3. If the automation switch is dimming-enabled and is going to be controlling 400 watts or more,
do not place insulation around the wall box and consider using metal junction boxes. Dimmers
that control high loads will dissipate heat, which may be felt through the switch faceplate. Metal
boxes will more efficiently draw out the heat and spread it over all the surfaces of the box. By
keeping wall insulation a few inches from the box, free air will help move the heat away.
4. Install a whole-house surge suppressor. Adding a good whole-house surge protector at the
breaker will help protect against costly damage to the PLC components and other delicate electri-
cal equipment.
5. Install a PLC phase coupler (signal bridge) or coupler-repeater (amplifier) at the incoming elec-
trical service. A common problem with PLC signals is getting the signals between the two legs of
electricity that service the home. A coupler-repeater is recommended for homes of 3,000 square
feet or greater. Smaller homes will generally work well with a passive phase coupler.
6. Work with the electrician to isolate non-automation loads. Ask the electrician to place the non-
PLC carrying lines on one of the two incoming lines. Having the kitchen and laundry appliances
plus the heating systems on one phase will help keep potential noise off the signal-carrying lines.
He probably won't be able to accommodate 100% of the loads on one phase or another, but an
attempt should be made.
Glossary of Terms
PLC- Power Line Control
- A control signal that is embedded onto the electricity lines. X10 signals
are a form of PLC signals.
X10 Address
- The Address part of a PLC signal contains the House and Unit code. An Address
can be Unit codes 1 to 16 and House codes A - P. There are 256 total X10 addresses.
Examples of PLC Addresses are A-1, B-5, P-15, O-9.
X10 Command
- The Command is action part of a PLC signal. It tells the module what to do when
it sees its address. Examples of a command are ON, OFF, Bright, DIM, PREdim, All Light ON,
and All Units OFF. There are other rarely used commands, but these are the most common
ones.
Status & Status Request
- Some receivers, like SwitchLinc Timer, have the ability to report their
status when asked. These modules contain transmitters that can send signals. When a trans-
mitter sends a Status Request command, the module will reply with its status (On, Off, Predim
at some %).
Resume Dim Level
- If set, the SwitchLinc can come on to the level it was at before it was turned
off.
(Not used in non-dimmable products.)
PreDim Level
- One of 32 brightness levels the SwitchLinc can instantly (or slowly) change the
light’s brightness to a predefined brightness level.
(Not used in non-dimmable products.)
Scenes in SwitchLinc
- SwitchLinc Wall Switches can be set up to respond to multiple signals and
when received come onto a predefined brightness level all with one signal. One scene signal
from a KeypadLinc or any transmitter can instantly (within seconds) change the lighting mood
in your home.
Maxi Controller
- A transmitter that has separate buttons for the unit codes and the commands.
In some of the advanced set up functions for the SwitchLinc, it is necessary for only a unit code
to be sent. The X10 SC-503, Leviton 6320, Stanley 370-2549 are examples of Maxi-
Controllers. We recommend having a Maxi Controller to set up the SwitchLinc Timer.
X10 Keypress
- This is a signal that only contains the house and unit code WITHOUT a command.
The Maxi-Controller, some TouchLinc LCD controllers, and home automation interfaces can pro-
duce a keypress command.
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