Suffering from X10 problems?  This article will provide some insight

Possible Cause:

Some fluorescent lights can create electrical 'noise' on the mains when they're on.  Thus, an X10 Receiver (such as an AM12) may be able to detect a received X10 ON command to turn on the light, then once the fluorescent  light is on, further X10 commands may not be detectable in all the electrical noise.

Resolution #1 - Change the light

One option is simply to change the fluorescent light.  If your existing fluorescent light appears to be flickering in brightness, then chances are its getting a little old and generating electrical noise.  Switching it to a new fluorescent light may solve the problem.

Resolution #2 - Install a Filter

Another option is to install a Filter Module between your X10 Receiver and the fluorescent light.  This will suppress the noise generated by the light from affecting the X10 Receiver:

If your X10 Receiver is a plug-in module (such as an AM12), then use a plug-in Filter (such as an FM10). 

If your X10 Receiver is a wired module (such as an AW12), then use a wired Filter (such as an FD10).

Possible Cause:

Some 12v halogen transformers (most commonly of the older types) may emit a buzzing sound when their input voltage is reduced (such as when attempting to dim the lights).

Resolution #1 - Use the DIN-mounted Light Module

If you are using any X10 Receiver other than an LD11, then this may be the cause of the buzzing.  X10 Receivers such as the LM12W, LW12, DAIX10, etc are not designed for handling 12v halogen transformers.  However, the LD11 is a robust unit that can show positive results when the others can't.  If the larger DIN-size packaging is not an option, try changing your X10 receiver to be one of these instead.

Resolution #2 - Change the transformer

An option is to change the 12v transformer being used.  Some older types simply weren't designed to handle being dimmed; newer models are vacuum impregnated (so that the laminations within are tightly packed to minimize/eliminate a buzz from occurring).

Resolution #3 - Use an Appliance Module

If the LD11 is unsuitable for what ever reason, then another alternative is to use an appliance Module instead.  If you're happy to sacrifice the ability to dim your halogen lights, then this would be a viable solution, as Appliance Modules use an inbuilt relay to switch an appliance ON & OFF.  Suggested products are the the AW12 or the AD10.

Possible Cause:

There are a few reasons why this could be occurring.  The following solutions should be considered in this order:

Resolution #1 - Try different power points

Sometimes the wiring in a power point may have become loose (so that it only works when an appliance draws enough power that it arcs inside), thus although an appliance may work in it, X10 may not.  Try the following:

plug your X10 Controller and X10 Receiver into a double-power point (or use a double-adaptor or a power board on a single power point).  Try controlling the Receiver with the Controller.

put the X10 Controller and X10 Receiver into different power points around the home (preferably power points that are closest to your outside electrical switch box). 

If this does solve the issue, either don't use X10 devices from that power point or consider having an electrician fix the wiring in that power point.

Resolution #2 - Check products are working

Does you X10 Receiver not function anywhere in the house? The next test needs to rule out a faulty unit.  If you have more than one X10 Controller or X10 Receiver, use them in the same power points/wiring joints to determine if your suspected X10 products are operational.  For example, if you're using an X10 Controller and an X10 Receiver, try using a different X10 Controller to test your X10 Receiver, and a different X10 Receiver to test your X10 Controller.

If you are able to verify that an X10 device is faulty, and the item is under warranty, please contact us.

If you do not have other X10 units to compare with, or the item is working in at least one position in the home, then considered the further resolutions.

Resolution #3 - Track down noisy appliances

Find out if X10 signals are being suppressed in the home by any appliances/equipment which may be causing electrical noise.  Switch OFF all of the following:

- fluorescent lights

- energy saver bulbs

- halogen lights

- Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS)

- Computers

- Televisions

- Air Conditioners

- Heaters

- Motorised equipment (eg: washing machine, dryer, dish washers, etc)

- Motorised Appliances (drills, mixers, etc)

Now test your X10 devices.  If they now work, systematically switch on each appliance back on, and re-test the X10 devices after each appliance.  This will allow you to track down which appliance may be causing electrical interference.  Once the appliance has been found, consider fitting a Filter Module (FM10) in between the appliance's power cord and the power point.  This will eliminate the noise from affecting the X10 signals on the mains of your home.

Possible Cause:

If you're able to get X10 to work in some places in the home, but not all, then try the following resolutions.  (Note however that X10 only has a maximum range of around 80m, so if the Controller and Receiver run through cabling that is approaching or longer than this, then the X10 signal will have diminished beyond detection).

Resolution #1 - Try different power points

Sometimes the wiring in a power point may have become loose (so that it only works when an appliance draws enough power that it arcs inside), thus although an appliance may work in it, X10 may not.  Try the X10 devices in other power points to see if they work.  If this does solve the issue, either don't use X10 devices from that power point or consider having an electrician fix the wiring in that power point.

Resolution #2 - Filter noisy appliances

Your home is segmented into several power and lighting circuits.  It is possible that X10 signals are being suppressed only one one power circuit by appliances/equipment causing electrical noise.  Switch OFF all of the following:

- fluorescent lights

- energy saver bulbs

- halogen lights

- Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS)

- Computers

- Televisions

- Air Conditioners

- Heaters

- Motorised equipment (eg: washing machine, dryer, dish washers, etc)

- Motorised Appliances (drills, mixers, etc)

Now test your X10 devices.  If they now work, systematically switch on each appliance back on, and re-test the X10 devices after each appliance.  This will allow you to track down which appliance may be causing electrical interference.  Once the appliance has been found, consider fitting a Filter Module (FM10) in between the appliance's power cord and the power point.  This will eliminate the noise from affecting the X10 signals on the mains of your home.

