What is a X10 Power Line Interface Module?
Allan Dong
I've got an alarm system which can control X10 lamp modules via a X10
Powerhouse Power Line Interface Module. Does anyone know what this is
and where I can get one?
Thanks in advance,
Allan Dong
Victoria, BC
Canada
Scott Gustafson
>I've got an alarm system which can control X10 lamp modules via a X10
>Powerhouse Power Line Interface Module. Does anyone know what this is
>and where I can get one?
If you want the two-way model it is part #TW523 or the one-way #PL513.
You need to read the alarm manual and see if it can receive the commands
as well. If it can then you need the two way. Otherwise it is probably
just transmitting something simple like ALL LIGHTS ON then it only needs
the one-way.
Check out http://www.gohts.com to get a price and ordering info.
scott
--
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"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to
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Actpccpek
>I've got an alarm system which can control X10 lamp modules via a X10
>Powerhouse Power Line Interface Module. Does anyone know what this is
>and where I can get one?
Your new alarm system may be "capable" of (but not set up to) send
commands to X-10 modules, or (if your installer added the needed hardware)
may be ready for you to begin adding X-10 receiver modules all over your
house. First, I would suggest you check with your installer to see which
you have. Some alarm panels have what appears to be "two" power supplies.
Actually, one supplies DC power to your panel and the other is the X-10
interface. Many panels use the "TW523" as the interface. A few may use
the PL513. Both are made by the X-10 company to allow other companies to
transmit the appropriate signals without having to try and figure out how
to build the circuitry themselves (which would also be a violation of the
X-10 patent). Other panels use a single "module" that does both duties.
The Ademco "Vista" series panels use a module that supplies the DC power
to the panel as well as acting as the X-10 interface.
After you figure out which you have, you can proceed to use that
capability. Now some explanation on the term "X-10". "X-10" refers to
both a company (X-10 Ltd.) and to a method of remote control where signals
are transmitted over the existing electrical wiring.
In the late '70's a company was formed in Scotland to develop IC circuits
for use in the (at that time) new field of pocket calculators. Each time
this company (Pico Engineering) took on an engineering job, they assigned
it an "Experiment" number. Experiment #1 through #8 were mostly concerned
with calculator IC's. Experiment #9 (I think) was to create an IC chip
capable of making a turntable programmable. This was done for BSR and
became the world's first programmable record changer.
Then BSR wanted one more feature for their record changers and stereo
equipment, something that was unheard of at that time: Remote Control.
The engineers at Pico assigned "Experiment #10" to this project of sending
command signals over the existing electrical wiring. "X-10" is simply the
short hand version of "Experiment #10".
Since then, the X-10 protocol has grown into the defacto standard of
sending commands over the existing electrical wiring and is used by over
35 companies. Pretty much every thing you buy that is X-10 compatible for
residential use is manufactured in the same place. X-10 Ltd has their
offices in Hong Kong and manufacturing in China. All of Radio Shack's
stuff, Leviton, Stanley etc, is all private labeled from X-10. A lot of
our (ACT) stuff is also made for us by X-10. The things that set us apart
is our repeaters, computer equipment plus all the stuff we do on higher
voltages (277/480v, 240/415v & 347/600v). For a taste of of a very basic
X-10 system, visit any Radio Shack store (I think you have them in
Victoria BC).
Here are a few US companies that offer catalogs:
Complete Home Automation, 800-766-4226
Home Automation Systems, 800-762-7846
Home Automation and Security, 800-254-5950
Home Control Concepts, 800-422-4024
HomeTech Solutions, 408-257-4406
Hybrid Technical Systems, 800-289-2001
Marrick Limited, 407-323-4467
Menage Automation, 408-980-8261
Mountain Vista Supply, 800-530-4419
Off The Shelf, 206-435-4111
SmartTech, 800-822-8182
Worthington Distribution, 800-282-8864
(The above list was cheerfully plagiarized from a post by
<bi...@thd.tv.tek.com> William K. McFadden but it may be a little
out of date by now.)
Hope this helps. -Phil K.
ACT PCC PEK -----> Phillip E. Kingery | Nothing contained herein is
| `--> Powerline Control Components | to be construed as creating
`-> Advanced Control Technologies,Inc | any liability or engineering
Opinions are based on the information | responsibility on behalf of
at hand & worth what you pay for them. | ACT. Fax# 317-337-0200 USA
October 21, 1996
12:37 pm
christoph brinkmann
Actpccpek
In article <55fbt3$q...@news00.btx.dtag.de>, 0210266...@t-online.de
(christoph brinkmann) quoted my entire post (which was very long, even by
my own standards). I glanced at it quickly but did not see where he added
anything. At first, I thought it odd that he would just quote me without
adding anything so I studied it a little more. In the middle of the post
(which BTW, I considered to be one of my better dissertations), he added
one line, only 5 words that were hidden among my own. In the section that
I wrote listing some of the USA mail order companies, he asked:
>What is about German companies?
Well, Christoph, I'm sorry to say that I am not aware of any German
companies that are distributing X-10 compatible devices. We have had a
few people in Germany ask about it in this newsgroup, so perhaps we might
get other responses from others in your area. Anyone??
In the meantime, I suggest you contact the European X-10 office in Paris.
X-10 Europe
3 Rue de Penthievre
F-75008 Paris France
Phone: 33 1 533-08070
Fax: 33 1 533-08075
Good luck, -Phil K, Indy, USA
ACT PCC PEK -----> Phillip E. Kingery | Nothing contained herein is
| `--> Powerline Control Components | to be construed as creating
`-> Advanced Control Technologies,Inc | any liability or engineering
Opinions are based on the information | responsibility on behalf of
at hand & worth what you pay for them. | ACT. Fax# 317-337-0200 USA
November 5, 1996
10:55 am
Raul Ojasaar
Actpccpek wrote:
>
> In article <55fbt3$q...@news00.btx.dtag.de>, 0210266...@t-online.de
> (christoph brinkmann) quoted my entire post (which was very long, even by
> my own standards). I glanced at it quickly but did not see where he added
> anything. At first, I thought it odd that he would just quote me without
> adding anything so I studied it a little more. In the middle of the post
> (which BTW, I considered to be one of my better dissertations), he added
> one line, only 5 words that were hidden among my own. In the section that
> I wrote listing some of the USA mail order companies, he asked:
>
>
> companies that are distributing X-10 compatible devices. We have had a
> few people in Germany ask about it in this newsgroup, so perhaps we might
> get other responses from others in your area. Anyone??
>
Some places what I know:
in Germany - Busch Jaeger
in Holland - Martek Electronics, Wizz
in UK - Laser Business System Ltd.
Raul ra...@ml.ee
msalta...@gmail.com
AC. AC. SYNC OUTPUT SIGNAL COMMON X10 DATA. ????
Pat
wrote:
>I hav this not plugged in i guess it's a old one. Just wondering if i can use it. It has 6 spaces on bottom
>AC. AC. SYNC OUTPUT SIGNAL COMMON X10 DATA. ????
line to control X-10 modules. If you are using X-10 home control
products and need a way for your computer to send X-10 commands, it is
might be just what you need. Note that you need software to format
the data into the power line interface module. It is old and was made
long before there were USB devices to do the same thing in a much
simpler way. Depending on its age, the interface might be serial,
some proprietary interface, or require a special cable that attaches
to an old parallel port.
Bob F
2 way - capable of sending and receiving X10 signals. I have the TW523
on my home control system, so I can generate commands using X10
transmitter keypads. and the control processor can output X10 commands
to various devices.
Andrew Gabriel
interface module, for interfacing microcontrollers to X10, not PC's.
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]