Hello AT,
Is anyone familiar with X-10 systems that automatically control your house systems like light switches, outlets and appliances? We are thinking of getting a system but it travels through your house's electrical wiring and were wondering if it would work in an apartment.
thanks, Ann
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This definitely should work in an apartment.... it's like a cordless phone. Whether or not it's actually useful and not just a toy is another thing.
I have used x-10 extensively in the past, and it's a great technology. There are a couple of caveats though. First off, certain types of lighting (fluorescent, and some low-voltage halogen) doesn't play well with some x-10 hardware, and can make buzzing sounds. Secondly, depending on your apartments wiring, you may have different circuits in your apt connected to different poles of the building wiring, in which case you just have to have transmitters in that part of the apartment as well as receivers. Insteon is a newer version of x10, and addresses most of these problems. Check out www.smarthome.com for a myriad of products and information.
I have several X-10 outlets and dimmers and lamp modules I used in my last apartment and my current condo.
They work fine for me. But I agree with Joey and your mileage may vary.
What I really like about them is the ability to have macros.
For example when I press the "watch a DVD" button on my (Harmon Kardon TC30) remote control, one of the things it does is fire off an X-10 macro to set appropriate lighting. I also have time-based macros, and activity based ones.
They're way more than just toys - depending on how you use them.
wow that Ann. What a great poster!
They work great. No interference at all. I've actually switched out my outlets and light switches to take advantage of this. The plug-in units work just as well.
The city version of the proveerbial garagedoor opener. Wouldn't it be cool if it turned out you could control your entire building this way!
I've used them in the past with little complications. While there are better solutions out there, for those of us in an apartment where re-wiring is frowned upon....they are tough to beat until newer standards come down in price.
I use a dedicated Apple MacMini in my place as a dedicated music/video/etc server as well as to control my X10 devices. I can also control them using my cell phone via bluetooth to turn on/off devices as well as set macros based on time and proximity (ie when I leave the apt., all the lights turn off, when I return they come on based on time). Check out Salling Clicker here - http://www.salling.com/Clicker/ + Indigo http://www.perceptiveautomation.com/indigo/clicker_info.html
I have used X10 a fair amount, but am switching over to Insteon. I love automating lighting.
The X-10 control system is a "power line" control system, meaning that the signals telling the devices to turn On, Off, or Dim are transmitted through the existing 120v power wires in your apartment. Wile this makes this system simple to install (Any outlet in the apt will work, given it's not on an isloated circuit panel), there are a couple of issues us apartment dwellers should be aware of: First, these devices really work best when you have "clean" power in your apt- i.e. lights don't dim when other major appliances turn on or off. In some instances building elevators or larger motor loads can cause enough of a dip or spike in the building system power to cause the X-10 device to think it's getting a singal to turn on or off. Generally this is less of a problem in newer buildings where the power infastructure is designed to accomodate these momentary loads with plenty of spare capacity, but in older prewar buildings you may find that the electical loads in today's world may cause somewhat of a strain on distribution systems designed for households some 30 years ago. If you notice any momentary dimming of lights when your plug in (120v) window AC or microwave is turned on, or for any other unknown reason, you may want to test out the X-10 system before you adopt a whole home system to ensure these fluxuations in power don't affect the operation of these devices. If you find this to be a problem, you may want to consider "Radio Frequency" (RF) remote control devices that get their signals through the air, not the building wiring.
I also have X10 controlling the lighting in the last few places i've lived, and have no complaints. Its great to have, the only drawback I can think of for you is if you have another user in your general vicinty. I had an X10 battle with the neighbor below me where we were on the same channel, turning each others lights on and off. The RF Remote we were using was on the same channel and traveled far enough to affect each others setup. I ended up changing the channel (you have several to choose from) and that was that.