| X10 Cameras are becoming very popular for | | | | home. When this doesn't happen, a simple |
| several reasons. But what is X10?X10 is a | | | | plug-in phase coupler called SignaLinc will |
| communications language that allows | | | | solve this problem.What devices are known to |
| compatible products to talk to each other | | | | interfere with X10 commands?There are many |
| using the existing electrical wiring in the | | | | devices in most homes, which interfere with |
| home.Most X10 compatible products are very | | | | the X10 signal, preventing it from getting to |
| affordable and the fact that they talk over | | | | its destination.Some have circuits which |
| existing wires in your home means that no | | | | eliminate noise (conditioners). These |
| costly rewiring is necessary.X10 is | | | | circuits absorb the X10 signal, making it |
| SimplePress a button on the transmitter and | | | | weaker throughout the house. Other devices |
| the signal is sent over the home's wiring to | | | | put noise on the power line making it |
| a receiver.In the past, if you wanted to be | | | | difficult for the signal to be heard.The |
| able to control certain lights and appliances | | | | following lists of devices are likely to |
| from one location, you would have to run | | | | interfere with X10 signals: |
| hundreds of feet of wire to route the power | | | | |
| switches of each device to one location.Using | | | | |
| X10 modules, you don't have to do this, since | | | | |
| the X10 House/Unit codes and commands are | | | | Televisions |
| transmitted over your existing house | | | | |
| wiring.X10 devices can be categorized into 3 | | | | Computers: Clone-type computers seem to be |
| distinct groups: | | | | more of a problem than name brands |
| | | | |
| | | | Computer monitors: No-name brands are bigger |
| | | | problems than big name brands |
| Transmitters | | | | |
| | | | Laptop computer power supplies: NEC is a |
| Receivers | | | | known problem |
| | | | |
| Transmitter/Receivers (2 way devices) | | | | Ozone/Air ionizers and filters |
| | | | |
| X10 communicates between transmitters and | | | | Game Systems: Nintendo, X-Box, PlayStation, |
| receivers by sending and receiving signals | | | | etc. |
| over the power line wiring. These signals | | | | |
| involve short RF bursts which represent | | | | Audio/Video components: Satellite receivers, |
| digital information.Using simple dials or | | | | CD players, VCRs, DVD players, Cable boxes, |
| buttons you assign each product with one of | | | | Tape Decks, TIVOs, AV Receivers |
| up to 256 addresses.If you want more than one | | | | |
| device to respond to the same signal, simply | | | | MIDI musical instruments Synthesizers, |
| set them to the same addresses.All X10 | | | | Electronic pianos, Drum machines, Mixers, |
| compatible products can be freely mixed and | | | | Reverbs, etc. |
| matched.It is estimated that X10 compatible | | | | |
| products can be found in over 10 million | | | | Fax machines |
| American homes.Advantages | | | | |
| | | | Surge-protection power strips, UPS's, and |
| | | | Power Conditioners. |
| | | | |
| Inexpensive | | | | Noisemakers (Devices that actually put out |
| | | | electrical noise onto the electrical line) |
| No new wiring is required | | | | |
| | | | Transformers: Motors: Refrigerator, heating |
| Simple to install | | | | systems, pumps, attic fans, treadmills |
| | | | |
| Hundred's of compatible products | | | | Microwave Ovens |
| | | | |
| Control up to 256 lights and appliances | | | | Fluorescent-based lighting and ballast |
| | | | transformersCell phone chargers, Toothbrush |
| Time proven, this technology has been around | | | | chargers, Razors, etc. |
| for over 20 years. | | | | |
| | | | Importance of Noise FilterX10 technology is |
| How to avoid problems?Most of the time, X10 | | | | simple, inexpensive, and compatible with |
| products works without any problems. However, | | | | almost everything.But because it is using the |
| because they talk over your home's electrical | | | | same power source of electronic appliances |
| wires they may have difficulties in two | | | | like cordless phone, computer, computer |
| situations.The first is when there is an | | | | monitor, television, satellite, dryer, |
| appliance running that generates "noise" onto | | | | electric toothbrush it is important that you |
| the power lines.Appliances that may cause | | | | spend a few extra dollars on noise filters |
| problems are motors (e.g. dryer, treadmill, | | | | for these electronic devices.The reason to |
| vacuum cleaner, etc.) and advanced | | | | get noise filter is because X10 signal looks |
| electronics (e.g. switching power supplies on | | | | like electrical noise and quality power |
| some laptops, some big screen TV's, etc.).The | | | | supplies used by computer for example, will |
| good news is that all you need to do is plug | | | | destroy the X10 signal!Christian Rivard is |
| the appliance into a noise filter.Quality X10 | | | | the publisher for working for several years |
| noise filter are sold for $20 or less.The | | | | in the digital photography industry, |
| second situation is when your X10 transmitter | | | | Christian created a site about digital |
| is on one side (phase) of your home's | | | | photography and now is publishing a site |
| electrical wiring and the receiver is on the | | | | about wireless security camera where you can |
| other side.Many times the signal either | | | | find all the information you need about X10 |
| bridges the two phases at the transformer at | | | | cameras. |
| the street or via some 220V appliance in the | | | | |