Do I need a FilterLinc?

[teknikal2]

I've purchased a few insteon devices and an ISY 994i, and am experimenting with things before going all-out and automating the whole house. 

 

Here's my main issue:

I can just connect wires to the input of an IOLinc and connect or disconnect the wires together to simulate contact closure from the output of my alarm system.  On the ISY admin interface, the status of the IOLinc will change from On to Off or vice versa only about 90% of the time.  Sometimes it stays in the last state, but will update to the correct state if I Query the device.

 

I figured the message indicating a change was not getting from the IOLinc to the PLM.  I tried plugging the PLM right into the back of the IOLinc and it still behaves the same.  Both devices are installed on the same circuit as a tower computer, internet dsl modem, ethernet switch, and a few other devices, so I assume this is creating interference.  I've attached a level 3 activity log with the last entry showing the off message that was apparently ignored because the number of hops was 0?  I've ordered a FilterLinc to try and should have it in a couple days.

 

 

Should I expect communication to work every single time even in a ideal install?  I see that people quite often need FilterLincs to block the noise from a lot of common household equipment.  I have a LOT of cfl bulbs and some LEDs installed and am really worried about future issues.  Can I get some opinions on whether insteon is robust enough to work reliably in the future without using a ton of filterlincs - or should I maybe use Zwave devices?

 

Also, in the activity log, the message is apparently ignored since the hops remaining is 0.  If the message was received, shouldn't it be acted on even though the hops remaining is 0?

 

 

 

ISY-Events-Log.v4.0.5__Tue 2014.08.12 08.42.01 PM.txt

[LeeG]

The Hops Left=0 messages would be recognized but it does indicate there are powerline issues.   The last sequence has lost the secondary On message and the initial Off message altogether.  The second Off message is ignored because it is not the primary Off message.

 

Tue 08/12/2014 08:41:46 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 28.C5.63 00.00.01 CB 11 00    LTONRR (00)

 

Tue 08/12/2014 08:41:46 PM : [std-Group   ] 28.C5.63-->Group=1, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=2

 

Tue 08/12/2014 08:41:46 PM : [  28 C5 63 1]      DON   0

 

Tue 08/12/2014 08:41:46 PM : [  28 C5 63 1]       ST 255

 

There should be an additional On message and the primary Off message here, both of which have been lost.   With lost messages and Hops Left count jumping around powerline comm is having a problem.  

 

 

Tue 08/12/2014 08:41:48 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 28.C5.63 13.00.01 C3 06 00           (00)

 

Tue 08/12/2014 08:41:48 PM : [std-Group   ] 28.C5.63-->13.00.01, Max Hops=3, Hops Left=0

 

Tue 08/12/2014 08:41:48 PM : [iNST-INFO   ] Previous message ignored.

 

 

 

The PLM must be plugged directly in the wall (no surge/noise suppression power strip) and the other electronics isolated with a FilterLinc.   Another trace would be in order after those changes.   

[oberkc]

To LeeG's response, I add that it may be the garage door opener that is causing the problem.  Try filterning the opener, or temporarily moving the IOLinc to the PLM location to see if that helps.

 

I have not used Z-wave, so I cannot compare from experience, but my perceptions from reading various forums are that it may come with it's own set of problems.  Z-wave and Insteon, I suspect, are pretty comparible in terms of reliability.  Both can be made to work well, but both may require a bit of fussing around in some cases.

 

I can tell you also that I have NO incandescent bulbs remaining in my house.  All are LED or CFL.  Still, the insteon system seems to work.  I do, however, have about a half dozen filters on certain items.

[teknikal2]

I installed the FilterLinc to feed the power strip that has the computer and internet gear, so far the problem seems to be gone.  I went around the house and turned on every TV, light, receiver, both A/C systems, oven, etc.  On my power meter, I was reading about 15KW of power consumption.  I activated the IOLink about a 100 times, and never saw any messages in the event viewer that had fewer than 1 hop remaining, and never had the ISY fail to recognize the state change.  It seems really robust now  I'm guessing I might run into other issues if new devices get installed on a circuit that has something noisy - I'll just have to be cognizant of that possibility I guess.  

Thanks for the help!