Currently i'm using a PMIX35 for measurements. Like i've said in other topics that the X10/A10 network in my house isn't reliable. So using a PMIX35 should identify the problems.
But i don't have a clue how to really measure the stuff. I would think that if i use 5 Volt to send a command, a low "latest voltage" isn't good, right? But what are really the values i need to get.
The homeseer server is in the "meterkast" with an CTX35 connected to it. When trying to send an ON command to a DAIX12 in the living room, it would not respond. Connecting the PMIX35 in the same socket next to the CXT35 i get these results:
Vlt1 = 5017
Rs1 = 51
Imp = 2,6
Using the homeseer server to send the command to the CTX35:
Vlt1 = 3729
Rs1 = 54
Vlt2 = 3716
Rs2 = 65
Imp = 2,6
Placing the PMIX35 in a socket where the DAIX12 is also directly connected with it and sending the ON command from my homeseer server i do get these values:
Vlt1 = 102 (so that is 0,12 Volt)
Rs1 = 51 (so that is 0,051 Volt)
Vlt2 = 102
Rs2 = 52
Imp = 4,5
If i initiate the same ON command from the PMIX35 i get these results:
Vlt1 = 4950
Rs1 = 58
Imp = 4,5
Does that mean that i lost about 4,7 Volt somewhere or do i have to check for something else? And how can i identify which connected device is the problem? What is the difference in using a CTX35 and checking every outlet until the DAIX12 response and using the PMIX35?
How to measure with PMIX35
How to measure with PMIX35
I would love to see a howto on this 
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How to measure with PMIX35
somewhere ( i think on the eaton site) is a manual how to read the test results but i can't find it so quickly
found it: http://www.xanurahome.nl/installateur// ... %20001.pdf rest of the manuals can be found here http://www.xanurahome.nl/Productinforma ... fault.aspx
found it: http://www.xanurahome.nl/installateur// ... %20001.pdf rest of the manuals can be found here http://www.xanurahome.nl/Productinforma ... fault.aspx
How to measure with PMIX35
Looking at this logfile (did a "poll devices" within Homeseer with the CTX35. An PMIX35 on the same outlet):
How can i track down the causes? Can i conclude that A03/A04/A05 have problems within the network?
A03/A04 (DAIX12) are using the same null wire in the livingroom. A07 (SAIX12) is in the bed room. Can i conclude that all these devices are using the same null wire? and a device which is using the same null wire that is causing the problems?
And for the complete picture, the validation part:
Code: Select all
3/23/2009 8:17:55 PM S A09 4750 52 A09 4759 52 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:17:55 PM S ASRQ 4761 51 ASRQ 4758 54 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:17:56 PM S A09 2094 65 A09 2087 67 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:17:56 PM S ASOF 2098 60 ASOF 2096 59 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:17:59 PM S A06 4734 66 A06 4731 61 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:17:59 PM S ASRQ 4753 56 ASRQ 4751 55 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:00 PM S A06 1182 64 A06 1179 67 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:00 PM S ASOF 1187 55 ASOF 1186 56 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:03 PM S A10 4737 53 A10 4737 56 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:03 PM S ASRQ 4748 47 ASRQ 4755 49 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:04 PM S A10 2327 51 A10 2327 49 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:04 PM S ASOF 2327 52 ASOF 2326 49 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:07 PM S A07 4746 57 A07 4736 54 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:07 PM S ASRQ 4732 68 ASRQ 4728 70 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:08 PM S A07 343 74 A07 345 73 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:08 PM S ASOF 328 84 ASOF 329 86 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:11 PM S A08 4734 77 A08 4716 81 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:12 PM S ASRQ 4719 91 ASRQ 4713 90 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:12 PM S A08 2051 83 A08 2052 80 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:12 PM S ASOF 2044 85 ASOF 2045 80 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:15 PM S A05 4723 70 A05 4707 65 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:15 PM S ASRQ 4759 41 ASRQ 4757 55 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:23 PM S A04 4736 60 A04 4726 60 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:23 PM S ASRQ 4753 45 ASRQ 4755 48 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:24 PM S A04 91 60 A04 94 57 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:24 PM S ASON 104 46 ASON 104 45 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:27 PM S A03 4723 73 A03 4714 74 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:27 PM S ASRQ 4750 54 ASRQ 4753 54 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:28 PM S A03 103 72 A03 103 72 4.4 No Echo
3/23/2009 8:18:28 PM S ASON 123 54 ASON 115 52 4.4 No Echo
A03/A04 (DAIX12) are using the same null wire in the livingroom. A07 (SAIX12) is in the bed room. Can i conclude that all these devices are using the same null wire? and a device which is using the same null wire that is causing the problems?
And for the complete picture, the validation part:
Code: Select all
Module Tx OFF Tx ON Min Lvl Max Lvl Noise Imp Result
A01 Not Found
A02 Not Found
A03 2452 2459 84 134 65 4.4 Failed
A04 3524 2959 91 141 49 4.4 Failed
A05 Not Found
A06 2525 2454 1165 1208 70 4.4 Passed
A07 2511 2507 319 358 51 4.4 Passed
A08 2473 2481 2041 2083 55 4.5 Passed
A09 2470 2518 2080 2115 52 4.4 Passed
A10 2515 2530 2304 2347 64 4.4 Passed
How to measure with PMIX35
Starting with the pmix35 and checking tyour x10 network will generate a lot of data.
