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A survey of common X-10 devices
and some hints as to their behavior.

Here is a simple survey of common X-10 devices. It should be useful as a reference for troubleshooting as well as a glossary of the different modules and controllers. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but it will grow with time.

For a description of the different interfaces that XTension can use, see this page : Supported Interfaces

HERE is the official index of X-10 product and protocol manuals

Common Plug-In Modules :
Plug-in Lamp, Appliance etc.


Heavy Duty Plug-In Modules:
Plug-in 220volt, Appliance etc.


Wall Receptacles :
In-wall appliance sockets.


Wall Switches :
Wired-in switches and controls.


Wall mount Wireless :
Mount anywhere switches.


Bedside etc. controllers :
Plug-in controls for the bed or sofa.


Wireless handheld :
Wireless remote controls.


Multifunction controls :
Wireless remotes for TV/VCR and X-10.


Wireless transceivers :
Plug-in modules translate wireless to X-10.


General Purpose Interface:
Plug-in modules translate between X-10 and contacts.


Motion and Dusk sensors :
Wired in and wireless motion and dusk detectors send X-10 commands.


Note that the original manufacturer's part numbers are used where known.

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Common Plug-In Modules

LM465 Plug-in Lamp Module (receive only) Tutorial
Specs

60-300 watt incandescent only
Features

Remote dim and on/off
Local on/off
Responds to All Lights ON
and All Units OFF
Funnies

Full on before dim after OFF
Not reliable with low wattages.
Not for fluorescent lights
May not work with halogen fixtures

LM14A Plug-in Lamp Module with preset dim and status response Tutorial
Specs

60-300 watt incandescent only
Features

Remote dim and on/off
Local on/off
Last Dim setting memory
Reports Status
Responds to All Lights ON/OFF
and All Units OFF
Responds to Extended Code commands.
Funnies

May 'talk' excessively
Not for fluorescent lights
May not work with halogen fixtures

Socket Rocket /LM15A Screw-in Lamp Switch
Specs

150 watt incandescent only
Features

Remote on/off
Responds to All Lights ON
and All Units OFF
Program House/Unit address via X-10 commands
Very small
May work with flourescents.
Funnies

Simple but explicit address setup sequence.

AM486 Plug-in Appliance Module - 2 Pin socket (receive only)
Specs

15 amps on/off only
Features

Local control
Remote on/off
Responds to All Units OFF
Fluorescent lights ok
Funnies

Some devices may cause it to turn on by itself
This can be 'fixed'

AM466 Plug-in Appliance Module - 3 pin socket (receive only)
Specs

Identical to AM486
Features

3 pin versus 2 pin socket
Responds to All Units OFF
Fluorescent lights ok
Funnies

Identical to AM486

AM14A Plug-in Appliance Module with status response.
Specs

Identical to AM486
Features

Reports Status
Responds to All Units OFF
Fluorescent lights ok
Responds to Extended Code commands
Funnies

Too new
May 'talk' excessively



Heavy-Duty Plug-In Modules

HD243 Plug-in 220 volt 15 amp appliance module
Specs

15 amps at 220volts
Features

Remote on/off
Good for medium sized appliances.
Responds to All Units OFF
Funnies

none ?

HD245 Plug-in 220 volt 20 amp appliance module
Specs

20 amps at 220volts
Features

Remote on/off
Good for medium sized appliances.
Responds to All Units OFF
Funnies

none ?



Wall Receptacles

SR227 In wall X-10 controlled receptacles
Specs

15 amps, each socket
Features

Remote on/off
Good for medium sized appliances.
One socket always powered.
Responds to All Units OFF
Funnies

none ?

Leviton 6280 In-wall X-10 controlled receptacle
Specs

20 amps, each socket
Features

Remote on/off
Good for medium sized appliances.
Both sockets X-10 controlled.
NO local control. (kid proof ?)
Responds to All Units OFF
Funnies

Costs almost twice as much WITH local control enabled?

Leviton 6227 In-wall X-10 controlled receptacle
Specs

15 amps, single controlled socket
Features

Remote on/off
Good for medium sized appliances.
Responds to All Units OFF
Upper socket controlled
Local control enabled.
Funnies

none ?

