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newbie...communication issues...


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Hello,

 

I'm having issues with 2477s I just installed.  It is farthest from the plm.  My plm is on the opposite phase as the rest of my switches.  I do have other 2477s that I assume is talking to my plm wirelessly.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but the switches that I have issues with would talk to the other switches via powerline, and the closest ones to my plm would relay that wirelessly, right?  Or are my problems due to the fact that these switches are wireless only to my plm and it's a distance issue?

 

 

Here is a log:

 

 

ISY-Events-Log.v4.0.5__Sat 2014.08.30 02.02.09 PM.txt

 

 

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I am not sure that one can assume that there is a specific mode of communication that is related to physical distances between devices. I would look at the the typical causes first. It is best not to ASSUME that the plm is communicating wirelessly to the other devices. Have you positively confirmed communication across the legs of your electrical system? How? Do you have lots of other computer equipment on the same outlet or circuit of the PLM?

 

How do you know the plm is on the opposite phase as all the rest of your devices?

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The 2413S PLM. sends both RF and power line signals. As do the other Dual Band modules.

 

If you have the 2477D on the opposite phase and both power line or RF signals can't reach it. That can be a problem.

The RF distance is effected by things like electrical box it is mounted in and obstructions in the RF path to other Dual Band  modules.

 

Have you done the built in communications tests in the module? To see what is communicating with each other?

Tap the set button on the PLM four times and it should start beeping. Then look at the other modules for their LEDs actions.

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I am not sure that one can assume that there is a specific mode of communication that is related to physical distances between devices. I would look at the the typical causes first. It is best not to ASSUME that the plm is communicating wirelessly to the other devices. Have you positively confirmed communication across the legs of your electrical system? How? Do you have lots of other computer equipment on the same outlet or circuit of the PLM?

 

How do you know the plm is on the opposite phase as all the rest of your devices?

 

Thank you for your time.  Since my plm is on one phase, and the switches are on the other, it has to be wireless, no?

 

All my computer equipment is on this circuit, so a filterlinc might be in order.  But the question remains.  Since my plm is on one phase, and my devices are on the other, it's wireless, no?  And shouldn't be affected by the computer equipment?

 

I know everything is on the opposite phase because I've mapped out my circuit.  I'm actually flabbergasted by the sheer coincidence.  I can move the plm breaker on the same phase as the devices.....

 

Lastly, can you illuminate as to my question in regards to the communications. Is this correct?

 

Far switch ---> powerline ---> Near switch ---> RF ---> plm

 

I have no issues with the near switches....

 

Thank you.

 

 

The 2413S PLM. sends both RF and power line signals. As do the other Dual Band modules.

 

If you have the 2477D on the opposite phase and both power line or RF signals can't reach it. That can be a problem.

The RF distance is effected by things like electrical box it is mounted in and obstructions in the RF path to other Dual Band  modules.

 

Have you done the built in communications tests in the module? To see what is communicating with each other?

Tap the set button on the PLM four times and it should start beeping. Then look at the other modules for their LEDs actions.

 

Thank you.  I did that, they blinked green a bunch of times, and then 1 white, and then green again.....  Is there a chart for what it all means?

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Thank you.  I did that, they blinked green a bunch of times, and then 1 white, and then green again.....  Is there a chart for what it all means?

Each dual-band device's Owner's Manual describes how that device responds to the 4-tap test.

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Since my plm is on one phase, and my devices are on the other, it's wireless, no?

 

Could be, but not for certain.  Powerline communication across phases is possible, but usually more difficult due to the need to communicate through the transformer.  Also, some appliances can provide a communication path across phases.

 

I would also not assume that the wireless is communicating, unless confirmed via the methods suggested by Brian H

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As soon as you unplug that computer and related electronic gear I am sure you will be able to communicate with that switch. But, as others have suggested you need to complete the 4 tap phase bridging test and reference the manual for each device you have on hand.

 

If your problem isn't coupling, its noise makers, signal suckers.

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According to what I have found, when I do the 4-tap test on the plm, the devices that responds are the ones in range of the rf.  So that ones I have problems with is intermittently with rf.  The farthest ones doesn't respond at all.  So I'm going to assume that it's communicating through powerline from a closer device through rf.  Obviously, powerline has issues too.  

 

So I decided to go ahead and put the plm on the same phase as the rest of the devices.  That should help, no?  

 

Also I'm going to order a couple of filterlincs.

 

Lastly, should I invest in these new repeaters?  As another means of communicating to this far away devices?

 

plm (phase a) > rf > kp (phase B) > powerline > repeater > rf > kp (phase a)

 

 

Thanks!

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Once you have any pair of dual-band devices bridging the opposite legs of the split, single-phase electric supply, then you have adequate coupling. Additional Range Extenders or other dual-band devices will help to extend the range of INSTEON devices and increase reliability.

 

Dual-band devices can overcome some, but not all powerline problems. FilterLincs usually do solve a bunch of powerline problems that are not cause by lack of coupling

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Moving the PLM to the same phase as your switches should help.  However, if you move the unfiltered computer gear at the same time, things may get worse, not better.  A simple test is to plug the PLM into an extension cord then the cord into an outlet on the other phase.  Leave the computer gear where it was.

 

-Xathros

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