Dual Band Switch and wall face plates

[percy]

I replaced a switch dimmer in the garage with a new dual band switch dimmer. I had been having issues with the switch not always responding so I figured a dual band switch would resolve the issue. After replacing the switch, the ISY99 could not communicate with the switch. I removed the wall plate and checked the wiring. Tested the communication from the ISY99 and everything was OK. Replaced the wall plate and tested again and the ISY99 could not communicate with the switch. A couple of years ago my wife had me replace all the wall plates with brushed metal wall plates. This switch is in a dual switch gang box so it's a good size metal wall plate. Once I removed the plate everything works fine and since the switch is in the garage replacing the plate with a plastic wall plate is not an issue. But that's not going to be an option inside the house.

 

I would have thought that if RF failed it wouild still communicated over the power line. But that's why I replaced it in the first place was because over power was not reliable.

 

So anyone with metal wall plates you may want to tihink your startegy when you add dual band wall switches.

[Brian H]

A metal electrical box and metal switch cover does make a fairly good RF shield.

[oberkc]

I would have thought that if RF failed it wouild still communicated over the power line. But that's why I replaced it in the first place was because over power was not reliable.

 

So anyone with metal wall plates you may want to tihink your startegy when you add dual band wall switches.

 

Despite the existence of dual-band devices, I still consider insteon to be primarily based upon powerline communication. If I am having trouble with communication over powerlines, my first reaction would be to fix this, as painful as it might be. I view RF communication as backup and redundant, intended only to further improve reliability of my system, not as my only means of communication.

[percy]

I agree RF should only be used as a backup and that was my orginial plan. The only time the garage light was flacky was when it was being controlled by programming. ( coach lights set for dusk to dawn operation) So when I replaced it with a dual band switch I assumed over power should still work. So I'm confused why I get a communtion error with the wall plate on. I'm going to have to dig into this further.

[Brian H]

You indicated there was a power line signal problem with the original SwitchLinc and it appears the Dual Band is also not reliably receiving the power line signals.

Have you checked to noise makers or signal absorbers on that line?

 

Does it work with direct On and Off commands though My Lighting but not when controlled by a program?

What type of load is on the SwitchLinc Dimmer?

 

Since the new Dual Band SwitchLinc is new. It is I2CS protocol are you using 3.2.6 firmware on your ISY unit?

[oberkc]

The only time the garage light was flacky was when it was being controlled by programming. ( coach lights set for dusk to dawn operation) So when I replaced it with a dual band switch I assumed over power should still work.

 

I agree that the addition of dual band or a metal wall plate would not worsen the powerline communication, but I thought you had indicated problems also with the original switch. The problems being limited to "programming" suggests that the communication issues may be associated with the location of the PLM. What other devices do you have plugged into the same outlet and circuit as the PLM? Lots of computer stuff? Surge suppressors? Power supplies? Have you confirmed the existence of dual-band devices on both legs of your electrical system?