Leviton 220v In-wall X-10 controlled 220 volt receptacle
Specs

20 amps, single controlled socket
Features

Remote on/off
Good for medium sized appliances.
Responds to All Units OFF
Local control disabled ?
Funnies

none ?



Wall Switches
WS467 In-wall X-10 controlled dimmer switch
Specs

60 to 500 watts
Incandescent only
Features

Remote on/off
Remote DIM/BRI.
Responds to All Units OFF
Responds to All Lights ON
Funnies

No local dim
Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

WS4777 In-wall X-10 controlled 3-Way switch set
Specs

60 to 500 watts
Incandescent only
Features

Remote on/off
Remote DIM/BRI.
Responds to All Units OFF
Responds to All Lights ON
Funnies

No local dim
Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

Leviton 6381 In-wall X-10 switch with local DIM and AGC Tutorial
Specs

60 to 500 watts
Incandescent only
Features

Remote on/off
Remote DIM/BRI.
Responds to All Units OFF
Responds to All Lights ON
Press and hold local dimming
AGC signal enhancement
Responds to Extended Code commands
Does not report status
Funnies

Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

Leviton 6383 3-Way In-wall X-10 switch with local DIM and AGC Tutorial
Specs

60 to 500 watts
Incandescent only
Features

Remote on/off
Remote DIM/BRI.
Responds to All Units OFF
Responds to All Lights ON
Press and hold local dimming
AGC signal enhancement
Responds to Extended Code commands
Does not report status
Funnies

Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

Leviton 6291 Heavy Duty In Wall switch with AGC
Specs

20 amps
Features

Remote on/off
Responds to All Units OFF
Responds to All Lights ON
LED shows status at switch.
AGC signal enhancement
Solid relay switching
Fluorescents ok
Fans ok
Funnies

Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

Leviton 6371 220 volt Heavy Duty In Wall switch with AGC
Specs

20 amps @ 250 volts
Features

Remote on/off
Responds to All Lights ON
AGC signal enhancement
Solid relay switching
Fluorescents ok
Fans ok
Funnies

Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

Leviton 6293 3-Way Heavy Duty In Wall switch with AGC
Specs

20 amps
Features

Remote on/off
Responds to All Lights ON
AGC signal enhancement
Solid relay switching
Fluorescents ok
Fans ok
Funnies

Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

Leviton 6381-U In Wall dimmer for inductive loads (motors etc) with AGC Tutorial
Specs

500 watts
Features

Remote on/off
Responds to All Lights ON
Responds to All Lights OFF
AGC signal enhancement
Ceiling fans ok
6383-U is 3-way version
Funnies

Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.
May hum with certain motors

PCS X-10 Smart Switch In-wall X-10 switch with local DIM
Specs

60 to 600 watts
Incandescent only
Features

Remote on/off
Remote DIM/BRI.
Responds to All Units OFF
Responds to All Lights ON
Press and hold local dimming
Preset dim
Receiver noise immunity
Funnies

Receive Only
Does not send X-10 signals.

Leviton 6400 In-wall X-10 transmitters
Specs

1, 2 or 4 buttons
Features

Standard wall box mount
Control up to 4 sequential codes
Can send All Lights ON/OFF
Can send All Units OFF
LEDS show status of units
Funnies

?



Wall mount Wireless Switches

X-10 Powerhouse Mount anywhere wireless X-10 switches
Specs

2, 4 or 3 + dim
Features

Mount anywhere velcro
Control up to 4 sequential codes
Use with TM751 or RR501 transceivers
Funnies

Can not send "All ..." type commands
Chintzy buttons ?



Bedside etc. Controllers

MC460 Plug-in Mini Controller Tutorial
Specs

4 units plus dim/bri and All Lights ON/OFF
Features

Plug in anywhere
Control up to 4 sequential codes
Can send ALL Lights ON/OFF, All Units OFF, and DIM/BRI
Very inexpensive controls for bedside or sofa
Funnies

none

SC503 Plug-in Maxi Controller Tutorial
Specs

16 units plus dim/bri and All Lights ON/OFF
Features

Plug in anywhere
Control all units on a single house code
Can send ALL Lights ON/OFF, All Units OFF, and DIM/BRI
Very inexpensive controls for bedside or sofa
Funnies

