I live in an apartment building on the top floor, though I have some storage rooms and laundry in the basement. My apt and basement are not on the same electrical panels.

 

What is the best way to bridge the two electrical panels so that the basement PLM devices get the commands from my ISY in my top floor Apt.

I live in an apartment building on the top floor, though I have some storage rooms and laundry in the basement. My apt and basement are not on the same electrical panels.[/size]

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What is the best way to bridge the two electrical panels so that the basement PLM devices get the commands from my ISY in my top floor Apt.[/size]

Plug in a dual-band module into a circuit receptacle fed by each panel.

Make sure the RF transmission from each has a good clear pathway to the other, no metal walls etc..

when would i use phase-coupler?

​could I add one of these to both electrical panels?

http://www.smarthome.com/signalinc-insteon-2406h-phase-coupler-hardwired.html

Phase couplers are for bridging 2 legs if the electrical system that are side by side in the same panel. The wires from the coupler go to 2 immediately adjacent breakers in the same panel.

 

If they are truly separate panels, I don't see how the coupler would work for bridging upstairs to the basement. How many floors? Larry's suggestion is best.

 

FYI, if each panel has 2 legs, you could use a coupler in each panel, but also need the RF range extender / access point for the signal to travel between the 2 systems.

 

Paul

Edited August 22, 20169 yr by paulbates

A hard wired phase-coupler is a good idea for any Insteon installation. It's the best device to bridge the opposite legs of the split, single-phase electric supply. But it's power line only, no RF and will be effective for only device fed by that particular panel.

 

It's unlikely that RF from an Insteon network on the top of a building will reach the basement. You may need to create two Insteon networks (i.e., two ISYs and two PLMs). The portal will allow you to access both from either location.

A phase coupler between two different mains panels would not meet safety code in Canada and I doubt it would in the USA either.

 

You would have a breaker from one leg of each panel feeding a phase coupler in on box. A definite gotcha' when somebody decides to rewire something.

 

As others have posted, you can use a phase coupler between the side of your 240v supplies at each location but to get from one panel to the other a dual-band module that you can use for another purpose at the same time is about the best.