HOME AUTOMATION X-10 HARDWARE



X-10 Home Automation

The Home Automation aspect is achieved by means of various X-10 modules. The X-10 modules are also linked to the security system via a TW7223 X-10 module. The plan is (if I get time to try and get it working), to enable the Passive IR sensors and door sensors in each room to switch X-10 modules to control various electrical devices, when somebody enters or leaves a room.

The advantage of this level of automation is that it moves beyond using the sensors just for security, but also for more energy efficient use of electrical lighting and appliances in the house - hopefully leading to reduced electricity bills!

X-10 modules are generally fitted with an electronic circuit controlled by a Microchip PIC 16C54 8-bit RISC Microcontroller. It is the PIC 16C54 Microcontroller that interprets the X-10 signal sent across the mains, and determines whether or not to perform an action, depending on which X-10 module is being addressed.

Currently, the X-10 hardware consists of:

2 x CM12U
- The CM12U is an RS-232 to X-10 module for computer control of household X-10 modules, which plugs into a 230 Volts, 50 Hz mains electrical socket. The CM12U converts the RS-232 protocol output from a PCs serial port to the X-10 mains electrical protocol..

1 x TM12U
- The TM12U is an X-10 module with an RF receiver for RF control of household X-10 modules. The TM12U plugs into a 230 Volts, 50 Hz mains electrical socket.

10 x LM10U Lamp Modules.
- The LM10U is an X-10 module used for controlling incandescent lights of up to 300 Watts, which plugs into a 230 Volts, 50 Hz mains electrical socket. It is not designed for use with Compact Flourescent Lights (CFL), and an AM10U appliance module should be used for CFLs. The LM10U switching is achieved by means of a Triac.

10 x AM10U Appliance Modules.
- The AM10U is an X-10 module which is used for controlling larger loads than the LM10U lamp modules, such as TVs, kettles, coffee machines, computers etc, and which plugs into a 230 Volts, 50 Hz mains electrical socket. The switching within the AM10U is achieved by a Relay.

1 x TW7223

1 x HR10 RF Handset