I just got done installing 65 switches in a new house and when I hit the breaker and everything turned on, I witnessed the strangest behavior with two of the switches. 

 

When I turned one of the switches on and off, another one on the opposite side of the house was responding to the command. These switches were brand new in the sealed box. I have no idea how two of the switches could already be linked together. I ended up doing a factory reset on both. Never seen this behavior before but wanted to know if anybody has ever encountered devices linked from the factory. 

 

I still have not plugged in the PLM or ISY, so no configuration was done. 

I just got done installing 65 switches in a new house and when I hit the breaker and everything turned on, I witnessed the strangest behavior with two of the switches. 

 

When I turned one of the switches on and off, another one on the opposite side of the house was responding to the command. These switches were brand new in the sealed box. I have no idea how two of the switches could already be linked together. I ended up doing a factory reset on both. Never seen this behavior before but wanted to know if anybody has ever encountered devices linked from the factory. 

 

I still have not plugged in the PLM or ISY, so no configuration was done. 

 

First rule and *Best Practices* is to hard reset every new piece of hardware before it gets enrolled into the Insteon network. Also, ensure you document the install date, production & revision, and ISY firmware.

First rule and *Best Practices* is to hard reset every new piece of hardware before it gets enrolled into the Insteon network. Also, ensure you document the install date, production & revision, and ISY firmware.

 That is a great best practice that I use. I also information where the item was purchased and a link to a copy of the receipt. Makes it easy for the homeowner (and myself) to quickly make a warranty claim. 

 

Regarding the factory reset, do you hold down the set button to do the reset, or do you just rely on the ISY to delete the links when linking the device for the first time?

 That is a great best practice that I use. I also information where the item was purchased and a link to a copy of the receipt. Makes it easy for the homeowner (and myself) to quickly make a warranty claim. 

 

Regarding the factory reset, do you hold down the set button to do the reset, or do you just rely on the ISY to delete the links when linking the device for the first time?

 

I use both actually because it has been proven the ISY Series Controller doesn't always bring a piece of hardware back to a OEM state. Most of this hard resetting came about back in the day when the factory was pretty consistent in QA. That often left test links, programming options enabled and thus caused all kinds of odd things to happen.

 

Also, back in the day they had a whole line of *Pre-Linked* switches in those multi-packs.

 

That caused a huge headache for many of those bought second / used gear and wondered how this ghost behavior came about. The most important aspect is the ruminants of so called half links. 

 

Lastly, besides documenting all of the stats & metrics in the original PDF full users manual I place the same information in the ISY Series Controllers *Notes* section.

It's not only not difficult, it's really easy to inadvertently link devices when adding 65 in a short time

We have see others finding factory test links not removed before shipping.

Many here always do a Factory Reset on new modules before installing.

Guess I'll be running around tomorrow factory resetting everything and then adding them to the ISY. I should invest in a Segway or one of those hoverboards...

 

Besides knowing the Insteon ID or holding the set button, is there a way to have the controller auto discover all the devices on the network? That would save a lot of time! For the fanlincs and micro on/offs I always write down the ID before installing those. I can't tell you how many times I installed them to realize I have to go back up on the ladder and open the fixture. Learned that the hard way during my first install...

Guess I'll be running around tomorrow factory resetting everything and then adding them to the ISY. I should invest in a Segway or one of those hoverboards...

 

Besides knowing the Insteon ID or holding the set button, is there a way to have the controller auto discover all the devices on the network? That would save a lot of time! For the fanlincs and micro on/offs I always write down the ID before installing those. I can't tell you how many times I installed them to realize I have to go back up on the ladder and open the fixture. Learned that the hard way during my first install...

 

There are only three ways I know of and you have listed two of them. The only other method which has nothing do to with what you're asking about is finding out what the Insteon ID is when the label falls off and the ISY Series Controller refuses to add them.

 

That is by manually linking that piece of hardware to an existing device already enrolled into the ISY Series Controller. Having said this you can generate the topology report and print it out. This way you will have the *friendly names* with the Insteon ID.

Guess I'll be running around tomorrow factory resetting everything and then adding them to the ISY. I should invest in a Segway or one of those hoverboards...

 

Besides knowing the Insteon ID or holding the set button, is there a way to have the controller auto discover all the devices on the network? That would save a lot of time! For the fanlincs and micro on/offs I always write down the ID before installing those. I can't tell you how many times I installed them to realize I have to go back up on the ladder and open the fixture. Learned that the hard way during my first install...

Factory reset each device and use the admin console "restore, if they were already linked in.

Takes a few seconds each device. 

I factory reset, test, and add my devices to the ISY prior to installing them. That way I know the switch is good prior to the installation so that if something doesnt work afterwards, Im not troubleshooting a bad device. 

 

Once everything is in there, I run a backup of that configuration so that if I ever want to start fresh, I can run that backup instead of having to re-add all of the devices back into the ISY.

Edited November 16, 20177 yr by lilyoyo1