Disabling the local control feature
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I have been reading through the X10 Forum and one of the posts really caught my attention.
One customer used X10 components to control TV time for the kids. As smart as kids are these days, this boy figured out a way to bypass Dad's X10 control.
Problem:
I installed several hardwired x10 receptacles and a central controller. they control the TV, computer and radio. when bedtime comes I turn off the modules.but now my kid has figured out a way around this .
if you turn off the switch on the surge bar and turn it back on,
or unplug and replug the the cord in the outlet the x10 resets, and power is restored...
(complete original post can be found here)
Cause:
This is caused by a circuit in the module that is called “local control”. Local control is a feature that allows the unit to be controlled locally - without an X10 controller - by removing the power and reapplying it.Solution:
There are two ways to disable "local control", one a bit more involved than the other. Remember, I don't give any guarantees here, everything you do with these tips you do at your own risk!1. Cutting the circuit responsible for "local control"
- Make sure your module is OFF and unplugged. Take of the cover.
- Cut the small wire link next to pin 7 on the integrated Circuit in the Appliance Module.
(Click picture for larger version)
2. Keeping a light in circuit
It is possible to disable the local control feature of the Appliance Module by plugging a "cube tap" into the Module then two items can be plugged into the same Module. Plug a 7 1/2 watt night light into one of the receptacles of the cube tap and the appliance you want to control into the other. When the Module is on, the appliance and night light will be on. When the Module is off, the appliance and the night light will be off. Now, even if you operate the power switch on the appliance, the night light is always "in circuit" so the Appliance Module's local control circuit is disabled.
Comments
A good response, unfortunately you provided the wrong schematic. The OP was talking about "hardwired x10 receptacles" (ie. SR227) and you provided a solution for an Appliance Module (AM486). Can you get a schematic for a SR227 for us?
The idea of using a "cube tap" wouldn't help in this case, since it would probably take the kid a total of 10 seconds to unplug the night light.
Posted by: Roger1818 | June 16, 2006 12:17 PM
Hi Roger!
Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately, I don't have a SR227 schmematic handy at this time. I will look into it.
The SR227 is a repackaged appliance module, so this should give some clue.
The second solution was not intented for the forum problem, but as an alternative for people that have problems with modules going ON/OFF on their own.
Greetings,
Marko
Posted by: Marko | June 16, 2006 01:06 PM
I just disabled local control on two SR227's today (16 July 2006) and verified that this
procedure works:
To disable local control on the SR227-C Supersocket, remove the 2 screws from the back of the
socket that enables one to remove the back cover, sliding the black and white wires through the
holes as the back cover is removed. The jumper for pin 7 of the 78570 IC is the small jumper
closest to the RF can transformer and pin 1 of the IC on the component side of the PC board.
Cut it and local control is disabled. The only other jumper on the component side of this PC
board is close to pins 16 and 17 on the other side of the IC close to where a smaller gauge
black wire comes out of the PC board in an area with lots of real estate. Do not cut this one.
Replace the back cover and the 2 screws holding it on and you're done!
Posted by: Doug Bube | July 16, 2006 12:32 PM
I disabled local control by cutting the jumper for pin 7 and verified it was disabled by testing with a conventional bulb in my lamp but when I put a compact fluorescent bulb (7 watt) in it still flickers/flashes when the appliance module is off. This trick must disable Local control sensing but not the delivery of the circuit test current. How can I stop that current from being sent to the bulb when the unit is off????
Posted by: Chris | August 2, 2007 05:02 PM
Anybody come up with a solution to the problem of compact fluorescent bulbs (CFB) flickering when connected to the SR227 wall outlet?
Plugging both a 7.5W nightlight and 15W CFB into the SR227 essentially elimiates the energy savings. I might as well use a 25W incandescent bulb and not disable Local Control.
Posted by: Ron | October 8, 2007 03:33 PM
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Posted by: sss | March 21, 2008 08:25 AM
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Posted by: Leslie Cole | November 13, 2008 03:10 AM
For the SR227 with CFLs you need to clip the lead of the 1N4004 Diode (The one connected to the 2.2K res and .01 cap on the AM486 schematic) to eliminate the flicker. This can be found near the corner of the circuit board where the black "line" wire is located. If the black wire is on your upper left, the .01 cap is just below it (blue on my SR227). Just to the right of the cap you will see the 1N4004. Just clip the lead at the top and U R done!
Posted by: Scott | December 22, 2008 04:57 PM
Thanks for the tip Scott - I was Googling half the night till I found that and with one quick clip I was back in business.
Posted by: Dan | January 13, 2009 01:33 AM