Hi Guys,
Sorry for my long initial post to the forums
We are currently doing a house renovation project and are currently installing the electrics. One of things I am interested in implementing is home automation. Having done a small amount of investigation, I have decided to use the X10 protocol due to cost and the fact that most HA shops and forums seem to support it.
I have tried to search around looking for specific issues I think I will encounter, but haven’t been able to find much information on it. Would it be possible for some expert in the area to point me in the right direction or answer my question below?
1. I wish to install an intruder and fire alarm system which probably will not natively support X10 (I have already seen the X10 versions and would still rather install my own). Is there a module which can receive a signal from the systems and ‘covert it’ to x10. The type of thing I am after is:
--When the alarm goes off, all the lights in the house come on.
--When the front door keypad is used to arm the system all the lights go out.
--When the bedroom keypad is used to arm the system all the downstairs lights go out
--When the front door keypad is used to disarm the system the lobby and hall lights turn on for 5mins.
--If the fire alarm system goes off, all the lights come on.
2. I’ve seen the modules which fit behind the light switches to control the lights. We will have a few lights being controlled from 2 or 3 switches. We also have lounge lighting which will have dimmers, but we want them switched from two places. Does the X10 modules support these situations?
3. Where ever possible, I wish to use light energy lighting. How well in general does X10 work with low energy bulbs. Are there any dimmerable versions of them?
4. I have already found a few controllers for X10 but they seem to be quite limited in memory and use. I think most use PC software connecting to these units to perform the main control functions. Is there an advanced controller available which can be fully programmed up with various macros from the PC, but doesn’t need to the PC to actually work?
5. Some of the other general functions I would like to include is motion sensors auto switching lights on for a limited time and also the lived-in look for when we are away. In practice, how reliable are these modules and controllers? Do they often go wrong?
Thanks for reading down to the bottom
Adam.
Sorry for my long initial post to the forums
We are currently doing a house renovation project and are currently installing the electrics. One of things I am interested in implementing is home automation. Having done a small amount of investigation, I have decided to use the X10 protocol due to cost and the fact that most HA shops and forums seem to support it.
I have tried to search around looking for specific issues I think I will encounter, but haven’t been able to find much information on it. Would it be possible for some expert in the area to point me in the right direction or answer my question below?
1. I wish to install an intruder and fire alarm system which probably will not natively support X10 (I have already seen the X10 versions and would still rather install my own). Is there a module which can receive a signal from the systems and ‘covert it’ to x10. The type of thing I am after is:
--When the alarm goes off, all the lights in the house come on.
--When the front door keypad is used to arm the system all the lights go out.
--When the bedroom keypad is used to arm the system all the downstairs lights go out
--When the front door keypad is used to disarm the system the lobby and hall lights turn on for 5mins.
--If the fire alarm system goes off, all the lights come on.
2. I’ve seen the modules which fit behind the light switches to control the lights. We will have a few lights being controlled from 2 or 3 switches. We also have lounge lighting which will have dimmers, but we want them switched from two places. Does the X10 modules support these situations?
3. Where ever possible, I wish to use light energy lighting. How well in general does X10 work with low energy bulbs. Are there any dimmerable versions of them?
4. I have already found a few controllers for X10 but they seem to be quite limited in memory and use. I think most use PC software connecting to these units to perform the main control functions. Is there an advanced controller available which can be fully programmed up with various macros from the PC, but doesn’t need to the PC to actually work?
5. Some of the other general functions I would like to include is motion sensors auto switching lights on for a limited time and also the lived-in look for when we are away. In practice, how reliable are these modules and controllers? Do they often go wrong?
Thanks for reading down to the bottom
Adam.
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