This is my approach of testing a X10 network including some recommendations feel free to add comments.
Understand your home 230V network number of groups and how the wiring is distributed in the house so getting some ideas how far each outlet is located from the switching cabinet (meterkast) and belonging to which group.
It important to understand your X10 network where are the X10 devices located on the 230V network and again how far from the meterkast. Also to understand which X10 device is mainly a transmitter and which X10 device will receive X10 signals.
Suggestion to make a kind of spider map (plattegrond) with the meterkast in the centre and the electrical wiring coming out. Plot in this map the locations of the outlets, the X10 devices and equipment may be causing extra X10 signal lost. Specifying also the transmit / sending relationship by making dotted lines with arrows.
Testing procedures:
Make a routine/macro on the HCB or Homeseer to generate periodically an alternated X10 on / off signal for a free X10 address. The signal should be generated in the switching cabinet (meterkast)
Turn on all the suspected equipment in your home causing may be X10 signal lost
Collect the signal strength of the generated test X10 command with the PMIX35 on all your outlets special the ones and the end of each group. You may document the readings and may consider the following actions:
Readings above 200mV dont need any action.
Readings between 100-200mV may need some action depending on what kind of X10 devices are close to it and if a reliable operation is required.
Readings below 100mv will require some action.
Recommendations
Preference to place transmitting X10 devices in the meterkast (like HCB, Homeseer, RF / IR receivers) so central in the 230V network.
This is likely not possible for some X10 devices like IMX10 , X10 control panel, IR transmitters but pay extra attention to those signals and check if the signal will reach the end of each group in the 230V network
Try to avoid a X10 sender located at the end of one group and sending its signal to a X10 receiver at the end of another group. If so do an additional signal strength measurement on those situation and below 100mV start using a repeater.
If the strength of the generated X10 test-signal at an outlet is below 100mV and X10 devices are closed to this location - use a X10 repeater.
Use a mobile repeater so you can place it in any outlet and check the effect.
You may placed the repeater central in the meterkast or place it somewhere halfway in a group where the reading was below 100 mV.
You may use filters for the devices killing the X10 signal but repeaters will be more effective.
Henk
This is my approach of testing a X10 network including some recommendations feel free to add comments.
Understand your home 230V network number of groups and how the wiring is distributed in the house so getting some ideas how far each outlet is located from the switching cabinet (meterkast) and belonging to which group.
It important to understand your X10 network where are the X10 devices located on the 230V network and again how far from the meterkast. Also to understand which X10 device is mainly a transmitter and which X10 device will receive X10 signals.
Suggestion to make a kind of spider map (plattegrond) with the meterkast in the centre and the electrical wiring coming out. Plot in this map the locations of the outlets, the X10 devices and equipment may be causing extra X10 signal lost. Specifying also the transmit / sending relationship by making dotted lines with arrows.
Testing procedures:
Make a routine/macro on the HCB or Homeseer to generate periodically an alternated X10 on / off signal for a free X10 address. The signal should be generated in the switching cabinet (meterkast)
Turn on all the suspected equipment in your home causing may be X10 signal lost
Collect the signal strength of the generated test X10 command with the PMIX35 on all your outlets special the ones and the end of each group. You may document the readings and may consider the following actions:
Readings above 200mV dont need any action.
Readings between 100-200mV may need some action depending on what kind of X10 devices are close to it and if a reliable operation is required.
Readings below 100mv will require some action.
Recommendations
Preference to place transmitting X10 devices in the meterkast (like HCB, Homeseer, RF / IR receivers) so central in the 230V network.
This is likely not possible for some X10 devices like IMX10 , X10 control panel, IR transmitters but pay extra attention to those signals and check if the signal will reach the end of each group in the 230V network
Try to avoid a X10 sender located at the end of one group and sending its signal to a X10 receiver at the end of another group. If so do an additional signal strength measurement on those situation and below 100mV start using a repeater.
If the strength of the generated X10 test-signal at an outlet is below 100mV and X10 devices are closed to this location - use a X10 repeater.
Use a mobile repeater so you can place it in any outlet and check the effect.
You may placed the repeater central in the meterkast or place it somewhere halfway in a group where the reading was below 100 mV.
You may use filters for the devices killing the X10 signal but repeaters will be more effective.
Henk
How to measure with PMIX35
Henk,
Thanks alot. This information is very very usefull. I shall follow your suggestions. One thing i can't understand: You talk about an X10 filter when the output is killing the signal. You mean with "killing the signal"= below 200 mV? What should the noise indicator be?
Doesnt a repeater strengthen the noise? like with cable television and a signal booster.
Thanks alot. This information is very very usefull. I shall follow your suggestions. One thing i can't understand: You talk about an X10 filter when the output is killing the signal. You mean with "killing the signal"= below 200 mV? What should the noise indicator be?
Doesnt a repeater strengthen the noise? like with cable television and a signal booster.