Novice X10 FAQ

This FAQ answers questions new users may ask. This is newly thrown together and will grow as users contribute via the discussion forums.

Explain "X10" to me.
What commands can I do with it?
How many devices can I control with X10?
Why did they divide them that way?
Gee, could someone hack my house??
What kinds of receiving modules are there?
What kinds of controllers are there?
Can I hook it to my PC?
How can I do more complicated control?
How should I get started?
Hey, you didn't answer the question I have psychically sent to you!

1. Explain "X10" to me.
   
   X10 is the name of a company (X10.com) and the name of a protocol used in home automation. You control anything that can connect to your electrical system, by plugging in or wiring, such as wall switches. Controllers plug into the wall also, and signals from the controllers travel over the home wiring. It's an inexpensive way to remotely control the power to wired devices.
   
   
2. What commands can I do with it?
   
   The commands that can be sent over X10 include on, off, dim, brighten, all lights on, all lights off. Newly introduced commands exist for newer hardware than can ask a unit what its state is, or can dim lights to absolute levels (only certain high end modules do this).
   
   
3. How many devices can I control with X10?
   
   256 Devices, set by code letters A through P, and numbers 1-16.
   
   
4. Why did they divide them that way?
   
   They thought houses would use 16 each, and grouped them this way so your neighbor would use one letter, and you another. There is a chance that signals could travel outside your home and interfere. In practice it doesn't seem to happen often, so using all codes is fine.
   

   
   
5. Gee, could someone hack my house??
   
   I suppose, so! I had a neighbor somewhere with one, my lamp used to go on and off by itself! It wasn't interference (which is possible especially from older computers). When I corrected the light with my control, back on it came! I just switched the code.
   
   But if you are paranoid, you can get a blocker that installs near your breaker box.
   
   
6. What kinds of receiving modules are there?
   
   Here are the basic modules, to give you an idea. There are more variations you can see at X10 and other vendors on the web.
   
   Appliance module: This plugs into the wall, and your appliance plugs into it. A relay controls the device coming on and off, ka-chung! They aren't quiet so don't use this in your baby's room! Good for non light devices.
   
   Lamp module: This plugs into the wall, and an incandescent lamp plugs into it. Florescents are a no-no, as well as most other things. This is because if you ever dimmed it, low voltages could damage equipment. The dimming modules have a little voltage going even when turned off, and trouble could arise from that as well.
   
   Wall switch: This installs like a normal wall switch, but hears X10 commands, and can dim like the lamp module. Same thing goes for this one, nothing but light bulbs!
   
   Mini FAQ: What the heck is that chicklet? That's the switch. Other vendors make paddle type switches. The basic X10 switch is a toggle, press once for on, again for off. They can't dim, but if you are handy with a soldering iron, you can modify it to. With the modification, holding the button will make the light cycle bright/dim until you release it.
   
   Under the switch is a little slide switch, that if moved to off will make the light stay off, switch won't work, or X10 commands. Why? It's to completely remove voltage from the circuit, for bulb changing. This was a safety requirement.
   
   Other Things: You can buy floodlights, dry contact modules, special interfaces with several contacts, thermostats and more.
   
   Check out Hardware Links
   
   
7. What kinds of controllers are there?
   
   16 Unit controller, 8 unit controller, 4 unit controllers: These have a wheel to set the house code (letter) and numbered buttons. The 16 unit model has 16 buttons, and the six X10 commands. So you press number(s) and then a command, like 1,2,3 dim. To dim, you hold it until it's at the level you want.
   
   The other controllers have on/off for each of the numbers, so you just press the number in either on or off position. The controller internally sends the whole thing the same way (ex: 1on). With these units you can't control more than one like the 16.
   
   Wireless controllers: These are radio receivers than can hear remote controllers via radio. The 16 unit "palm" controller transmits via radio, the codes for 16 units. But you need a receiver to hear that. The receiver module plugs into the wall, and can hear the codes for one house code. If you want to cover more codes, you have to get more transceivers.
   
   When the receiver hears your wireless remote, it transmits the X10 commands through the wire as normal. X10's infrared motion detectors are wireless transmitters, and send their commands in this was as well.
   
   Check out Hardware Links
   
   
8. Can I hook it to my PC?
   
   I think you know that answer...yes! It's cheap to do. X10's current "special" (don't get me started!) is fifty bucks for a kit with the controller, software, lamp module, keychain remote and universal remote that can control your IR (infrared) stuff like T.V.'s and also transmits to X10 wireless receivers.
   
   There are other vendors too, but the one from X10 is the CM11A. It hooks you to your computer's serial port. It has the ability to store simple commands in itself, such as turning certain devices on and off at times, and doing simple macros. This lets you turn off the computer and it is in control.
   
   The controller can hear X10 commands coming along the house wiring, and this is how macros are done. The controller could hear B4 on for example, and in response to that, turn on lights C4, C5 and dim light D2. Pretty nifty! But the built in logic for this controller won't do if-then conditionals.
   
   
9. How can I do more complicated control?
   
   You could buy a more sophisticated controller like the CPUXA, or many others too numerous to mention. Or you could leave your computer on all the time and run a software package, like HAL, HomeSeer, or Commander X. This allows great flexibility, and with power saving features of PC's, it's more practical than in the past.
   
   Check out Software Links.
   
   
10. How should I get started?
    
    That's your choice, but spending fifty bucks to get the ActiveHome kit at X10's web site is a good start. If you want cheaper, you can pick up things at your local Radio Shack. I wouldn't recommend buying a ton of stuff until you try one and ensure your power lines are clean enough to do it without trouble. It's rare this happens, but why not be sure?
    
    Check out Vendor Links.
    
    
11. Hey, you didn't answer the question I have psychically sent to you!
    
    Yes the brain reader for the site is down. This FAQ will only get better with input, so send some on our feedback page, or e-mail feedback@homeautomationforum.com.