SECTION 2: INFORMATION ON X10 COMPONENTS
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Manufacturers' numbers shown below are coded as follows:
X10: X-10 Powerhouse
LEV: Leviton Decora Electronic Controls
RS: Radio Shack Plug 'N Power
Prices are included (for the X10 model unless otherwise noted) from
Worthington as of 7/95 rounded to the nearest dollar to give you a
general idea. These prices are less than retail. These prices will not
be updated regularly so get a catalog from one of the suppliers listed
elsewhere (they're free).
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Intelligent Controllers, Computer and Telephone Interfaces
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COMPUTER INTERFACE (X10:PL513). Send only computer interface module.
COMPUTER INTERFACE (X10:TW523). $18 Semi-intelligent computer interface
to the power line, recommended for developers only. It plugs into an
outlet and allows a computer or microcontroller to talk and listen
directly to the X10 command codes on the AC line. It's roughly the size
of a lamp module. See details in Q109.
X10 COPROCESSOR (MARRICK) $115 (with cables, TW523, power supply) $49
(kit, board and parts, no TW523 etc) Intelligent computer interface. Two
way X-10 communication, serial (RS-232) interface, 4" x 5" PCB has
prototype area for expansion. No polling required, sends to computer
serial port when X10 activity is detected. LED indicators (receive
transmit error busy). Enhanced X10 command functionality: broadcast
messages such as ALL LIGHTS ON ALL HOUSE CODES and DIM TO LEVEL. Keeps
time since last power failure. Commands are all in standard ASCII.
MINI-TIMER (X10:MT522, RS:61-2670). $19 Battery backed up clock,
Functions: on or off at exact time or approximate time twice each day
for 4 modules. Manual control: off on, all lights on for 8 modules.
CLOCK RADIO TIMER (RS:61-2671). $40 AM/FM clock radio, battery back up.
Functions: on or off at exact time or approximate time twice each day
for 4 modules. Manual control: off on, all lights on for 8 modules.
Wake to FM, AM or beep alarm.
TELEPHONE INTERFACE (X10:TR551, RS:61-2692). $51 Answers phone, controls
10 modules from commands on remote DTMF phone
TELEPHONE TRANSPONDER (LEV:6325). $110 Answers phone, controls all 256
possible units for commands on remote DTMF phone, three digit access
code, confirms all commands with synthesized voice
HOME CONTROL INTERFACE (X10:CP290, RS:61-2617). $42 Battery backed up
clock, seven day cycle, 128 events set by computer connected to RS-232
interface, any house code, any unit codes. Manual control: units 1-8
for the base house code set on the unit, on or off. Comes with software
for any one of (not all) PC, Mac, Apple ][ or Commodore 64/128 and
appropriate serial cable. Computer can be turned off or disconnected
once the interface has been programmed and it continues on by itself.
DELUXE WALL MOUNTED PROGRAMMER (LEV:6311). 7-day scheduling for up to 63
program sequences, any 16 unit codes ON or OFF, has manual control feature
that doesn't affect the preprogrammed sequences, battery backup.
BASIC WALL MOUNTED PROGRAMMER (LEV:6312). Controls up to 4 unit codes, with
a maximum of 2 ON and 2 OFF codes for each unit, allows for SECURITY mode
like the two RS timers (ON or OFF happens during a 15-minute window). Has
manual control buttons, battery backup.
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Dumb Controllers, Transmitters and Switches
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MINI-CONTROLLER (X10:MC460, RS:61-2677). $8 Controls either units 1-4
or 5-8 (selectable) for any single house code. Functions: on, off, dim,
all lights on, all off. Connects to standard wall outlet.
MAXI-CONTROLLER (X10:SC503, LEV:6320, RS:61-2690). $16 Controls units
1-16 for any single house code. Functions: on, off, dim, all lights on,
all off. Connects to standard wall outlet.
SUNDOWNER (X10:SD533). $13 Same as MINI-CONTROLLER. Also will turn four
units on at sundown and off at sunup as determined by internal
photocell. Connects to standard wall outlet.
