Instructions / Assembly
The best way to determine the offending device is to isolate the circuits one at a time. Start by
turning off all the circuit breakers except one circuit for testing. Attach a transmitter and an
appliance module (both known good units). Attach a radio to the appliance module and turn it
up. If you are sending signals from one room to another on the same circuit, you will be able to
hear the radio turn on and off. By using an extension cord for the transmitter, you can stand at
the circuit breaker box and easily send the ON and OFF signals. Most likely, with only one cir-
cuit active, the initial testing will be successful. Continue testing by turning on a second circuit
breaker and send some test signals to the appliance module, do you still hear the radio turn-
ing on and off? Continue to turn on circuit breakers one at a time. Each time a new breaker is
switched on, send some ON and OFF signals to the test module.
There will come a time when a circuit is turned on that the test fails. At this point, you have
identified the circuit that is causing the problem. Turn off all the circuit breakers except that
last one that caused the signals to fail. Plug your transmitter and appliance module into that
circuit. Then, begin to unplug electrical devices on that circuit one at a time. Don't just turn off
each device; unplug them! Each time a device is unplugged, do a signal test to the appliance
module. Again, there will come a time when something you unplugged makes the signal test
work. The last device that was unplugged is the one that is killing off X10 signals. To fix the
problem, install a filter between the electrical outlet and the offending device.
Another approach to find these noise emitters is to use a portable AM radio. Start outside your
home and away from the interference. Turn the radio on, adjust the frequency dial to the low-
est setting, 550 KHz, or lower, and adjust the volume level. Now move inside the home and
use the radio the same way someone looking for radiation would use a Geiger counter. As the
radio moves near the interference, an increase in noise will be noticed. The louder the noise,
the stronger the signal, and the closer you are getting. Once you find a location with a strong
signal, begin unplugging electrical cords. For example, if the noise is loudest in the kitchen,
unplug the refrigerator, turn off all the lighting, and unplug the coffee pot. You'll soon find
something that is causing the noise. Put a FilterLinc noise filter on that device.
Signal Attenuation
FilterLinc will also dramatically lessen the effect of non-X10 products on the signal. When a
signal is transmitted it goes everywhere in the home. PLC/X10 signals are like water pressure
in pipes, it actually goes everywhere it can, not just to the receiving module. Some electrical
devices will have more of an effect on the signal strength than other devices.
In the last 20 years, an explosion of electrical devices has invaded our homes. Computers,
video gear, and other high-end electronics are more present than in years past. Some of these
products contain complicated electrical power supplies that are designed to provide clean elec-
tricity to the devices they serve. Engineers design power supplies build in traps to filter out and
kill electrical noise on the AC line. Unfortunately, the PLC/X10 signal looks like electrical noise
to these devices. The result is that a large percent of the transmitted signal is lost, which
leaves less for the receivers. The most common sources of signal loss are:
• Televisions, stereo components, satellite and cable receivers
• Computer systems, monitors, printers
• Computer UPS's
• Power strips
• Power supplies for laptops and cell phones
Testing for the problem is pretty simple. If a device is suspected of causing signal absorption,
unplug the device and then re-transmit the signal. It is very important that the device is
unplugged and not just turned off! If the PLC/X10 controlled product begins working after the
appliance is unplugged, then a filter will be needed on that device to keep PLC/X10 signals
from being absorbed and raise the signal strength of the entire home.
An average home will need between three and five filters. If you are in the business of
installing automation systems and not in the 'call-back' business, include some of these in your
bid as part of the standard package.
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