A (suggested) systematic approach to communication problems

[stusviews]

Info only, not required reading. Insteon uses, primarily, the powerline. RF is a back-up. That means that RF can overcome a lot of powerline difficulties, but not all. There are signal suckers that absorb so much of the powerline signal that jhe RF one or more devices on the same circuit cannot overcome and/or there are signal stompers that place such an abundant amount of noise on the powerline as to wallop the signal. The former devices include UPSs and line conditioners. among others, that do exactly what they should. It's not their fault. they are simply very good at doing what they are meant to do,

 

The latter devices are also not the subject of blame. They do what they are intended to do and pass the savings on to the buyer by not adding the cost circuity that is not required. The circuitry is not costly, but is, nonetheless, an added expense. The most notorious devices are cell phone chargers, but even name brand products are guilty.

 

Any RF device in the 902-928 MHz (33 cm) band can interfere with HA communication. Those devices include, but are not limited cordless phones and wireless baby monitors. Intercoms, too.

 

The solution in all cases are filters. Filters do not keep the offending device(s) from doing their job. They just keep what they are doing off the powerline. but it's useless to filter devices at random, that is, what you may believe is a problem device. If you are having Insteon communication difficulties, then you must go through the tedious process of isolating the problematic device(s). If an already filtered device actually solves a problem, then that specific device requires a filter.

 

Begin here:

A systematic approach which makes the task a bit less tedious.

 

After ensuring that you have bridged both halves of the split. single-phase electric supply (separate topic). turn on one half of the breakers (except the router, a computer and the PLM and ISY power), It doesn't matter which half. It will really help if you've mapped out  each and every switch, outlet (duplex receptacle). and wired device in you're home. If not, this is an opportunity to do so.

 

Step 1. Problem is solved:

The difficult device is on one of the breaker circuits that's turned off. Turn on half the remaining breakers.

 

Step 2. Problem disappears:

Turn on half of the remaining breakers. Go to Step 1.

 

Continue until there's only one circuit left being off that cures communication.

 

Now unplug or disconnect each and every device on that circuit. Many devices remain connected to the powerline even when they're turned off. Turning a device off is not adequate. It must be unplugged or disconnected.

 

Step 3. Plug or connect one device at a time until the problem resurfaces. That specific device needs a filter.

 

Problem still exists:

The offending device is on the same circuit(s) that powers the router, a computer, the PLM and ISY power. It may be any of the aforementioned devices or something else still powered on.

 

A sincere thanks to belias for the suggested title word