Sensing current flow through Insteon Devices

[markgam]

Would it be possible to include in future products the ability to determine if there is actual current flow through the device? This way we can determine if there are issues with the circuit such as a blown light blub, etc??

[Brian H]

That function would have to be in the Insteon Module itself.

Then you maybe able to test the load status.

[Sub-Routine]

AFAIK the LampLinc and ApplianceLinc modules send a NAK when there is no load connected. The ISY sees this as an error, Cannot Communicate With... but there is no program command to notice this.

 

Rand

[Brian H]

Rand; Is that all of the revisions or just the recent ones?

I don't think my rev 1.3 ApplianceLinc act that way, but I never looked that hard.

[Sub-Routine]

Hi Brian,

 

The oldest LampLincs I own have this feature. I am not sure on the ApplianceLincs.

 

None of the wired devices have this so the load wire can be capped and the switch used as a controller only.

 

I thought the InlineLincs would have incorporated this but not to my knowledge. Only plug-in modules.

 

Rand

[Roy Giffen]

My daughter turned off a lamp I have connected to a Lamplinc by using the switch on the lamp. When I turned the lamp back on using the same switch the lamp didn't come on instantly but did the 30 second ramp up that I had programmed. From this I conclude that the Lamplinc had noticed that the lamp had been turned off.

[LeeG]

LampLincs have had load sensing for ever as far as I know. The feature can be turned Off such that load sensing does not turn On the LampLinc but it does not electronically disable the load sensing circuitry. This is why some devices such as LED lamps will glow because of the small current flow associated with the load sensing circuit regardless of whether the feature is enabled or disabled.

 

This load sensing is separate from the LampLinc being able to send back a message to a responder that the LampLinc has actually turned On due to local activity. Very old LampLincs which do have load sensing do not send Insteon messages when the lamp is turned on locally. Newer Lamplincs have the capability to send messages back to a responder when the LampLinc is turned on due to local activity.

[Roy Giffen]

Thank you. Can this (as opposed to the status set by the ISY) be used by the ISY?

[LeeG]

My tests on 2.7.15 indicate NO. The ISY does not automatically add a Controller of link in the LampLinc when the LampLinc is added to the ISY which is necessary for it to know where to send the Group On command. Also I was not able to add the LampLinc to a Scene as a Controller because the ISY views it as a responder only.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Guys,

 

It all depends on the type of LampLinc ... especially BiPHY and w/Sense are indeed added to ISY with a controller link and then you can add them as controllers in scenes.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[LeeG]

Michel, thanks for that info. What is BiPHY. Roy Giffen asked with regard to a Lamplinc. I added a 2456D3 LampLinc as a 2456D3 which does have load sensing, turns on the LampLinc when the attached lamp is manually turned On but the LampLinc could not report that transition to On as there was no Controller of link added to the LampLinc when I added the device to ISY. Tried creating a Scene with the LampLinc as a Controller but adding the LampLinc to the Scens as a Controller was not given as an option.

[LeeG]

Roy Giffen

 

A technique that has worked on other platforms and worked in this case is to define the LampLinc as a SwitchLinc. Essentially a LampLinc that sends Group 1 On/Off when the load is manually turned On/Off is functioning like a SwitchLinc. I tried this and it works here. Removed the LampLinc and added it back as a SwitchLinc. Now My Lighting reflects the LampLinc status as it is turned On/Off manually. You will also be able to use Control to trigger a Program since that is basic to a SwitchLinc. Not sure you want to go down the road of declaring devices with a different Device Type but in this case a LampLinc that functions as a Controller when the load is manually switched On/Off is functioning as a SwitchLinc. Just an option if it is important to you for the ISY to fully support the LampLinc.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello LeeG,

 

Thanks so very much. The devices MUST be able to become controllers and, as of now, only Dual Band (biphy) LampLincs and LampLincs with sense. In short, you cannot fake a responder only devices into a controller/responder device.

 

With kind regards,

Michel