X10-2 Micro Appliance modules – evaluation

submission by Marcus Warrington – A few weeks ago, on the UKHA email listing , we were going over the X10^2  Micromodules that are offered from Kevin Lo in Hong Kong (via eBay). There was some discussion over their capability to be utilized with latched as well as short-lived switches, with the result being that they did work with short-lived switches.

Given this information, I bought a couple of the “dual appliance modules” which for £24.99 each seemed like a absolute bargain (that’s £12.49 per appliance device!). The intent was to utilize one to replace a couple of AD10 modules that manage our dining space lights, as I’m ill of the loud “Clunk” that they make whenever we switch the lights on or off. The other was to be utilized to try as well as have the cooker hood lights linked to the primary kitchen area lighting.

The modules were bought by means of Kevin’s shop on eBay, as well as shown up 2 days later .. wow, 2days from Hong Kong to the UK that’s quicker than a few of own our domestic post! They drawn in no import task or VAT so the final expense was just the £24.99 per system plus £6.99 postage.

The module has two grub screw style connections along the top for online as well as Neutral feeds, together with a additionally two screws for linking changed online to Appliance1 as well as Appliance2. There are likewise three short wires, Red, Blue as well as Black that emerge from the rear of the module casing. By shorting Red to Black or Blue to Black  Appliance 1 as well as 2 can be switched.  These wires are about 5 inches long as well as low VOLTAGE only, being powered internally by the module. They must NOT be linked to the mains online (or Neutral) like a common LD11 or AD10, which utilizes high voltage to find the switch state.

This most likely wouldn’t make a great deal of difference if you were installing them in the backbox behind the switch (as is their meant location), considering that the switch would just be detached from the typical high voltage wires as well as then the low voltage wires from the module would be linked directly to the switch. This does nevertheless indicate that you requirement a online as well as Neutral feed to power the appliance module as well as a additionally two return wires to feed the appliances i.e. 2 length of Twin&Earth cable. This would be unusual in a lot of UK homes as the builder would most likely have just utilized a 3 core cord instead (two changed online wires as well as a typical online feed).In my situation this was a bigger issue since I wished to home the module in a remote consumer box ,where the AD10 currently was. I had previously pulled  a single length of twin & earth cable, for every AD10, from the ceiling increased to the consumer unit. This  diverted the “switching live” to the AD10  along the black cable as well as then returned the actual “live” on the red wire.

This indicated that I only had one cable for the switch as well as the module needed two. considering that the modules changing circuit is all low Voltage I made a decision to disconnect the earth cable from the home earth loop as well as utilize this as the second wire… not suitable however at least it made the job possible. note that both the ceiling increased as well as the AD10 are still linked to the home earth loop, it is just the earth cable in the additional T&E that was re appropriated.Having wired whatever up I hit one more issue which I will go over later. during investigation of this issue however, I altered the short-lived light switch to a typical latching style. utilizing the typical latching style switch the micromodule worked perfectly. The module was essentially silent in operation, gone was the loud clunk of the AD10, replaced with a barely audible click… as well as when the consumer system door was shut I couldn’t even hear that!The modules do not have any type of House/Unit choice dials like the LD11’s or AD10’s instead they requirement to have their House/Unit code set electronically. This includes pressing a little configuration button on the system as well as then sending the needed home Code as well as system Code as X10 commands with an X10 transmitter. You can likewise send an “All Lights ON” or “OFF” command to set the module as much as respond to or neglect “All Lights On” commands.

Now, onto the issue I pointed out earlier. The switch would work fine when linked to a typical latching style switch however not when linked to a short-lived style switch. After much head scratching as well as cursing I emailed Kevin Lo, who contacted his R&D department. After couple of days Kevin got back to me with the poor news… the double appliance modules do NOT work with short-lived switches. This is in spite of the handbook stating that they do.

The single appliance modules DO work with short-lived switches.. however only with “Normally Closed” style switches as well as a bit of reconfiguration of the wiring.

Install the One tons Appliance Micro Module at Ceiling ( or near the Lamp )

Connect hole 1 to Lamp – link hole ‘N’ link the Neutral cable – link hole ‘L’ link the cable from wall Switch

Install the typical close short-lived wall switch at the back box – link one hole to the online cable – link the other hole to the cable going to the Micro Module (That indicates utilize the short-lived wall switch to manage the power supply to Micro Module)

Press the configuration button to put the Micro Module in “Setup” mode

Send X10 “Bright” Command – this puts the module into short-lived switch mode

So if the Micro Module is on as well as you now press the short-lived wall switch , it cut the power momentarily to the Micro Module as well as it will turn OFF. If the micro module is OFF as well as you press the short-lived wall switch once again the micro module will turn ON

Throughout all this investigation Kevin’s client support has been absolutely amazing as well as having now well established exactly how these modules work as well as that they are not appropriate for my application he has issued a full  refund (including all postage costs).

If, provided the above info, the modules ARE appropriate for you then I have absolutely no issue completely recommending Kevin as a supplier.

Pros

Tiny size

Barely audible relay.

Two appliances modules in one unit

Excellent signal to noise ratio

Cheap!

Excellent client service

Low voltage changing wires*

Cons

No handbook setup, have to program digitally needing a transmitter

Low voltage changing wires*

No short-lived switches, only latching style (on double modules)

Requires a neutral connection

* low Voltage *may* be an advantage or downside depending upon your specific scenario www.x10.hk

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