X10 Home Automation: Modules

By Anthony, September 28, 2009 1:03 pm

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x10 module

The last component of the X10 home automation system that I haven’t yet talked about is the receiver, or the module. Modules receive and carry out the commands sent via the controller. The obvious need for the receiver is that you need something to do the actual controlling of the light or appliance or whatever you are trying to automate. Like controllers, there are many types and variations of receivers, depending on the particular application.

If you know all this and just want to browse some products – we’ve got you covered. Skip to the end of this post for a listing of X10 modules.

What does an X10 module do?

Quite simply, the module is a receiver at the end of the listening chain. It listens to the powerline for any commands, and carries out instructions as it receives them. Those instructions are most likely on/off and bright/dim. Modules are in essence switches.

Why do you need receivers?

Since the receiver modules are what carries out the command in the end, you need them to power on or off the light or appliance it is connected to. If an “OFF” instruction is received, for example, it literally interrupts the power supply to the appliance – and restores the power when it receives the “ON” signal.

Types of modules in an X10 system

As you saw in X10 controllers, there are many types of devices that you can use, depending on what you are trying to do with your home automation. As far as modules are concerned, X10 offers them in several flavors, including (but certainly not limited to) lamp, appliance, and motion-activated.

Lamp modules, used mostly for incandescent or halogen lamps, are made specifically to control lights, and have to maintain wattage of bulbs within certain limitations set by the specific module – for example, a 60W module wouldn’t be able to handle a 100W bulb. Most are dim/bright capable, called dimming modules. These modules can be inline (hard-wired into the wiring and hidden someplace), screw-in adapters, or plug-in modules.

Appliance modules are a type of relay switch, which means that they have the ability to monitor and control loads of appliances. These appliances include fluorescent lights, ceiling fans, air conditioners, furnaces, tv’s, radios, etc. Relay or appliance module usually CANNOT dim devices, as reducing voltage can often burn out whatever device you are trying to “dim.” Appliance modules can be found as plug-in modules and in-line.

Rather than wait for a transmitted signal, motion sensor modules detect motion and then transmit a message to turn on appliances. While this isn’t strictly a module, these are often coupled with lamp modules. Motion detectors can be hardwired or wireless battery operated. These sensors also come in two types: outdoor (long-range) motion detector, and indoor motion detector.

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