X10 Signal Transmission using XM10E and XM10U

[admin]

We have made a comparison of the X10 signal strength when Comfort is used to transmit X10 signals through an XM10E and XM10U compared to a computer running Activehome connected to a CM12U X10 PC interface

The transmitters were placed in the same power point mains location while a marmitek PRU 256 Programmer and Logger was connected at various locations around the office to measure the received X10 signal strength

We found that the received signal from the XM10U and XM10E are about 20 to 40% weaker than that from the CM12U on average. This means that the performance of these X10 modules XM10E and XM10U may not as good as the CM12U, although we have tested only 1 item of each type.

Comfort sends digital signals to the XM10E and X1010U, and these devices are responsible for generating the X10 signals to the power line, so Comfort is not responsible for that signal strength.

Please take care when using Comfort to X10 communications You may need to use X10 boosters and filters.

[bryanajones]

what X10 interfaces can be connected to Comfort II?

Can multiple X10 modules be fitted in one system (i.e. one in the main panel and one in a slave panel)?

The repeater, do you have a part number / model number for this? How does it work (is it a dumb module that you just plug in and it repeats)?

[slychiu]

The XM10E and TW7223 can be connected to Comfort via a crossed telephone cable with the other end plugged into the wall socket
 For repeaters,  couplers and filters and filters see the pager at laser.com
http://www.laser.com/?page=shop/browse&category_id=d189e594162cb609b6593eb0d10ab892&

The X10 connector at the slave panel also works- it sends the same signal as the one on Comfort. It will also receive X10 signals
It is best to use this for a separate phase or different building to avoid any clashes.

[bryanajones]

Thanks for that Chiu. I knew about the TW7223 and XM10E but just wondered as time has moved on where there any new options.

Is it possible for X10 signals to clash? If two devices send the same signal would they cause each other issues?

[slychiu]

If two signals are sent exactly at the same time it would be like a single signal but due to delays in the power cables there may be interference
I suggest you  try this and watch for problems

[srooks]

I\'d like to know if you think comfort could use this X.10 interface? http://jvde.us/xtb/XTB-232_description.htm

The XTB-232 appears to be compatible with CM11A running at 4800 baud

Thanks,

Steve

[slychiu]

If it is compatible with the X10 TW523/TW7223 then it should work with Comfort

Let us know the result if you  try it

Are you having problems with the TW7723  with Comfort

[srooks]

Yes, I\'m having problems .. in that Comfort\'s control of the X.10 dimmers has become intermittent. I suspect something in the house is interfering with the signal.
What\'s weird is that this started happening after I upgraded the KT03 touch screen. I can see Comfort\'s X.10 transmitter appears always to be working (red led flashes on X.10 commands). I need to spend some time diagnosing (I.e. switch everything off in the house)
What looks of more interest is the http://jvde.us/xtb/XTB-IIR_description.htm which will boost the output from the XM10E.

[Swiss-Toni]

I have found in the past I have had problems with X10 signals and bought a repeater to boost signals ect.
Although I am now reducing the number of X10 modules on my system (not overly keen on X0 although it has its uses)I found that if the XM10E is fitted directly on its own radial circuit (shortest possible cable length) with no other elements on that circuit it had the effect of being very effective and all the x10 modules work well, since I have done this I have had no problems with X10. I suspect most people are just plugging the module into existing circuits which is affected by other equipment that effects the signals it transmits

[admin]

Also My feeling with XM10E is that the transmission strength may be a bit weak compared to other transmitters