PHOTOCELL WALL MOUNT CONTROLLER (LEV:6308). Mounts in a round electric
box, sends ON commands to up to 4 unit codes at dusk or dark, sends OFF
commands at dawn or after a preset number of hours.
WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6319-4). $46 Turns any four consecutive
units on or off. Push button switches. Wired into rectangular wall box.
WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6319-4D). $46 Turns any three consecutive
units on, off or dim. Push button switches. Wired into rectangular wall
box.
WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6319-4A). $46 Turns any three consecutive
units on or off. Also provides ALL ON and ALL OFF commands. Push button
switches. Wired into rectangular wall box.
WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6319-2). $46 Turns any two consecutive
units on or off. Push button switches. Wired into rectangular wall box.
WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6319-2D). $46 Turns any unit on, off or
dim. Push button switches. Wired into rectangular wall box.
WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6319-2D). $46 Turns any unit on or off.
Push button switches. Wired into rectangular wall box.
WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6319-1A). $46 Provides ALL ON and ALL OFF
commands. Push button switches. Wired into rectangular wall box.
UNI-BASE WALL MOUNTED CONTROLLER (LEV:6400). Replacement for the older
6319 line of controllers, accepts the 1, 2 or 4 button face plates with LED
status lights. Neither the controller nor the face plates are compatible
the the 6319-series controllers! The switches have pre-printed labels with
plastic covers to protect the labels, or you can label them yourself.
Faces below are $10 each.
ONE BUTTON ON/OFF FACE (LEV:6400-1). Sends ON or OFF commands to one unit.
ONE BUTTON ALL ON/OFF FACE (LEV:6400-1A). Sends ALL LIGHTS ON and OFF.
TWO BUTTON ON/OFF FACE (LEV:6400-2). Sends ON or OFF to two units.
TWO BUTTON DIMMING FACE (LEV:6400-2). Sends ON, OFF, DIM, BRIGHT to one unit.
FOUR BUTTON ON/OFF FACE (LEV:6400-4). Sends ON or OFF commands to four units.
FOUR BUTTON ON/OFF ALL ON/OFF FACE (LEV:6400-4A). Sends ON or OFF commands
to three units, bottom button sends ALL LIGHTS ON or ALL LIGHTS OFF.
FOUR BUTTON DIMMING FACE (LEV:6400-4D). Sends ON or OFF commands to three
units, bottom button sends DIM or BRIGHT commands to the same 3 units.
WALL SWITCH (X10:WS467, RS:61-2683). $10 Replaces standard wall switch,
wired into rectangular wall box. Manual toggle of on or off. May be
locked in off position. Dims and brightens from remote controllers.
500W resistive max, 400 watts each in dual-gang box, 300 watts each in
triple-gang box.
WALL SWITCH 3-WAY (X10:WS477). $14 Same as standard WALL SWITCH, but for
use with three way switch (on/off at two or more locations).
WALL SWITCH 3-WAY REMOTE (X10:CS277). $6 Used with WALL SWITCH 3-WAY.
For on/off at two or more locations, one must be WALL SWITCH 3-WAY,
others must be WALL SWITCH 3-WAY REMOTE. One of these is included with
WS4777, but they are also available separately.
WALL SWITCH 3-WAY KIT (X10:WS4777, RS:61-2686). $14 Kit of WALL SWITCH
3-WAY (X10:WS477) and WALL SWITCH 3-WAY REMOTE. (not sure if this is
different from WS477)
WALL SWITCH MODULE (LEV:6291). $45 This is a cross between a wall switch
and an appliance module. It has an internal relay and a manual switch to
turn on and off loads other than incandescent lamps, 20A 120V maximum.
240V DOUBLE POLE WALL SWITCH MODULE (LEV:6371). Intended for pool
pumps, spa motors and heaters, and other large loads (2HP max).
Responds to ALL LIGHTS ON/OFF and ON/OFF commands. 240V 20A 60Hz.
3-WAY WALL SWITCH MODULE (LEV:6293). This is a cross between a wall
switch and an appliance module. It has an internal relay and a manual
switch to turn on and off loads other than incandescent lamps, 20A 120V
maximum. Can be wired in a 3-way or 4-way configuration (with additional
slave modules LEV:6294)
LOW VOLTAGE DIMMING SWITCH (LEV:6381). Same as standard WALL SWITCH,
but is rated to control ceiling fans, motors and magnetic transformers,
in addition to incandescent lights. 500W or 500VA maximum. Has a built-
in RFI filter.
