PLM Outlet Questions

[jmed999]

How do you have your PLM plugged into an outlet? Is it ok to have something else plugged into the same outlet? I have a closet with lots of electrical TV related components along with my cable modem, wireless router, etc. I only have 1 outlet with 2 plugs in that closet. In the top plug I have a power/surge protector strip and the other I have the PLM by itself. Both in the same outlet.

 

Here is my dilemma....

 

I would like to replace the outlet with an outletlinc. Then I could plug all my components that do not need to run all day (ie. Amp, Google TV, DVR, etc) into the top plug via a power strip. I could then control the top outlet to minimize electricity. The bottom plug would have a UPS/power strip for everything that needs to run 24/7, ie. cable modem, wifi, ISY, PLM, DirecTV receiver, etc). The problem is I would then have the PLM plugged into a UPS power strip with other electrical devices.

 

Would this be ok? If not, how could I do it such that the PLM would still have good communication with all my Insteon devices?

 

Thanks!

[oberkc]

Based upon your description, I consider it highly likely that you are going to experience less-than-optimum performance from your insteon system. The PLM is the brain. It must hear everything. Furthermore, plugging your PLM into the UPS is, in my estimation, a way to nearly guarantee failure.

 

Personally, I have added a dedicated circuit for the PLM. While I expect that this is an overkill for most applications, I believe you should reconsider your plans. My suggestion would be to use some combination of extension cords (not surge suppressor types) to ensure EVERYTHING you have on this outlet is filtered, except the PLM.

 

Depending on your skills, perhaps you could build your own "extension cord". Mount a couple of electrical boxes a board. In one box, add an outletlinc. In the other, a standard outlet. In the outletlinc, plug in a filter, from which you could run a power strip with all your occasional electronics. In the other outlet, plug a filter, from which you would power your UPS and always-on electronics. Power this from the end of a power cord, plugged into your closet outlet. In the other outlet of your closet, plug your PLM.

[jmed999]

Thanks for the response! I'm not sure I understand this sentence..."Mount a couple of electrical boxes a board". Did you mean "in a board?" What do you mean by board?

 

With this "In one box, add an outletlinc. In the other, a standard outlet. In the outletlinc, plug in a filter, from which you could run a power strip with all your occasional electronics. In the other outlet, plug a filter, from which you would power your UPS and always-on electronics. Power this from the end of a power cord, plugged into your closet outlet. In the other outlet of your closet, plug your PLM."

 

So in the ouletlinc controllable plug connect the filter then power strip then occasional electronics. Connect nothing to the always on plug in the outletlinc. Then in the standard outlet plug in a filter. Then connect a UPS with the electronics I don't want a power failure to affect into the filter. Leave the 2nd plug in the standard outlet empty. Then plug both of these outlets (with 4 plugs two being empty) into an extension cord which plugs in the original outlet. Then connect the PLM into the other plug of the original outlet?

 

Is that what you mean?

 

Thanks!

[oberkc]

I'm not sure I understand this sentence..."Mount a couple of electrical boxes a board". Did you mean "in a board?" What do you mean by board?

 

Guess I forgot a word. Mount a couple of electrical boxes TO/ON/IN a board. You were correct.

 

So in the ouletlinc controllable plug connect the filter then power strip then occasional electronics.

Yes

 

Connect nothing to the always on plug in the outletlinc.

 

Yes, you could use this outlet, but I suspect it may be physically blocked by the filterlinc. Consider the second outlet a spare.

 

Leave the 2nd plug in the standard outlet empty.

 

You may also use this second plug, but it may suffer the same fate as the second plug on the outletlinc. Spare outlets never hurt, however.

 

Then plug both of these outlets (with 4 plugs two being empty) into an extension cord which plugs in the original outlet. Then connect the PLM into the other plug of the original outlet?

 

Yes.

[markgam]

Depending upon the age and condition of you house, it shouldn't cost you more than $50-$100 to have an electrician come in and add a quad outlet in that closet. Just by your description it seems that you may have too many items running off of that single outlet as it is.

[Brian H]

Plugging all those electronic devices into the switched outlet on an OutletLinc could also pose a possible problem.

If they generate enough noise or absorb enough power line signals. You may get the I can turn it On OK but not Off situation. Where the extra noise when turned On prevents the OutletLinc to go Off.

 

Not that it maybe your solution. I have my UPS in the filtered outlet of a FilterLinc and my PLM in the pass through unfiltered outlet on the FilterLinc.

[jmed999]

Depending upon the age and condition of you house, it shouldn't cost you more than $50-$100 to have an electrician come in and add a quad outlet in that closet. Just by your description it seems that you may have too many items running off of that single outlet as it is.

 

The amps are currently ok. There is an outlet on the other side of the closet wall. I suppose he could add a quad outlet at the same location but facing the inside of the closet. Then I guess I could use an outletlinc as one of the 2 outlets in the quad setup. Then use filterlincs in both of those outlets with my electronics then the PLM could plug into my original outlet.

[jmed999]

Plugging all those electronic devices into the switched outlet on an OutletLinc could also pose a possible problem.

If they generate enough noise or absorb enough power line signals. You may get the I can turn it On OK but not Off situation. Where the extra noise when turned On prevents the OutletLinc to go Off.

 

Would they still generate to much noise if they were added to a filterlinc?

[Brian H]

Testing with no FilterLinc may show everything is OK. Not all devices are a problem.

If they where. A FilterLinc would reduce their effects and the On but not Off situation should be better.

[oberkc]

Would they still generate to much noise if they were added to a filterlinc?

 

In case you are interested, "noise" is not the only issue. There is much discussion about the effect of electronics devices on insteon communication and a great deal of detail that I find interesting, but of limited value from a practical standpoint, given my lack of access to the necessary troubleshooting tools. I generally think of the potential degredation of insteon communication by electronic devices as, generically, "interference". Regardless of whether it is noise or something else, my experience is like that of Brian H...yes, a filterlinc will help.

 

Also, as Brian H suggests, trials and tests without a filterlinc(s) may reveal no problems, in which case no worries. To this I would add that I have found the problems with electronic devices can be additive. While no single device on your list may be a noticable problem, the effect of so many devices could be. Furthermore, communication failure is not necessarily catastrophic. You may simply experience reduced reliability in your communication (80% success rather than 99%). Or you may notice slow response.

 

Having so many devices plugged into a single outlet offers the opportunity to filter a lot of devices with a single filterlinc. For these reasons, and my experience with similar electronic devices, I suggest putting them on a filter as a pre-emptive measure. You have a lot of money invested in insteon. A few, well-placed filters is cheap insurance.

[jmed999]

Would they still generate to much noise if they were added to a filterlinc?

 

In case you are interested, "noise" is not the only issue. There is much discussion about the effect of electronics devices on insteon communication and a great deal of detail that I find interesting, but of limited value from a practical standpoint, given my lack of access to the necessary troubleshooting tools. I generally think of the potential degredation of insteon communication by electronic devices as, generically, "interference". Regardless of whether it is noise or something else, my experience is like that of Brian H...yes, a filterlinc will help.

 

I'm not sure I understand this. If noise is not the only issue, what else could it be?

[oberkc]

what else could it be?

 

Electronic devices can also attenuate, or "absorb", signals. Regardless, the consequences to your insteon system are the same and a filter will work.

[jmed999]

Ok. Thanks for your help!