Copyright © 2005 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved Automating and Integrating Residential Systems Presentation 3 – PLC Advantages and Shortcomings

2 Objectives At the end of this exercise, you will be able to:

3 Demonstrate how to turn on and off a single lamp from multiple points. Implement a virtual 3-way light using PLC technology. Discuss the unintended consequences of improper use of PLC.

4 Discuss the susceptibility of PLCC to electrical noise and explain how this problem is usually addressed. Explain why PLC modules on different phases of the house wiring may not be able to communicate and explain how to remedy the problem.

5 Discuss the feedback problem. Discuss the interference problem. Discuss the security problem.

6 About This Presentation Power-line carrier technology has brought another level of automation to our homes. Let’s look at what’s good and bad about power- line carrier devices.

7 X10 Addresses X10 has 256 unique addresses. But you can use more than 256 X10 devices. You can also use outlet strips.

8 X10 Costs You can pay lots or you can pay little. Shop around. Devices use the same standards.

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10 Electrical noise can be a problem to X10. The cure to this is a simple filter.

11 Remember VAC? Power transformer can block X10 signals. You may have to call an electrician.

12 Transformer can block X10 signals. 240 V appliances can pass X10 signals.

13 Being Neighborly? PLC signals can travel from house to house over the power lines.

14 Your X10 commands might control devices in your neighbor’s house. Cure - Install a noise block just before your circuit breaker.

15 Choose Your Own X10 Codes Use codes that your neighbors are not so apt to use. Stay away from codes A1 through B16. Use House Codes such as D, E, F, and G.

16 Wire - Use the Best Rule of Thumb -- always install the best that you can afford.

17 Don’t Call the Cops Too Often! Check your local police response guidelines. Call too often and it can cost you money.

18 Plug What to What? Plug an outlet strip into an X10 receiver. Do NOT plug an X10 receiver into a filter or outlet strip.

19 Dogs, Cats, and Such Consider buying animal immune sensors. These sensors are rated for pets between 25 and 100 pounds.

20 This way you can create a pet alley.

21 Clickity-Clack Appliance Modules can make noise when they activate and deactivate.

22 Controlling Water You can use X10 to turn water on and off. Be sure to turn the water off before you start hooking things up.

23 Water Sensors A water sensor can indicate a leak and warn you of impending disaster.

24 Thermostats Some thermostats simply replace your existing thermostat. Other must be connected to a telephone line or a home computer. The TX15 is an X10 thermostat.

25 The Wall Display Unit mounts to the wall. It has pushbuttons. It connects to the Control Unit. It also connects to the X10 interface and a 12 VDC power source.

26 The TX15 uses four DIP switches to set X10 House Codes. It uses eight DIP switches in all. Using binary code (the switch is on or off), the switches correlate to various House Codes.

27 Using a Computer Hardware – You will need at least two pieces of hardware to give commands to your X10 devices: a computer and an X10 controller.

28 You normally will leave your computer on all the time. But, if you can turn your computer off and still have X10 control. A CM11A connects between your computer’s serial port and a wall outlet. But, you cannot control any X10 devices by way of the Internet while your computer is off.

Copyright © 2005 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved Automating and Integrating Residential Systems End