Resolution #3 - Filter entire circuits

If you find that there are several lights or appliances in your home that you do not wish to control with X10 but you have determined that they are causing too much electrical interference, you can have an electrician fit a Filter Module (FD10) into your switch box specifically for that circuit.  This will stop noise from that entire circuit from affecting other circuits in your home (note however that it also means X10 won't be able to cross from this circuit to any others - so you won't be able to fit an X10 Receiver to a light or appliance on this filtered circuit and expect to control it from an X10 Controller on another circuit).

Resolution #3 - Bridge Phases

Most homes only run on one phase of power - however, if your home is quite large or contains some powerful equipment, you may have two or three phases to your home (if your power cables are above ground, you can tell how many phases by how many cables run from the street to your home - excluding any phone cables).

If you have more than one phase, then these phases are not connected and thus X10 cannot cross from one phase to another.  The solution is to bridge the X10 signals.  The FD10 Filter Module is also a phase-coupler.  It needs to be installed by an electrician into your electrical switch box.  If you have 2 phases in your home, you will need 2 of these units; or 3 if you have 3 phases.  The instructions provided with the unit will show your electrician how to wire it up.  The FD10 will then allow X10 signals to bridge across your phases.

Resolution #4 - Test the RCD

If your home is aging several years, the Residual Current Detector (RCD) in your home may be getting noisy.  This device is a little box with a small blue (usually) test button, and a switch.  Its designed to detect current leakage in your home and switch off power when necessary.  However, the different power circuits in your home all run to this one device, so if it starts to become noisy, X10 signals will not be able to bridge across the circuits through it.  You may want to consider having an electrician test your RCD.  Have it temporarily shorted out (so that it plays no role) and test X10 in your home.  If X10 suddenly works, consider having the RCD replaced with a new one.

Resolution #5 - Have X10 tested professionally

If you are able to find an X10-qualified electrician, they will most likely have some X10 testing equipment to measure the X10 signal strength in your home, and track down the cause of the problem.

Possible Cause:

There are two main causes for a Wireless Video Sender not working - either physical interference (walls, metla, etc) or signal interference (other appliances at operating at the same frequency).  For the latter; all of our Wireless Video Senders (such as the GV45, GV70, GV80, PC2TV, DVDAW, etc) operate at a frequency of 2.4GHz.  If you have any other wireless devices in your home, chances are they also operate at 2.4GHz, and may cause interference.  The result will be that the transmitted video may not viewable, or submerged in interference lines.

Resolution #1 - Confirm on same channel

Firstly, confirm the devices are turning on (and that power lights come on), and that you have the correct transformers plugged into each unit.  Next, check that the Transmitter and Receiver are set to same frequency channels; locate the channel switch on both the Transmitter and Receiver and confirm that their channel numbers match.

Resolution #2 - Shorten Test Range

Firstly, try locating the Transmitter and Receiver directly next to each other.  To test them, you may need a portable video-source to temporarily relocate next to the Transmitter (such as a DVD player).  Check if the video can be viewed on the Receiver's connected TV:

If they do not work, either one/both of the devices are faulty, or another wireless device in the home is causing strong interference.

If they do work, then you've at least confirmed the devices are functioning, and that the problem is due to signal-range or signal-interference.  If possible, try slowly distancing the Transmitter and Receiver, a few metres at a time.  Try relocating the Transmitter or Receiver into adjacent rooms, and keep distancing them until the problem recurs.  The antenna on the Transmitter and Receiver should be facing each other and parallel.

If at a certain distance the signal dies, then chances are there is a physical interference, such as a wall.  Try moving the Transmitter or Receiver to different parts of the room (this can more easily be performed with an simple video extender cable).  Should this work, consider permanently locating the Transmitter or Receiver in that position as desired.

Resolution #3 - Change Frequency Channel

Since most wireless devices all operate at 2.4GHz, they are usually designed with a channel-selector (often with up to 4 channels provided).  This allows different devices to transmit at slightly different frequencies, to alleviate interference from one another.  Note - the Transmitter and Receiver must always be on the same channel, in order to operate.

So take your Wireless Video Kit and set the small channel-switch on both the Transmitter and Receiver to channel 1.  Then test the devices.  If there is still interference, increment the channel switch once on both the Transmitter and Receiver and repeat the test - continue doing this until either the video signal is clearly viewable, or until you run out of channel-positions.

Resolution #4 - Adjust Interfering Appliance

If you've tried setting the Transmitter and Receiver to all possible channels, then chances are you have multiple wireless devices in your home that are interfering.  Try switching off (unplug) all of the following:

- cordless phones

- Wifi (wireless internet)

- other wireless Audio/Video Senders

- wireless security cameras

- anything else in the home that may transmit at 2.4GHz

Now try testing your Transmitter and Receiver.  If they now work - systematically switch on each wireless appliance back on, and each time, test the Transmitter and Receiver again.  If you find an appliance that is causing the interference, check if that appliance has a channel-selector and trying changing its channel.  Note - this may cause it to interfere with another wireless appliance, but some wireless appliances can operate at the exact same frequency as others without any problems.  It's simply a matter of trial an error, to find a combination of what channel to put each wireless appliance on.

Note - if you switch off all wireless appliances and the problem still occurs, consider that your neighbour may have a strong-powered wireless appliance that is causing the interference.