Remote Will Not Control Module
Question
Why won't my remote control my modules or wall switches?
Answer
To use an X10 remote control, you must have a transceiver module installed. The most common transceivers are the TM751 and RR501. The CM15A ActiveHome Pro computer interface can also be set to be a transceiver. Make sure you have set the remote, transceiver, and module being controlled to the same House Code. If you have a TM751 or RR501 transceiver, you should be able to use the remote to control a device plugged into the TM751.
If you are having difficulty controlling a module from a particular location, but can control it from other locations, or if the ability to control a particular module is intermittent, it is possible that the module in question and your controller are on opposite phases of your house wiring.
Most houses are fed from a 220 volt service, which is then split into two phases of 110 volts each in the circuit breaker panel ("breaker box"). The X10 signals, which are transmitted onto the house wiring on one phase, will normally travel across to the other phase through the breaker panel, pole transformer, etc. If, however, the data transmission is not making it from one phase of house wiring to the other, you may couple the signal between them by having a qualified electrician install a 0.1 microfarad, 240V AC or 600V DC capacitor across your 220 volt line from hot to hot, i.e. across any 220 volt breaker. Or, you can install a phase coupler (or phase bridge). They are available through an X10 dealer/installer listed on x10pro.com
Alternately, you may be able to solve the problem simply by moving the controller to another outlet. If the controller is plugged into the same outlet as a TV, its output may be reduced by electrical noise the TV transmits onto your house wiring. Moving the controller away from the interfering device into another outlet may resolve the issue.
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Key Topics: module, outlet, wiring, phase, electrical, noise, line, interference, circuit
Relates to: LM465, LM15A, LM14A, AM15A, AM486, AM466, WS467, WS4777, WS12A, WS13A