New installation, bad PLM?

[dgeary]

I have just installed a ISY-994i, 2413S and my first switch, a 2477s. The PLM LED is not always lit, and I had a real problem initially discovering my first device. After a series of reboots of the 994i and PLM, I was able to get the discovery window to stay open and it found the switch. However, no matter what I did, I could not control the switch.

 

After rebooting everything, I get a failed communicating with pop up when going in to the console. I did another reset and the console came up in safe mode -- can't find the PLM. This is really frustrating.

 

The PLM is plugged into a plug that goes directly into my electrical panel. I have changed the Ethernet cable. I have carefully rebooted several times (after searching through this forum for hints).

 

What do you think is going on?

 

Thx, DG

[LeeG]

The PLM LED is normally On unless in Start Linking operation which would have the LED blinking or when there is Insteon traffic.

 

Is the ISY and PLM near each other. Although done with an Ethernet cable the PLM to ISY connection is a Serial interface that has a relatively short cable restriction compared to an Ethernet connection. If it is a short cable, fully snapped on both ends and connected to Port A, it sounds like an issue with the PLM.

 

Also the PLM should be powered before the ISY is booted up.

[LeeG]

Regarding communication with the SwitchLinc, although the PLM and SwitchLinc are Dual Band devices, with the PLM at the power panel it may not be in RF range of the SwitchLinc. If the 4 tap Set button test is done using the PLM does the SwitchLinc show it is receiving the PLM RF?

[dgeary]

Hi Lee, thanks for your response.

 

Is the ISY and PLM near each other?

Yes, they are a few inches apart connected with a tested Ethernet cable.

 

Also the PLM should be powered before the ISY is booted up

Yes, that is how I am doing it. I have been able to get the ISY to see the PLM reliably now.

 

Regarding communication with the SwitchLinc, although the PLM and SwitchLinc are Dual Band devices, with the PLM at the power panel it may not be in RF range of the SwitchLinc. If the 4 tap Set button test is done using the PLM does the SwitchLinc show it is receiving the PLM RF?

No, it doesn't... and I suspect the SwitchLinc is too far away to receive RF from the PLM. I had thought the PLM was all I needed to distribute signal over 110 throughout the house. From what I am now reading, is it correct the PLM would need to be on the same leg of the panel as the SwitchLinc I am trying to control? If that's the case, they are on different legs. I don't want to move the ISY and PLM, so what would I do? I am not planning on having a lot of devices at this time.

[LeeG]

Either put all the Insteon devices, PLM and all other Insteon devices on the same 120v leg or get two Access Points to couple the 120v legs (phases). Insteon signals have a hard time getting from one 120v leg to the other as the signal has to travel out to the power company transformer and back if no coupling is done. Not realistic to have Insteon devices on both 120v legs without coupling.

[dgeary]

Either put all the Insteon devices, PLM and all other Insteon devices on the same 120v leg or get two Access Points to couple the 120v legs

Thank you Lee, it is starting to make sense. I have ordered an access point. Will this AP need to be installed within RF range of the PLM?

[LeeG]

I would recommend two Access Points. That way they can be moved around to different outlets until they are on opposite 120v legs and in RF range of each other. It can be done with the PLM and one Access Point but the Access Point may have to be positioned in a location that is not the best for other RF devices in the future.

[dgeary]

I would recommend two Access Points. That way they can be moved around to different outlets until they are on opposite 120v legs and in RF range of each other. It can be done with the PLM and one Access Point but the Access Point may have to be positioned in a location that is not the best for other RF devices in the future.

 

I have bought and installed 2 Access Points. I have moved them all over the house and made sure each time the 2nd AP flashes green in the 4-tap test. I have moved my ISY and PLM. I have read the forums inside out and cannot get the ISY to connect with my SwitchLinc 2477. It won't find it, it won't let me manually add it, nothing.

 

If I try the 4-tap test on one of the AP's, the bottom LED on the SwitchLinc will flash until I turn off the test mode on the AP... so that tells me the SwitchLinc is getting signal from the AP. The Admin Console tells me the PLM is connected, but I can't tell if the PLM is communicating with the AP's.

 

I am getting really frustrated. What am I missing?