LOW VOLTAGE 3-WAY DIMMING SWITCH (LEV:6383). Same as LEV:6381 switch
but is the 3-way version, using LEV:6294 for the slave units. Rated to
control ceiling fans, motors and magnetic transformers, in addition to
incandescent lights. 500W or 500VA maximum. Has a built-in RFI filter.
=========
Receivers
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APPLIANCE MODULE (X10:AM486, RS:61-2681). $10 Responds to any house code,
any single unit. Turns load (15A, motors up to 1/3 HP, 500W for lights)
either on or off. Two pin polarized.
APPLIANCE MODULE (X10:AM466, RS:61-2684). $11 Same as APPLIANCE MODULE
(X10:AM486), but three pin grounded.
SCREW IN LAMP MODULE (X10:SL575, RS:61-2566). $12 Same function as lamp
module (X10:465) but screws in between existing light fixture and bulb.
Controls up to 150 watts.
FIXTURE RELAY MODULE (LEV:6375). $50 This module does not plug into an
outlet, but must be wired into the circuit. It switches a relay that
handles 5A for incandescent or fluorescent lights. Responds to ON, OFF,
ALL LIGHTS ON, and ALL OFF commands.
DIMMING FIXTURE MODULE (LEV:6376). $44 Similar to FIXTURE RELAY MODULE
(LEV:6375) but has no relay and will dim up to 300W incandescent lights.
Responds to DIM and BRIGHTEN commands as well as ON, OFF, ALL LIGHTS ON,
and ALL OFF commands.
2400W DIMMING MODULE (LEV:6290). Similar to DIMMING FIXTURE MODULE
but controls up to 2400 watts (resistive). Doesn't say it's capable of
working with inductive loads like motors or fans. Responds to DIM and
BRIGHTEN commands as well as ON, OFF, ALL LIGHTS ON and ALL OFF commands.
LAMP MODULE (X10:LM465, RS:61-2682). $10 Responds to any house code, any
single unit. Turns incandescent light (300W max) on, off, or dim.
Reportedly melts if connected to anything else.
WALL OUTLET (X10:SR227, LEV:6227, RS:61-2685). $14 Similar to APPLIANCE
MODULE 15 A, 800W) but replaces standard wall outlet, wired into
rectangular wall box. One outlet is X10 controlled; other is always on.
WALL OUTLET DUPLEX (LEV:6280). Similar to WALL OUTLET, but both outlets
are controlled as a single unit. Does not respond to ALL LIGHTS OFF.
SINGLE WALL OUTLET (LEV:6297). Similar to WALL OUTLET, but only has one
controlled 15A outlet. Does not do local control sensing, and will not
respond to ALLL LIGHTS ON command.
SINGLE WALL OUTLET (LEV:6298). Similar to WALL OUTLET, but only has one
controlled 20A outlet. Does not do local control sensing, and will not
respond to ALLL LIGHTS ON command.
SINGLE WALL OUTLET (LEV:6296). Similar to LEV:6298 (single 20A outlet)
but it also responds to local control sensing.
WALL OUTLET 220V, 15A (X10:HD243, RS:61-2668). $16 Controls 220V
appliances (e.g. water heater) up to 15A, mono phase or split two phase,
standard North American wiring.
WALL OUTLET 220V, 20A (X10:HD245, RS:61-2669). $16 Same as WALL OUTLET
220V 15A but for up to 20A.
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Wireless
========
WIRELESS RECEIVER (X10:RR501, LEV:6314, RS:61-2608). $30 (LEV) Receives
X10 commands by radio signals from WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:RT504,
LEV:6313) and retransmits them into house wiring for any eight units.
Also has integrated appliance module.
WIRELESS RECEIVER (X10:TM751). $13 Receives X10 commands by radio
signals from WIRELESS TRANSMITTER and retransmits them into house wiring
for any two units. Also has integrated appliance module.
