Home automation, what's this ? One gathers under the name "home automation" all electronic technology, computer and telecommunications used in homes. Home automation is to ensure security features, comfort, energy management and communications that can be found in the house. The home appliances are integrated within systems that must communicate with each other to manage automation. Home automation includes all the techniques and technologies to monitor, automate, schedule and coordinate tasks comfort, security, maintenance services and more generally in individual or collective housing (GTB).

The X10 protocol is what ? X10 is a communication protocol powerline that allows compatible products to talk together via electrical son in your home. The X10 protocol provides no additional cabling, controlling lighting, electrical appliances, shutters, ... The advantage is that it is not necessary to install new communication cables, reusing existing ones (the cable through which happens electrical current) and without degradation, no need to take other cable if your installation is standards (phase and neutral present at different nodes). The X10 standard actually uses the current delivered and the existing electrical installation as support. Home automation with the X10 protocol makes you life easier, more comfortable, saves energy and offers more security at any time. With one remote you can control your shutters, control your lights, turn off appliances, .... Whether you are at work or away on vacation, you can simulate a presence in your home. In this case, different lights can light up at times and different days. Similarly, it is possible to operate the roller shutters and why not the gate of the house. You can monitor the comings and goings outside the front door or gate with a camera with or wireless. Connected to a screen inside the house, it will monitor the safe entry without having to moving. The possibilities are endless. The housing elements may be automation are numerous and their number continues to increase daily. At present, the main automation fields are :      

lighting (outdoor as well as indoor), household appliances (coffee machine, etc.) and domestic (television, sound system, etc.), consumption of energy (water heater, blinds, heating, etc.), personal and residential security (aggression, rangers, intrusion, fire, theft, etc.), presence simulation audio and video equipment, etc ...

One of the many benefits of the X10 technology is by example to drive a lighting device or a remote switch without installing electrical cable between them according to this principle : An SM10 module (dry contacts converter to X10) can be used to transmit a signal "on/off" to the electrical network representing a state (open/closed) and AM12 module (X10 converter to dry contacts) may be used to receive an order "on/off" from the electrical network that will control a device (off/on). This set SM10 + AM12 can thus be used to perform a "remote switch" without adding electrical cable.

How it works ? X10 products are designed in the spirit "kit ready to use" and are used by many millions of people to automate everything in the house. X10 does not offer closed solution but modules that you organize your needs. You will opt for intercalated modules on sockets if you are renting or prefer to modules installed in a control cabinet for permanent installation if you are propriotary. A set of components also manage your security without any cables, ideal for the renting. The installation is composed of transmitters and receivers. The transmitters: The transmitters modules send orders powerline, ie using the 220V cables of the existing installation, to the receiver modules which are connected appliances. A single transmitter is required per home. Orders can be a command ON, OFF, DIM, BRIGHT, ... The transmitters exist as PC interfaces, phone, Internet, ... 1.

Wireless transmitters The wireless transmitters send commands to a central receiver which translates these signals into a X10 signal for the X10 protocol on the electrical network. They exist as a remote control infrared (IR) or Radio Frequency (RF), wireless sensors, wireless switches.

2. Transmitters IR or RF to X10 (Converters) They convert IR or RF signals from wireless transmitters (remote controls, wireless switches and wireless sensors) into X10 protocol on the electrical network. RF towards X10 : example : TM13 Radio Frequency receiver towards X10 powerline. IR towards X10 : example : IR7243 Infrared receiver towards X10 powerline (to use your IR remote to control lights and appliances). 3. Transmitter + Converter RF towards X10 CM15PRO : USB computer interface The CM15PRO sends orders X10 powerline on the electrical network towards receiver modules which are connected appliances. At the same time the CM15PRO is an RF converter towards X10. It receives the RF signal of the wireless transmitters (remote controls, wireless switches and wireless sensors) and converts these into X10 signals on the electrical network. The receivers: The receivers executing the command they received from the transmitter (ON, OFF, DIM, BRIGHT, ...). The receivers exist in different forms as modules with plug, wall switches, rail DIN modules, modules to control the shutters or other devices, micro modules, etc ... Identification of transmitters and receivers: Each component of the installation receives an identification code consisting of a letter (the home code or group) and a number (the unit code in the group). Example : a coded transmitter "A1", turn on the device(s) power(s) connected(s) to module(s) receiver(s) encoded "A1". It is possible to issue orders to all the modules of a group. Example: turn off all lamps in the group "A". Note: This combination (letter + number) determines what is called a channel or address. Pilot lights and appliances from your computer or remote Extended capabilities via the computer as a simulation of a presence during the holidays, random programming of