Separate unit and command buttons

MT522 Plug-in Mini Timer
Specs

Control up to 8 units ON/OFF
Features

Plug in anywhere
Timer control of 4 units
4 units from buttons
Schedule 4 units ON/OFF twice a day
All lights ON and DIM
Select random times for events
Alarm button with Snooze
Battery backup
Funnies

Switch between 2 banks of 4 units

SD533 Sundowner Mini Controller
Specs

Control up to 8 units
4 units ON/OFF at dusk/dawn
Features

Plug in anywhere
Dusk/Dawn control of 4 units
4 units from buttons
Can send ALL Lights ON/OFF, All Units OFF, and DIM/BRI
Funnies

Switch between 2 banks of 4 units



Wireless handheld Controllers

KC674 Two unit Keychain wireless remote Tutorial & Another and a TechNote
Specs

Control 2 units ON/OFF
Features

Use with TM751 or RR501
Very small
Use to trigger XTension scripts!
Funnies

Only units 1 & 2 or 5 & 6
Switch inside case

RT504 8/16 unit hand held wireless remote Tutorial
Specs

Control 16 units ON/OFF DIM/BRI
Features

Use with TM751 or RR501
Compact
Can send unit ON/OFF, DIM/BRI
Use to trigger XTension scripts!
Funnies

Switch between units 1-8 and 9-16



Multifunction Remotes

UR19A Wireless/InfraRed X-10 SuperRemote
Specs

Control 6 A/V units
Control 16 units ON/OFF DIM/BRI
Sends wireless X-10 commands
Features

Use with TM751 or RR501
Compact
Use also with X-10 IR transceiver
Sleep timer for X-10 and A/V
Use to trigger XTension scripts!
Funnies

Must select brand code for your A/V units
Odd selection of brand/codes

UR24A Wireless/InfraRed X-10 Learning SuperRemote
Specs

Control 8 A/V units
Control 16 units ON/OFF DIM/BRI
Sends wireless X-10 commands
Features

Learns your A/V remote codes
Use with TM751 or RR501
Lighted buttons
Sleep timer for X-10 and A/V
Use also with X-10 IR transceiver
Use to trigger XTension scripts!
Funnies

May not learn some IR codes



Wireless transceivers

TM751 16 unit Wireless to X-10 Transceiver Tutorial
Specs

Control 16 units ON/OFF
No DIM/BRI
Translates wireless commands into X-10 powerline commands
Features

Controls one house code
Built-in 2 pin appliance socket
Wireless control of socket
Local ON/OFF for socket
Very economical
May use with wireless repeaters (SR731)
Funnies

Local socket responds ONLY to wireless ON/OFF from first unit button on KC674
(unit 1 or 9 ?)
Local socket will not respond to remote X-10 commands
NO DIM/BRI ?

RR501 16 unit Wireless to X-10 Transceiver Tutorial
Specs

Control 16 units ON/OFF DIM/BRI
Translates wireless commands into X-10 powerline commands
Features

Controls one house code
Built-in 2 pin appliance socket
Wireless control of socket
Local ON/OFF for socket
Very economical
May use with wireless repeaters (SR731)
Later models respond to Status Request
Funnies

Local socket responds to wireless or remote X-10 commands
(unit 1 or 9 ?)
Larger than TM751
Switch between 1-8 or 9-16
Newer models serve 16 addresses but still have the switch

MR26 All House-code Wireless to Serial Transceiver Tutorial
Specs

Receives wireless commands from any standard X-10 control or sensor.

Sends these commands over a standard RS232 serial cable to a PC or Mac serial port. (XTension works with this !)
Features

Works with all house codes
Very economical
May use with wireless repeaters (SR731)
Also transceives wireless commands from X-10 MP3 remotes.
Funnies

'Rat-tail' antenna severely limits the range.

The RS-232 drivers are often incompatible with the Mac serial ports, but can be corrected. See the tutorial.



