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Insteon Phase Coupler vs X-10 Phase coupler


Buzzhazz

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I am planning to purchase and install SmartHome's SignalLinc wired-in phase coupler, but have question. I have an existing X-10 network which has been pretty reliable but it includes Leviton 2-Phase X10 Amplified Coupler/Repeater.

 

A couple of days ago, I learned that older KPLs with BoosterLinc technology could interfere with an Insteon signal and in fact did have one enabled that appeared to be doing just that.

 

So my question is this. It appears that the Insteon phase coupler is also an X-10 passive phase coupler and I am wondering if leaving the Leviton device enabled will be a good thing, a bad thing or a neutral thing? I kind of hate the though of giving up the amplified capability as I assume it has added to the reliability of my existing system--and my existing system is still mostly X-10.

 

Thoughts?

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I cannot speak about the Leviton unit, but I have one of those X-10 plug-in phase couplers/repeaters from smarthome and can report that it co-exists with my insteon setup without any problem that I can detect.

 

OK, that's good to know. In the end, the only way to know for sure will be to do a cause and effect type experiment. right now, I only have two Insteon devices set up (in addition to the ISY/PLM and two access points). I'm getting mostly good comm, but there are times . . .

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I had no problems with an ACT CR134 and Insteon.

 

I am now using a JV Engineering XTB-IIR and it also is Insteon aware and is fine with it.

One nice thing about the XTB-IIR is it blasts about a 20 Volt PP X10 signal back on the power lines. :D

 

I have seen no information on the HCA02-10E and Insteon.

Trying it would be the best test of compatibility.

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but there are times . . .

I continue to play around a lot with my scenes and programming. One of the things that I do is initiate X-10 commands upon reciept of insteon conditions. I have come to the belief that the combined use of X-10 and insteon can sometimes result in simultaneous transmission of insteon and X-10 commands. I experience problems (devices don't come on or go off) when this happens. Like a lot of folks on this forum, I find it useful to put a second or so wait between insteon and X-10 commands.

 

I also find it interesting to observe that when communication is less robust, it takes longer for my system to process the insteon commands, including the various acknowledgements, repeats, and error messages. When this happens, the couple-second delays that I include are often not enough.

 

I understood that you have a good background in X-10, so you understand about interference and noise from other devices. I assume you have identified any of your household devices which degrade powerline signals and have dealt with them. The combining of insteon and X-10, though, can introduce this signal crashing thing if one is not careful, though, and can contribute to occasional times of miscommunication.

 

This may or may not be your problem, but I believe it to be something to watch out for.

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