SMART RF REPEATER (X10:SR731). $64 Receives commands by radio signals
from any WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X-10 or SECURITY) and retransmits them
to any WIRELESS RECEIVER for any 16 units. Does not work with POWERMID.
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:RT504, LEV:6313, RS:61-2560). $13 Controls
units 1-8 or 9-16 for any house code by sending radio signals to a
WIRELESS RECEIVER (X10:RR501, LEV:6314).
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:KC674, RS:61-2565). $12 Turns any two units on
or off by sending radio signals to WIRELESS RECEIVER (X10:TM571 or
RR501), keychain size.
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:RW684, RS:61-2562). $12 Turns any two units on
or off by sending radio signals to WIRELESS RECEIVER (X10:TM571 or
RR501), surface mount.
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:RW694, RS:61-2664). $12 Turns any four units
on or off by sending radio signals to WIRELESS RECEIVER (X10:TM571 or
RR501), surface mount.
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:RW724, RS:61-2563). $12 Turns any three units
on, off or dim by sending radio signals to WIRELESS RECEIVER (X10:TM571
or RR501), surface mount.
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Security Systems
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WIRELESS SECURITY RECEIVER CONSOLE (X10:BR521, RS:61-2611). $110
Receives security commands from wireless transmitters (X10:DW534,
RS:61-2612, X10:SP544, X10:HT544, RS:61-2611, X10:SH624, X10:KF574) to
arm, disarm and trip it's 85dB siren, and flashes ALL LIGHTS ON and ALL
LIGHTS OFF commands to the house wiring when tripped. It also
retransmits commands from other wireless X-10 transmitters to the house
wiring for any 16 units. Supports 8 security unit codes, has a battery
backup, wall mount.
WIRELESS SECURITY RECEIVER & AUTODIALER (X10:PS561, RS:61-2610). $133
Receives security commands from wireless transmitters (X10:DW534,
RS:61-2612, X10:SP544, X10:HT544, RS:61-2611, X10:SH624, X10:KF574) to
arm, disarm and trip it's 95dB siren, flashes ALL LIGHTS ON and ALL
LIGHTS OFF commands to the house wiring and calls up to 4 telephones
with a 15 second message when tripped. It also retransmits commands from
other wireless X-10 transmitters to the house wiring for any 16 units.
Supports 8 security unit codes, has a battery backup.
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:SH624). $26 Arms and disarms alarm consoles and
turns any four units on, off or dim by sending radio signals to SECURITY
RECEIVER (X10:BR521, RS:61-2611, X10:PS561), surface mount.
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:HT544, RS:61-2611T). $26 Arms and disarms alarm
consoles and turns any single unit on or off by sending radio signals to
SECURITY RECEIVER (X10:BR521, RS:61-2611, X10:PS561), handheld.
WIRELESS TRANSMITTER (X10:KF574). $26 Arms and disarms alarm consoles and
turns any single unit on or off by sending radio signals to SECURITY
RECEIVER (X10:BR521, RS:61-2611, X10:PS561), keychain size.
WIRELESS DOOR/WINDOW TRANSMITTER (X10:DW534, RS:61-2612). $21 Monitors the
included magnetic reed switches and sends alarm trip signal to SECURITY
RECEIVER (X10:BR521, RS:61-2611, X10:PS561), surface mount.
PIR MOTION DETECTOR (X10:SP544A) $60 Passive InfraRed motion detector,
any movement sends an alarm trip signal to SECURITY RECEIVER (X10:BR521,
RS:61-2611, X10:PS561), surface mount.
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Personal Assistance
===================
WIRELESS ASSISTANCE RECEIVER AND AUTODIALER CONSOLE (X10:PA581). $133
Receives commands from wireless pendant transmitters (X10:HP564,
X10:PT594) to sound it's 95dB siren, flashes ALL LIGHTS ON and ALL LIGHTS
OFF commands to the house wiring and call up to 4 telephones with a 15
second message when tripped. Supports up to 8 pendants, and can
retransmit commands from any WIRELESS TRANSMITTERS over the house wiring.
WATER-RESISTANT CALL PENDANT (X10:HP564). $26 Wireless transmitter to
trip the ASSISTANCE CONSOLE (X10:PA581).
