2 is simply a 16A appliance module, but it has two switch inputs: the first controls the built-in appliance module, and the second is transmitted as X10 on the mains wiring. A10 adds an advanced addressing mode, but otherwise is identical to X10. ACT's OEM A10 modules add significant extra functionality though, addressing some of the irritating shortfalls of X10, which after all is a 30 year old technology. A10 modules have been hotly anticipated for some time, and the AWM2 has an impressive list of drool-worthy characteristics.

The Mini Controller (MC460) allows up to 8 individual or groups of modules to be controlled...

The X10 Maxi Controller (SC503) can control all 16 unit addresses on any one house code with individual buttons. The unit has buttons for ON, OFF, DIM, BRIGHT, ALL-LIGHTS-ON, ALL-UNIT-OFF...