Switch Turns On But Not Off
Questions
Why does my Wall Switch Module turn on but not off?
The wall switch module is wired in series with the light bulb, meaning that the electrical signals have to pass through the filament of the bulb in order to complete the circuit. The reason you can get the wall switch module to turn on but not off is because the X10 signal has to pass through the lamp, and a hot lamp has a higher resistance than a cold lamp, therefore it takes a slightly stronger signal to turn a wall switch off than it takes to turn it on. If however you have a powerful enough signal, you would not notice the difference. Also, certain types of bulbs block the X10 signal.
The following types of bulbs should NOT be used with a WS467 or WS12A Wall Switch Module:
- Florescent bulbs
- Halogen Bulbs
- Sodium Vapor Bulbs
- Any kind of energy saver bulb (i.e. Sylvania Capsellite, GE Miser, etc.)
- Any kind of low voltage bulb
To control fluorescent fixtures, we recommend the use of X10 Non-dimming Decorator Wall Switch (WS13A) or X10 Pro Non-dimming Wall Switch (XPS3). Note that these versions require a neutral connection and are therefore recommended for installation only by a qualified electrician.
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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
Key Topics: neutral, ground, incandescent, wire, load, ballast
Relates to: WS467, WS4777, WS12A, WS13A