About X10 Home Automation

Home Automation is here. It's highly affordable, it's simple to use and it's fun.

Campad Electronics is a supplier of home automation technology. Our technology is flexible enough to suit the requirements of every one's needs.

You can control your lights, security system, heating and cooling units, and other appliances from a single remote control, though your home or office computer, even by voice. That's right, a single voice command of "dim living room lights to 30 per cent" will have the desired result.

The security conscious need not worry again. Lights and sound can be timed to operate as if someone is home, even when you're on holiday. A video link to your work computer enables you to keep an eye on your home and children, while you're miles away.

The elderly and disabled will feel safer and more secure. A simple press on a X10 keychain remote could turn on all the lights in the house and call a family member or neighbour.

The whole system can be as simple or elaborate as you wish.

X10 technology will change the way you live, leaving you time and energy to enjoy all the good things in life. That's if you can stop playing with the X10 system.

It's a lifestyle choice. It's lifestyle technology.

How does it work?

Automate your Home

Our technology is based on the X-10 Power Line Carrier (PLC) signalling language that enables control signals to be transmitted anywhere in your house over your existing electrical lines. Simply plug in a controller (transmitter) at one electrical outlet and plug in a module (receiver) at any other outlet and you have remote and automated control of that module. This enables you to have the remote and automated control of lights and appliances from anywhere in your house.

SET-UP OF THE SYSTEM

The X-10 system consists of Controllers (X10 transmitters) and Modules/Receivers:

1. Controllers (transmitters)

Controllers (transmitters) send a signal on the power line to Modules (receivers) Controllers commonly used are the computer interface, touch screen, handheld remotes, wireless transmitters and the telephone interface.

2. Modules (receivers)

Modules (receivers) directly control the lights and appliances in your home. Modules are available in 3 types: plug-in (visible), wall switches (invisible) and in-line with the powerlines (invisible).

Each module/Receiver has a House Code ( a letter A-P) and a Unit Code (a number 1-16) that uniquely identifies it among 256 possible combinations. When a Module "hears" its unique code, it responds by turning ON, OFF, dimming or brightening the light, appliances, devices, etc.

THE ADVANTAGES OF X-10

The X-10 system is unique in the world of Home Automation because it uses the existing 240V powerline to communicate its signals and is simple and amazingly affordable:

• It is ideal for applications in existing houses
• NO extra wiring is necessary which means low-cost solutions
• Easy-to-install
• For simple applications no intelligent units are necessary which makes the system cheap and efficient
• For bigger applications Powerful Interfaces with easy-to-use software are available
• The X-10 system provides 2-Way communication with possibility of status-control because the X-10 system is widespread (over 5 million installations worldwide) the systems are manufactured on a large scale which results in low prices.
• Unlimited possibilities: switching, dimming, sunscreen control, integration with alarm systems etc.

X-10 APPLICATIONS

An X-10 system is very simple to install and immediately increases your convenience and security.

• Automatic control of interior/exterior lighting, as well as security lighting.
• Simulate occupancy in your house while you are away
• Control your devices with Radio Frequency Remote (works through walls)
• You can program your system to perform a sequence of actions like "All lights on" or "Morning mode" to manage your house by time schedule
• Wireless Switches make it possible to install switches at places where there are no wires. Also ideal for temporary installations.
• Adapting homes for the elderly or disabled people becomes easy and flexible. By using wireless remote controls they have everything controlled by a simple button.
• Economise your electrical costs by using the low-cost hours
• Automatic switching on sunrise, sunset or at any given time.
• The possibilities of the wireless X10 System are endless...

TECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR THE PROFESSIONAL

X10 transmissions are synchronised to the zero-crossing point of the AC power line. Power line interfaces provide 50Hz square wave with a max. delay of 100 microseconds from the zero crossing point to the AC power line. The maximum delay between signal envelope input and 120 KHz output bursts is 50 microseconds.

A binary 1 is represented by a 1 millisecond burst of 120 KHz, at the zero crossing point and a binary 0 by the absence of 120 KHz. These 1 millisecond bursts are transmitted three times to coincide with the zero crossing points of all three phases in a three phase distribution system.

X10 Home Automation FAQs