CALL PENDANT WITH LIGHT CONTROL (X10:PT594). $26 Wireless transmitter to
trip the ASSISTANCE CONSOLE (X10:PA581) any units ON or OFF if they have
the same housecode and unit code as the ASSISTANCE CONSOLE.
================
Special Function
================
MOTION DETECTOR (X10:PR511, LEV:6417, RS:61-2604). $38 At sundown, sends
ON command for any up to four consecutive units and sends OFF again at
sunup. Also only when dark, sends ON command to up to four other
consecutive units when motion detected. Two floodlight sockets turned
on/off for either sundown/sunup or when motion detected (selectable).
Adjustable sensitivity for sunup/sundown and on/off time delay for
motion. For outside use. Must be wired into round electrical box.
POWER HORN (X10:PH508, RS:61-2613). $30 This is a very loud (100dB)
piezo electric device used as the audible indicator to scare away or
deafen intruders. It sounds in response to X10 signals, usually
generated by other components in a complete X10 alarm system.
THERMOSTAT CONTROLLER (X10:TH2807). $13 Attaches to appliance module.
Small heater underneath any thermostat fools it into thinking house is
warm and furnace need not be turned on. Good for use with automatic
timer (e.g. MINI-TIMER or HOME CONTROL INTERFACE).
DRY CONTACT TRANSMITTER (LEV:6315). $98 Transmits X10 ON and OFF signals
to four consecutive units in response to make or break connections of
dry contact sensors (e.g. photocells, external alarm systems). Wired
into rectangular wall box.
MOMENTARY DRY CONTACT TRANSMITTER (LEV:6316). $98 Similar to DRY
CONTRACT TRANSMITTER (LEV:6315) but triggers on momentary changes in the
external dry contact sensors.
UNIVERSAL LOW VOLTAGE MODULE (X10:UM506, LEV:6337, RS:61-2688). $16
Selectable for any house code, any unit code. Closes external circuit
(selectable continuous or momentary) in response to X10 command. Has
integrated REMOTE CHIME function. Plugs into standard wall outlet. For
controlling sprinklers, curtain closers whose control signals are not
120V but rely on simple switch closing.
POWERFLASH INTERFACE (X10:PF284, RS:61-2687). $18 In response to 6-18 VAC
or VDC does one of the following three things (selectable): turns all
lights on then selected unit on, and then selected unit off when voltage
is removed [mode1]; repeats all lights on, all units off as long as
voltage is applied (effect is to flash all lights), ends with all lights
on [mode2]; transmits selected unit code on when voltage is applied, and
selected unit off when voltage is removed [mode 3]
REMOTE CHIME (X10:SC546). $16 Chimes when turned on. Selectable for any
house code, any unit code. Could be used with MOTION DETECTOR to warn
when someone is approaching.
================================
Amplifiers, Couplers and Bridges
================================
If the installation of one of these devices make your system perform
worse its possible that there is a noise source inside your house and
now the noise is being amplified/coupled to the other phase.
SYSTEM AMPLIFIER (LEV:6201). $262 Boosts signals on one phase and
retransmits them on the other in North American 120/240V wiring system.
Installed on its own 15A breaker at main electrical panel. Often
required for large buildings over 5000 square feet (465 square meters).
SIGNAL BRIDGE (LEV:6299). $33 Couples signals from one phase to other in
North American 120/240V wiring system. Installed on its own 15A breaker
in rectangular wall box. Often required in medium sized buildings over
2000 square feet (185 square meters), or smaller where commands do not
pass reliably.
NOISE BLOCK (LEV:6282). Installed between incoming power line and
main panel to keep extraneous electronic noise and signals from entering
or leaving X10 network. Useful in apartments or attached homes sharing
same transformer with others. 100A per phase.
NOISE FILTER (LEV:6288). $21 Looks like appliance module. Installed
between power outlet and power cord of particularly noisy appliance that
is interfering with X10 signals.
IN-LINE NOISE FILTER (LEV:6289). Meant to be installed with pigtail
wires inside devices that interfere with X-10 signals, such as fluorescent
lights or dimmers. Can be wired phase to neutral or phase to phase.
