interesting situation

[barrygordon]

I hate when I don't understand something.

 

I automated the pocket doors on entry to my Theater.  All is working well, or specifically, was working well until I made a slight change. The door slider units power supplies are plugged into Insteon controllable outlets (Outletlinc 2473 v 42). I did this so I could power off the doors if need be as all of the user controls are now behind the door moldings. This all worked fine.  I can control the outlets via the ISY via my i Pads or my iPhone as I do all devices (Insteon and Z-Wave), and I received subscribed to state feedback as to the state of the outlets )on/off).  In addition the doors inform my home automation control system of the doors state (open, closed) via a contact closure having nothing to do with the ISY and the Insteon outlets.

 

Originally I had power to the Insteon outlets being normal house power. In this mode a power failure would kill power to the doors. Not very  uncommon as I live in FL. When power is restored the doors automatically go to a closed state.   Since the entire theater is on a UPS and the doors are a trivial load except when moving, I changed the power to the Insteon outlets to be from the UPS.  

 

The ISY now claims via the admin console that it can no longer communicate with the Insteon outlets powering the doors. HOWEVER if I send a command via the iPad to the ISY REST interface to turn the Insteon controllable outlets on or off, the command works and the outlets change state; however I do not get a (subscribed to) feedback showing the change of state.

 

It is very strange that the ISY obeys the REST command properly controlling the outlets changing their state but does not issue the event feedback regarding the change of state.

 

The ISY admin console shows a red exclamation mark next to the Insteon outlet devices and does not allow one to turn the outlets on or off with an admin console command. 

 

All this has me a little confused but is working in a minimally acceptable manner as the only thing I am missing is the feedback on the state of the Insteon OutletLincs. 

 

Can any one explain to me what is going on, I am assuming that the UPS is not allowing the commands to get through the power lines to the Outletlincs, but the Outletlincs are dual band devices so why shouldn't the ISY be able to properly communicate with them over the RF network?

 

When I set up the OutletLincs into the ISY they were on normal power. Does the ISY use normal power if that is the way the original communications were performed so If I "reinstall" the Outletlincs into the ISY will t now use the RF network which should not care if the OutletLincs are on an UPS?

 

 

 

I think I have figured it out.  The 2473 devices are older devices that I had in my junk drawer and are NOT Dual Band.  I need the more modern dual band OutletLincs.

 

Can someone confirm this before I blow $100 for 2 dual band OutletLincs to make it right

[Brian H]

The UPS AC power line conditioning and noise filtering. Is absorbing the Insteon power line commands as noise.

If the OutletLincs are the power line only model. The ISY can't communicate with them.

Would Dual Band help. Depends on there being another Dual Band close enough to get an Insteon RF command to the OutletLincs.

[stusviews]

A good UPS will attempt to clean anything it deems as noise on the powerline. Even if the Insteon signal arrives via RF, it still travels to the powerline. Your UPS is doing its job well

[barrygordon]

What confuses me is that commands to turn the Outletlincs on or off from my iPad operating through the ISY REST interface work. I have just ordered a dual band OutletLinc with two separately controlled outlets. I will install that this weekend and see if it cleans things up.

 

Stu, I do not understand why if the signal arrives via RF It goes to the power line, unless that is for other non dual band units. It will be interesting to see what happens with the dual band unit.

[Brian H]

Except for a few Dual Band Modules.

RF commands received are put on the power line and received power line commands are sent by RF.

There is an option in a few models to turn Off RF or Power Line commands being sent by the module.

[lilyoyo1]

The 2473 is powerline's only. While the signal can go through in regards to controlling a device (the system will retry 3x) the same cannot be said of the acknowledgement.

[barrygordon]

I now have a 2663-222 dual OutletLinc working.  I have tested it both directly connected to power and connected through my UPS.  Both situations appear to work correctly.  I need to get up in the attic and swap out the  two 2473's for the single 2663. Plan tpodo that tomorrow while it is raining so the attic will be a little cooler.  Should take me about 5 minutes.

[Teken]

I now have a 2663-222 dual OutletLinc working.  I have tested it both directly connected to power and connected through my UPS.  Both situations appear to work correctly.  I need to get up in the attic and swap out the  two 2473's for the single 2663. Plan tpodo that tomorrow while it is raining so the attic will be a little cooler.  Should take me about 5 minutes.

 

Hello Barry Gordon,

 

Please kindly note the outlet is so rated to operate from 32'F ~ 104' F / 0'C ~ 40'C. If the outlet is literally in a unconditioned attic space expect the Florida heat to shorten its component service life. 

[barrygordon]

It will be interesting to see how long it does last

[Teken]

It will be interesting to see how long it does last

 

Well, the newer design is much better than the single band unit you're replacing now. That I can tell you for a fact along with having the ability to select RF vs Powerline in the hardware.

 

It's a pretty solid product and also offers one of the longest RF comms of any of the new Insteon hardware.