Getting started with X10
If your anything like me you are always looking for some sort of IT project. Recently I started messing around with X10 and here is a summary of what I have learned.
X10 is home automation technology that uses your homes electric system to send/receive commands. X10 old but still the most popular home automation technology. It has retained its popularity mostly due to the fact the it is a open standard. But the technology definitely has its problems, like it isn't 100% reliable.
Here are some wiki links to X10 and X10's competitor technology:
- X10
X10 is old and sometimes problematic but the most popular.
- Insteon
Insteon backwards compatible with X10 but uses more a mesh technology. It is proprietary and more expensive than X10.
- Z-Wave
Proprietary wireless home automation.
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UPB
Similar to X10 but not nearly as popular.
X10 Pitfalls
X10 Summary
Simply put, X10 is made up of Controllers and Modules. Controllers broadcast signals to modules through your homes electric wiring and the modules change state when they receive a command addressed to them (ON/OFF). There is also a RF standard for X10 controllers, meaning that you can issue X10 commands using a RF remote control.
Signal Loss/Filters
X10 has a bad reputation for not working. The main reason it doesn't work is because there is noise on the line. You get noise on the line when you have something plugged causes interference, like a TV, Fridge, or Computer. In order to ensure reliable signal transmission you need filters on these devices.
Here are some links to some filters:
http://www.smarthome.com/1626/FilterLinc-Plug-In-X10-Noise-Filter/p.aspx
http://www.smarthome.com/1626-10/FilterLinc-10-Amp-Plug-In-X10-Noise-Filter/p.aspx
http://www.smarthome.com/4845ACF/15-Amp-Plug-In-Noise-Filter-AF120/p.aspx
Reaching all Modules/Phase Coupler
If your in North America (and most likely other countries) you might find it is impossible to control all of your modules from one controller, from one location. In short your 120V is divided into two phases and signals from controllers plugged into one phase cannot "jump" to the other phase.
You can read more about it here:
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Phase_Coupling
The easiest solution I have found in a Phase Coupler that plugs into your dryer outlet. Below is the link:
http://www.smarthome.com/4816A2/SignaLinc-Plug-In-Phase-Coupler/p.aspx
Computer Driven Home Automation
Controllers
If you get into X10 and get a collection of modules working the next step is of course to hook it up to your computer. The first thing you are going to need to do is connect your computer to your X10 system. There are several different components that can do this. Here is a short (most likely incomplete) list.
Internet searches return many more results. Most of the controllers that come back are USB Insteon controllers that are backwards compatible with X10.
Software
There are many, many different home automation packages. Here is a short list of some of the major names:
I personally use X10Server. It has the basic functionally I was looking for. Client/Server app and it allows you to schedule jobs in a ini file. And it is pretty simple to use. The only setback is that it is difficult to get running. It has very specific JVM requirements.
Conclusion
Home Automation is very time consuming, technically complicated, and somewhat expensive. Despite a lot of hard work X10 systems can still become completely unreliable if you plug a appliance that creates a lot of noise on the line. But if you enjoy messing around with technology and look at these types of projects as entertainment it can be pretty fun!
Hopefully you have found this guide useful.