[LeeG]

Sorry for the frustration. Insteon can do that. There is nothing besides the 4 tap Set button test to check RF communication. Applications (ISY) has no control of the RF aspect of the Insteon Mesh Network. A test that will determine if the SwitchLinc is defective is to connect the SwitchLinc to an Appliance cord (plug on one end, bare wires on the other for connection to the device) and plug the SwitchLinc into the outlet with the PLM. If it does not work there then either the device is defective or the ISY firmware is not late enough to have the support for an I2CS device.

 

After plugging into the PLM outlet run Tools | Diagnostics | Event Viewer at LEVEL 3. Then add the device. Post the event trace. It will show how well the PLM was able to communicate with the SwitchLinc when plugged into the PLM location.

 

The Access Points were not a waste of time. They are generally needed for good phase coupling so their use is good even if they did not resolve this issue.

 

EDIT: is this the only Insteon device available to add to the ISY?

[dgeary]

EDIT: is this the only Insteon device available to add to the ISY?

 

Lee, I appreciate your support. Just as a point of curiousity, is the 4-tap test supposed to work when done from the PLM? Because it does nothing when done from the PLM. Just when done from the AP's.

 

I have a pigtail and a new 2472DWH. I plugged them into the outlet where the PLM is and no love (well, it works manually to turn a lamp on/off). The "Start Linking" window stays open for about 2 seconds and then closes. I tried the "New Insteon Device" option and it failed.

 

The log follows:

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:40:00 PM : [ Time] 17:39:59 0(0)

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:49:54 PM : [ Time] 17:50:00 0(0)

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:57:06 PM : ---- Initializing the linked devices ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:57:06 PM : ---- All Linked Devices are now initialized ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:57:06 PM : ---- Initializing the linked devices ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:57:06 PM : ---- All Linked Devices are now initialized ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:57:06 PM : [All ] Writing 0 bytes to devices

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:57:06 PM : [All ] Writing 0 bytes to devices

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:12 PM : ---- Initializing the linked devices ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:12 PM : ---- All Linked Devices are now initialized ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:12 PM : ---- Add remaining devices ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:12 PM : [iNST-TX-I1 ] 02 62 1D 0E 15 0F 0D 00

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:12 PM : [uNKNOWN ] 02 4C

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:21 PM : [iNST-TX-I1 ] 02 62 1D 0E 15 0F 0D 00

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:30 PM : [iNST-TX-I1 ] 02 62 1D 0E 15 0F 0D 00

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:34 PM : ---- All Remaining Device Added ----

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:34 PM : [All ] Writing 0 bytes to devices

 

Sat 12/29/2012 05:59:54 PM : [ Time] 18:00:01 0(0)

[dgeary]

Just as a point of curiousity, is the 4-tap test supposed to work when done from the PLM? Because it does nothing when done from the PLM. Just when done from the AP's.

 

Apparently I was wrong about that. I just tried the 4-tap test from the PLM again, and I get flashing green on the AP's, but I get a flashing red light on the 2477S 10 times. What does this mean?

[LeeG]

The 4 tap Set button test should work from the PLM. If it is not in range of specific Dual Band device there will be no reaction by that device.

 

A Red blinking LED for an Access Point means the AP is on the same 120v leg as the Dual Band device where the Set button was pressed 4 times. The 2477S User Guide indicates a Red blinking LED means the RF signal is being received and the device is on the same 120v leg.

 

Regarding the Event Trace, that indicates the PLM is not working. A Serial command is issued but the PLM did not echo the command back. Does Tools | Diagnostics | PLM Info/Status indicate the PLM is connected. If showing connected suggest doing a factory reset of the PLM and a Restore Modem (PLM). If the Event Trace continues to show no echo messages and the PLM shows Connected the PLM is defective.

[dgeary]

I already did a factory reset on the PLM. The PLM has always seemed a little wonky to me. Sometimes when you plug it in, the green LED doesn't light. Unplug it and plug it right back in, and it lights up. I can make the light go out with even the slightest wiggle. I had tried the 4 tap test on the PLM before with no success... tried it again today and got an actual test... sometimes you think it's just you doing something wrong, but I think it's time to call this device defective.

 

Thanks again for your help, and I'll resurface once I have a replacement PLM.

[Brian H]

I would call the Insteon Gold Line Support and explain your findings.

I feel you have a bad PLM and I think they will also agree.

Slightly moving or tapping a PLM should not make the Green LED go On and Off.

Along with the intermittent connections and results.