light in the evening and night to give the impression that you are home. A single remote control to activate lighting, electrical appliances, the fountain, the audio and video installations, etc. The CM15PRO interface is the ideal way to increase your safety, your comfort and energy savings thanks to the power of the PC. The CM15PRO is the heart of your installation, indeed it is he who is responsible for transmitting the orders from your PC to the modules that you install (in our example SW10 wall control panel for blinds, motorized screen, ... and AM12 appliance module for your fairy lights, your coffee, your electric heat, your television, ...). The installation of CM15PRO is easier, simply plug it into a power outlet and connect it to your PC via the USB port. That's all !

A little theory The transmitter modules transmit the control signals at a frequency of 120 kHz at a voltage of 2.5V. on the same cable that the electric current. To avoid confusion with any spurious, the signal is transmitted 3 times to 3.33 milliseconds apart. X10 signals are stopped by the circuit breaker of an installation which avoids to issue or receive instructions or to neighboring apartments. For security, a filter module can be inserted at the head of the installation. The advantages of X10 :       

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Inexpensive, easy to install. Easy to extend, to do change. Extensive compatibility with third party software. The signals are easily spread throughout the electrical system, even large. The low signal voltage (2.5V.) Is safe for electrical appliances housing. The devices are made by several manufacturers, which explains many other benefits. The module prices remain among the lowest in the field of home automation for proper reliability : Competitive product allows lower prices. For example a DIN rail dimmer X10 costs about 40 euros, the same price as non X10 remote dimmer and that will not be controllable. These low prices allow many individuals to equip it and modular manner by spreading equipment purchases over time. The stability and longevity of the technology : The X10 is used in many countries for over 20 years (mainly America and Europe) The assurance of continuity its use because different brands of modules are compatible. A community of users and active developer and many even home automation management software in open-source under the GNU license. The free direct access to the X10 protocol is possible and is described on specialized sites. An opening on many systems : Many different brands of control panels offers control X10 modules (presence simulation, etc.), control of X10 commands from a PC with many different operating systems, piloting X10 orders by phone and by radio wave . There are so-called universal X10 modules that allow input or output to communicate with any type of non-X10 System (electric appliances such as washing machine, alarm siren, various sensors: temperature, humidity, etc.).

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A good distribution modules : X10 modules are found for sale on websites but also in major retail DIY stores and specialized shops (electronics, etc.) Some portability of modules : There are two types of X10 modules: those asking DIN rail or flush-type switch and those plug-in "double outlet". The latter, as a surge protector outlet, can easily be moved from one outlet to another, or be carried when moving. All other major benefits of home automation : Better management of energy and resources (turn off all lights and turn down the heat before leaving or setting the alarm system on such or manage automatic watering a garden depending on humidity) , ease daily routine tasks (opening, closing shutters depending on the temperature and brightness or simply on an hourly schedule). These functions are very useful for the elderly or disabled. There is no limit to your imagination using the X10 because it can control any device connected to the power grid directly or via a socket and this is one of the few protocols for applications as diverse.

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If three-phase, one must use a specific module types FD10 or CAT3000. The signals are blocked by the transformers, which limits the use with certain types of halogen lamps. Many modern electronics trade such as TVs, computers, inverters, etc. can induce disturbances or filtering X10 frames in the mains via their switching power supply eg blurring the X10 signals hardly detectable way but overall the X10 works properly on Power Systems (range 60 to 100 meters wired between the controller and the receiver). X10 filter for this purpose is supposed to filter any kind of disturbance or electrically isolate any potentially disruptive (FM10 filter). The X10 signal can not get through a transformer or three-phase power unless using a phase FD10 type coupler. The X10 signals must be filtered at the entrance or exit of a home not to travel on neighboring facilities and vice versa (not required but recommended). It is possible to send only one order at a time on the sector, if they collide and cancel each other. It takes on average 3/4 of a second to transmit a signal : the duration depends on the wire length as the X10 order must go. To install X10 receivers built on an existing electrical network (eg wall switch), check that the neutral also arrives at the switch to replace because the X10 needs the neutral flow. The ideal is to install the X10 modules as DIN rail module to the electrical panel in order to have a free choice of wall switches among all manufacturers market (push button for a TV TV converter or switch).