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X-10 Home Automation System
Introduction
The UK mains supply is 240 volts 50 Hz. The bungalow is fitted
with X-10 modules and the CM12U computer interface which is
controlled by the HomeSeer and X-10 Activehome software. This system
enables central and automated control over all heaters, towel rails,
lighting, appliances, the mechanical ventilation and heat recovery
system, and the irrigation system. Different programs have been set up
for each season, though each may be easily changed. The
installation consists of the following units: |
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Transceiver Units
Installed are a mixture of UK and USA RF transceiver units that can
override the CM12U. The USA RF transceiver units are significantly
cheaper that the UK units but they operate at a different RF
frequency. The USA units have been modified to operate at 240
volts. UK transmitters will only work with UK receivers.
USA transmitters will only work with US receivers. |
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CM12U Computer Interface
This is currently connected to the IBM 560X ThinkPad which is
left switched on 24 hours a day and running HomeSeer which has very sophisticated macro,
speech and e-mail capabilities.
One of the benefits of computer control is that the water and
space heating may be programmed to go off when the property is
vacant and to come
back on again the evening before return from holiday.
I used to use a CM11A pre-production prototype kindly
provided to me by X-10 Europe for some evaluation work I performed.
I have now replaced the CM11A with the UK CM12U. |
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The Maxi Controller
The appliances within Redoak are primarily programmed within
the ThinkPad 560X and downloaded into the CM12U. Installed are the
UK and USA RF transceiver units and to supplement these are four USA X-10 Maxi Controllers that I have successfully modified
for 240 volt operation. This unit can turn on and off or dim
all appliances on the 16 unit codes for each of the 16 allowable
house codes. These are useful supplementary controllers and as
they are mains operated, four are played in convenient rooms. |
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Storage Heaters
The ten storage heaters are in two groups, with each group of
five heaters separately controlled by X-10 DIN appliance modules.
The storage heaters all have individual electronic thermostats and
receive a five hour boost between 23:30 and 7:30 (Southern Electric
choice of time) and a two hour boost during the day. The day boost
will be detected by an X-10 Powerflash, and depending on the
temperature within our bungalow, the boost to either the hot water
and/or the storage heaters will be prevented by the CM12U. |
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Convector Heaters
All storage heaters in rooms have combined convector heaters and
each of these heaters is controlled by a separate X-10 Appliance
Module. A macro in the CM12U is set to switch "All Convector
Heaters Off" periodically during the day and night to avoid
inadvertent use. The presence of the day boost to the storage
heaters will be used to switch "All Convector Heaters Off"
when the signal is received, and to keep them off for two hours
after the day boost is complete. |
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Towel Rails
Electrically heated towel rails are installed in both the en-suite and
main bathroom. These towel rails are controlled by X-10 Appliance Modules
to maximise comfort while minimising cost. |
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External Lights
Outside are three external fluorescent lights which are controlled using
the "On at dusk" and "Off at dawn" feature of
the CM12U. The CM12U allows a time
offset to the dawn and dusk settings, which of course self adjust
during the year. |
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Mechanical Ventilation and Heat
Recovery
This system extracts warm moist air from the bathrooms, kitchen and
utility rooms which is used to heat fresh air drawn in from the
outside that is then blown into all the other rooms of the bungalow.
On-off times are controlled by an X-10 DIN Appliance Module at the
optimum times to minimise cost and maximise comfort. This unit
eliminates condensation and allows all the windows to be kept sealed
from autumn through to the late spring. Since the unit is situated
in the attic, it is inaudible. |
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Lighting Circuits
Currently, two X-10 DIN Appliance Modules are used to switch on and
off two separate lighting ring mains. At the moment the fluorescent
lights are not individually controlled, though this may change with
them driven by X-10 motion detectors in the future. The X-10
Appliance Modules supplement the burglar alarm system by giving the
bungalow a lived in appearance while the property is vacant by using the
security mode feature of the CM12U. |
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Irrigation System
An irrigation systems is installed that is controlled by
X-10 appliance modules. We have two exterior taps that are used to
irrigate the garden. Water to the taps goes through solenoid
operated valves that are plugged into the appliance modules. |
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External Motion Detectors
I have modified imported Stanley external motion detectors to work
from 240V instead of 120V. These have been installed outside
the bungalow to provide all round cover. These are robustly
built units that have the significant advantage of not requiring
either batteries or an adjacent USA transceiver unit. These
units have sophisticated X-10 signal generation options. |
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Internal Motion Detectors
We have two USA battery operated internal MS-12A motion
detectors outside our side and front doors (I believe this is ok, as
they are under cover). When they detect motion, they send a
signal to the USA transceiver units which in turn operate a macro in
the CM-12U to sound the Chime unit. These MS12A units only
have a short range so we need to use two transceiver units set to
the same house code and placed close to the motion detectors. |
Chime Unit
We have imported a USA X-10 Chime unit and modified it for
240V operation. This unit produces a rather pleasant chime
when it receives the appropriate X-10 house and unit code.
The Chime Unit is triggered by the motion detectors when when the
boys arrive back from school and when the postman is coming. |
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X-10 8-in-1 Remote Control
The X-10 8-in-1 Remote Control is a sophisticated remote that can be
used to control: the TV, Video recorder, Cable TV box, CD Player,
Satellite Box, Hi-fi system, other IR units and X-10 units. I
have imported one of these units from the USA and it operates
straight out from the box. We control all our units with this
remote.
It is a combined RF and IR unit, and because the USA use a different
RF frequency than we do in the UK, you will need to import a USA RF
transceiver unit and modify it for 240V operation to enable the
remote's X-10 control; we have done this. |
X-10 PowerMids
I have a PowerMid transmitter in the study and the PowerMid
receiver is in the lounge. Therefore all functions of the
satellite TV box, television, video, amplifier and CD player can be
remotely controlled from the study: for example satellite TV
channels can be remotely selected. As the PowerMids (USA
versions) get quite warm, they are controlled by appliance modules.
One PowerMid has a 240V to 115V transformer, and the other has had
it's internal 120V transformer replaced with a 240V version. |
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Christmas
Last and by no means least, at Christmas time, X-10 Lamp Modules
control the on and off times and vary the brightness of the lights
on the Christmas tree to my personal preferences. Energy can be saved here as the lights
need not be as bright when it is dark, as during the day. |
Recent and Future Developments
I have purchased a Powerflash unit, and an in-line appliance module
from Home
Automation Systems in
the USA, who produce a superb catalogue, but these devices operate
at 120 volts. I have modified the Powerflash to operate at 240 volts
and this will be used for further control over the heating.
You have probably all seen the X-10 2.4GHz cameras being advertised
on the net. Well I bought a pack of three from the US; used a
£4.99 Maplins 240V to 115V transformer, put a 470nF capacitor across
the 240V and 115V windings inside the transformer and now I have them
working off the UK mains supply. The colour quality is
surprisingly good.Recently installed are three external standard floodlights with
motion detectors, but each is connected to a Powerflash, and so now
not only do the lights come on when motion is detected at night, but
also "560X" talks and explains what is
happening!
I'm also experimenting with an X-10 burglar alarm system to
supplement what we have. Don't even
think about coming round thieving as we detect unexpected X-10
signals and these trigger an alarm!
I also want to extend the system with a telephone interface for
remote control (I now have a 115V telephone responder); a vehicle detector, and temperature sensors.
Other X-10 Related pages on this site are
Photographs of our X-10 installation
120 volt to 240 volt modification
instructions
Other useful links to X-10 sites
Want to buy X-10 Equipment, then go here |
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Page created on March 02, 1997, last
revised: November 29, 2006. |
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