I have recently started playing around with X10 again after abandoning a previous attempt with it a few years ago due to reliability problems.
I am now only using low energy bulbs in my house. I have read of problems with some of the older X10 modules (non dimming types) and low energy bulbs. It seems that when these modules are switched off they still pass a voltage, which the low energy bulbs don’t like.
I have a number of different modules including Plug in, DIN rail, AM12W and a couple of the Chinese so-called X10-2 micro modules. I have 2 AM12W’s setup, one is switching 2 x 7W low energy bulbs and seems to work fine, the other is switching 2 x 11W low energy bulbs and when in the off position the bulbs are flickering away nicely. After testing the offending AM12W with a multimeter, in the off position there is about 125 volts between the neutral and switched live which is probably why the bulbs are flickering. I also have 2 of the Chinese X10-2 micro modules installed within 42W smart flood enclosures and they work fine. When testing with the multimeter, they only read about 0.2 volts between neutral and switched live when off.
This activity has prompted me to ask the following questions of the more knowledgeable here.
1. Why do some modules have this characteristic? Do the relay terminals not open far enough?
2. Which modules ( in line type) have you found the best with low energy bulbs?
Regards Sooty.
I am now only using low energy bulbs in my house. I have read of problems with some of the older X10 modules (non dimming types) and low energy bulbs. It seems that when these modules are switched off they still pass a voltage, which the low energy bulbs don’t like.
I have a number of different modules including Plug in, DIN rail, AM12W and a couple of the Chinese so-called X10-2 micro modules. I have 2 AM12W’s setup, one is switching 2 x 7W low energy bulbs and seems to work fine, the other is switching 2 x 11W low energy bulbs and when in the off position the bulbs are flickering away nicely. After testing the offending AM12W with a multimeter, in the off position there is about 125 volts between the neutral and switched live which is probably why the bulbs are flickering. I also have 2 of the Chinese X10-2 micro modules installed within 42W smart flood enclosures and they work fine. When testing with the multimeter, they only read about 0.2 volts between neutral and switched live when off.
This activity has prompted me to ask the following questions of the more knowledgeable here.
1. Why do some modules have this characteristic? Do the relay terminals not open far enough?
2. Which modules ( in line type) have you found the best with low energy bulbs?
Regards Sooty.
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