| Modifying 115V X-10 modules to
work at 240V
Introduction
The majority of X-10 units are available only for the USA market where the
mains supply is 115 volts at 60 Hz but the UK mains supply is 240 volts 50
Hz. It is however possible to modify some of the USA modules
to operate at 240 volts. Most of the pages on
this site provide details of modifications actually performed by the
author from parts bought
from Smarthome.com
who will ship world-wide (check out the clearance offers too!.
This information is provided for information only
and is not guaranteed to be correct, and I urge you not to attempt these
modifications unless you are technically competent. I accept
absolutely no responsibility for any modifications you perform or the
effects of any such modifications.
Performing these modifications will invalidate
your warranty and could render the modules in a dangerous condition and
without CE approval. Finally make sure all installed modules have
appropriate fuses and cable to reduce the likelihood of fire.
The most complete details of 115 volt to 240 volt modifications were on
Hans Attersjö's home page but this has now closed. I have taken
Hans's work and loaded it onto my server together with corrections
identified by readers of these pages and myself; I have also included my own modification
instructions. The circuit diagrams are courtesy of Steve Bloom. If
you have come to this page having read my articles in Computer Shopper,
please be sure to read the additions
and corrections page here before attempting any work.
Modification Instruction Table
Circuit Diagrams
Modifications successfully performed
Using the instructions above, I have successfully modified the
following units for 240V operation:
PF 284 Powerflash
RR501 Transceiver unit
SC503 Maxi Controller
SC546 Chime module
TM751 Transceiver unit
360-3158 Stanley Motion Detector
X-10 External Motion Detector
Sources of Components
Generally the parts can be sourced from Maplins.
The 1uF 400V DC capacitor can be sourced from RS Components, part
number 116-672. This is really a 200V AC capacitor and you
should really use the 250V component, but for some modules the 250V
component will not fit.
Your turn now
Is there anything else you would like put up here? If so, please
send me an e-mail.
Also, do have a look in the Feb 2000, May 2000 and May 2001 editions of
Computer Shopper where you will see my articles on home automation.
|
Redoak
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