General Purpose Interface

UM506 Universal Module X-10 ON/OFF to low voltage contacts Tutorial
Specs

Translates X-10 ON/OFF to Contact close/open
Features

Momentary/Continuous switch closure
Chime/Relay or Both controlled
This is the module to use for controlling any device which requires a simple switch close/open for control
Local ON/OFF
Funnies

Could switch larger loads but contacts are exposed

PF284 Powerflash Module Contact closure to X-10 transmitter Tutorial
Specs

Translates Contact Close/Open or low voltage to X-10 ON/OFF

Select either :
Input A : 6-18 volts DC
Input B : Dry contact closure
Features

Contact or Low Voltage input
3 different Modes *
Local Test and All Units OFF
This is the unit to use for monitoring any device that uses a contact or low voltage to turn on/off. (water pumps, HVAC etc.)
Funnies

Likes to send 'funny' commands at times.
Watch polarity of input with DC voltage input.

Modes of the PowerFlash :
Mode 1 : Sends All Lights ON for house code, and ON for house/unit selected.
When contact opens, Sends All Lights OFF for house code and OFF for house/unit.
Mode 2 : Sends All Lights ON followed by All Lights OFF for house code (Flashing mode)
Repeats until contact opens.
Mode 3 : Sends ON for selected house/unit only. Sends OFF when contacts open.



Passive InfraRed (PIR) Motion and Dusk Sensors

PR511 Dual floodlight motion and dusk detector Tutorial
Specs

PIR motion and photo-resistor sensors
Dual floodlight sockets
Features

Motion or Dusk control of floodlights and up to 8 other X-10 units
Very configurable
Sends both ON and OFF with motion and dusk
Settable delay before OFF
Weather resistant.
Responds to Status Requests (base address -1)
Funnies

Likes to send 'funny' X-10 commands at times.
Like all PIR sensors, they can be fooled but are generally used for lighting control outside
Will only send motion ON/OFF when Dusk is true.
More expensive without floodlights
Floodlights can be turned on remotely, but stay on regardless until an explicit OFF is sent.

DM10A X-10 wireless motion and dusk sensor Simple Hack .... - Back Side
Specs

PIR (motion) and photo-resistor (light) sensors
Wireless
Features

Wireless mount anywhere.
Sends ON for motion regardless of dusk setting
Sends no OFF for motion
Sends ON/OFF for dusk
Works with TM751 or RR501 wireless transceivers.
High/Low Dusk sensitivity
Uses sequential unit numbers.
Fairly weather resistant.
Funnies

Sends another ON for motion in 30 seconds when motion continues.
Never sends OFF for motion

Meant for use with the ReX-10 dog barker, but useful anywhere.

MS12A X-10 wireless motion and dusk sensor Simple Hack
Specs

PIR motion and photo-resistor dusk sensor
Wireless
Looks exactly like the MS13A.
Features

Wireless mount anywhere.
Senses motion ONLY when DUSK is true.
Sends ON/OFF for dusk (base unit + 1)
Works with TM751 or RR501 wireless transceivers.
Uses sequential unit numbers.
Weather resistant ?
Very Small !
House/Unit codes set via new pushbuttons
These buttons can be used to send a local ON or OFF for the motion sensor address.
Funnies

Sends an OFF for the house/unit 6-8 minutes after motion stops.
Motion will not trigger in a lighted room.
Put dark tape over dusk sensor to defeat.
Very 'hackable'. Can replace 'sensors' with switches.
Sends one ON, and one OFF.

MS13A Newer X-10 wireless motion and dusk sensor Simple Hack
Specs

PIR motion and photo-resistor dusk sensor
Wireless
Looks exactly like the MS12A.
Features

Wireless mount anywhere.
Senses motion and DUSK separately.
Sends ON/OFF for dusk (base unit + 1)
Selectable dead time before OFF.
Works with TM751 or RR501 wireless transceivers.
Uses sequential unit numbers.
Weather resistant ?
Very Small !
House/Unit codes set via new pushbuttons
Select 'off' time with buttons from 1 to 256 minutes.
Select whether to 'link' Dusk and Motion sensors.
These buttons can be used to send a local ON or OFF for the motion sensor address.
Funnies

Sends an ON for the house/unit every 10 seconds until motion stops. Then one OFF.
Put opaque tape over dusk sensor to defeat.
Very 'hackable'. Can replace 'sensors' with switches.



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Back to Home Page
where to get?
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Tutorials put it together



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Last modified: January 16, 2005
Michael Ferguson, webmaster@shed.com