X10 Basics

 X-10 is a very safe and inexpensive control device that allows us to control appliances, lights, fans, radios and with extra equipment, TVs telephones, VCRs DVDs, etc. over existing power (wiring) lines in house.

Advantages of using an X-10 system over an expensive off the shelf ready to use unit is that it is inexpensive, uses existing home wiring, works with existing home environmental control units, and it is safely and easily adapted.

Disadvantages are that it requires a separate controller for each unit and can cause interference with nearby X-10 systems with similar settings. Each appliance is only electronically "unplugged or re-plugged" to turn the device "on" or "off" with this system. For example, a ceiling fan can be turned on and off, but the speed of the fan cannot be adjusted with a simple X-10 device.

Who might use an X-10 system?

Anyone who has a need to turn these devices on and off from a single location. This may be someone who is confined to a bed or those who have fine motor problems, poor eyesight, ambulation difficulties, etc. X-10 Systems can also be used for fall prevention, adaptation of nurse call lights, an incontinence alarm, a wandering away alarm, etc.

X10 uses house code letters (A-P) and numbers (1-16) to differentiate from other systems. This way two or more systems can exist on the same rehab unit or home without interfering with each other. The simplest system will consist of one transmitter module and one transceiver which is where the appliance is plugged in. There are several different types of control modules that are used for various devices.

Modules

Each appliance needs to be controlled by a separate device (a module). Two or more modules including a transmitter and receiver module can make up a X10 system (can be many modules in the same system)

House codes and unit number

To discriminate between different X10 modules and between different X10 systems X10 uses house codes and unit numbers to tell the modules an entire systems apart. This way two separate systems can exist on the same rehab unit or same apartment complex without interference from each other.

House codes A,B,C

• To eliminate interference with nearby systems (up to a quarter mile away ) the X10 systems uses "house codes" to discriminate between two nearby systems
• House codes are adjustable settings between the letters A - P (16 choices) that each X10 system can be set to, so as to not to interfere with other X10 systems.
• Some units do not have a dial that can be clicked to a house code letter. These units must be set up by pressing a sequence of buttons.
• For example, the infrared X10 switches must have their program switch held for three seconds and then enter additional "3" pushes on the same switch for the letter C.

Unit numbers

• Within the same X10 system (all modules set to the same house code) utilize "unit numbers" to discriminate one module from another.
• Unit numbers are selected between 1 and 16
• If several modules are set to the same unit number, they will all respond at the same time.
• Some modules do not have a unit number as they are" hardwired" or permanently set on unit number 1
• All of the small transceivers ( the units with the antenna) are always set to unit number 1
• The larger transceivers can only be set to unit number 1 or 9.
• Transmitting the X10 signals.
• Many different types of transmitters are available to send a signal to control the modules.
• These transmitters can be physical or virtual (on the computer screen)
• Devices can be plugged in the bottom of transceiver.