WHOLE HOUSE BLOCKING COUPLER (ACT CP303). $75 Couples signals across
phases and blocks outside X10 signals. See Section 2.1.
SECTION 2.1: EXPANDED INFORMATION ON X10 COMPONENTS
WHOLE HOUSE BLOCKING COUPLER (ACT CP303)
The following is an edited version of an article posted by Edward Cheung
(7/95).
One week ago I posted an article asking for info on ACT's blocking
coupler. Since then I have had one installed in my house, and I am
happy to report that it works as claimed. As promised, I am posting a
report on my findings in the hope that it may benefit others.
A few months ago, I started receiving X-10 commands from my neighbor
down the street. Since our homes are wired for 200Amp service, I had
previously assumed that we didn't share transformer secondaries. This
assumption was either incorrect, or commands were somehow bridging the
secondaries. Note that he does _not_ use RF components.
An ad from Worthington industries in an issue of Electronic House
proclaimed the arrival of a new device from ACT that promises to
isolate your house from the rest of the street for $75.00. In
addition, the unit also functions as a phase coupler. As I will
explain below, this latter function is very important for proper
operation of the blocker. After ordering one unit and setting up a
bench test circuit at home, I was able to use my scope to measure that
the device indeed attenuates X-10 signals by a factor of four to five.
Tech lit from their company president Rick Scholl states that if the
amplitude of the offending X-10 command exceeds 100mV, two such
filters will be needed (one at each house's breaker panel) to block
all signals.
The device's principle of operation is quite clever. In a conventional
design, you would have to insert an inductor of sufficient value and
current rating in series with each incoming power phase. The size of
such a device can be enormous. Instead of that approach, the ACT
blocker is a toroidal transformer. The installer passes the neutral
conductor to the house's breaker panel thru a hole in the noise
blocker and connects the incoming neutral and power phase connections
to screw terminals on the device. Note that the device is _not_ in
series with the house, thus mega size conductors are not needed. The
actual operation of the circuit is not 100% clear to me, but it
functions roughly as follows: when an offensive signal is detected by
the module, it somehow figures out its source (either from in or
outside the house), and then magnetically induces a voltage of the
proper polarity on the segment of the neutral cable that is inside the
toroid's hole. The effect is that the signal will be canceled out.
For example, if there appears 10mV of signal on phase A, it will be
automatically be coupled also to phase B. ACT's blocker then induces
roughly 10mV of signal onto the neutral, and the effect is that the
house 'sees' no signal, since there exist an equal amount of 'noise'
on all three connections.
The device has been installed in my home for a few days, and since
then there has been a complete cessation of outside commands. I
suppose that I would be willing to accept one or two commands from the
other homes per week, and so far, we are below that threshold. X-10
performance inside the home has been unchanged.
The device is small. It will fit inside a regular coffee mug. In my
case, this allowed an inexpensive installation--right into the breaker
panel. If it were much larger, it would require a much costlier and
lengthier installation. The electrician I hired needed one hour, a
total cost of $80. In principle, there is no reason that the frequency
response of the device be limited to the X-10 carrier. Perhaps the
unit can / does function as an active high frequency fire wall for the
house. In this case, it can add a side benefit of reducing line noise
in general. I wonder then if this device can also be useful with the
next generation of powerline carrier control such as CEBUS and
Echelon. Leviton is also building a whole house block, and has been
advertised for several months in Home Control Concept's flyer. As of
Feb '95, this unit will not be available till late Summer '95, and is
rumored to cost a few hundred dollars. I do not know how Leviton's
device works, but from the drawings that I have, I do not see any thru
holes. In addition, the Leviton device handles only two phases (up to
100Amps each), while ACT's can handle up to three (up to 200Amps
each). I wonder if Leviton's device is just two big inductors. If the
amount of attenuation of intruding signals is not sufficient, it would
appear to be possible to install capacitors across the power lines on
the meter side of the blocker to suppress these signals. I say this
hesitantly as there are extraneous issues associated with doing this,
so tread carefully. This device is very new. The serial number of mine
is #109. The part number is CP303, and it is UL listed.
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