Home Automation - Radio Shack "Plug 'n Power" units fail now
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Electro Mo
03-19-07, 05:39 PM
I have 2 Radio Shack "Plug 'n Power" Control systems, one from the 80's and one from the 90's. Both were working fine for years until last year, when they both stopped functioning.
BTW, one was used for my outdoor shed light and outdoor bug light (plugged into a shed outlet), and one was used for a basement room.
Upon testing, I've discovered the units still work but only if plugged into the same wiring as the appliance (no circuit breaker in between).
The circuit brerakers have not been replaced as far as can recall, so why is this happening? And what can be done to fix the problem?
BTW, one was used for my outdoor shed light and outdoor bug light (plugged into a shed outlet), and one was used for a basement room.
Upon testing, I've discovered the units still work but only if plugged into the same wiring as the appliance (no circuit breaker in between).
The circuit brerakers have not been replaced as far as can recall, so why is this happening? And what can be done to fix the problem?
texasdog
03-21-07, 11:04 AM
I would start by making sure the breakers have not been tripped. Then I would try replacing the circuit breakers. That is a good and cheap place to start.
jpcorless
04-03-07, 12:00 PM
[QUOTE=Electro Mo;1145112]I have 2 Radio Shack "Plug 'n Power" Control systems, one from the 80's and one from the 90's. Both were working fine for years until last year, when they both stopped functioning.
Three thoughts:
1. My units have never worked IF I have them on different sides of the buss: Power comes into the building as 220v comprised of TWO 120v lines and a ground in between. In the breaker/fuse box, this is most easilly seen by observing the two metal buss strips that go down through your breaker box. Most breaker boxes are configured with a sawtooth buss so that everyother breaker is on a different 120v supply line.
The "Plug 'n Power" units seem only to work if both curcuits are on the SAME 120v side of the buss.
2. I also had a problem with a surge suppressor: I had failures on one of my lines, but I switched surge suppressors and had no further problems.
3. A ground fault interupter (GFCI) might have the same kind of effect as "2" above.
GOOD LUCK
Three thoughts:
1. My units have never worked IF I have them on different sides of the buss: Power comes into the building as 220v comprised of TWO 120v lines and a ground in between. In the breaker/fuse box, this is most easilly seen by observing the two metal buss strips that go down through your breaker box. Most breaker boxes are configured with a sawtooth buss so that everyother breaker is on a different 120v supply line.
The "Plug 'n Power" units seem only to work if both curcuits are on the SAME 120v side of the buss.
2. I also had a problem with a surge suppressor: I had failures on one of my lines, but I switched surge suppressors and had no further problems.
3. A ground fault interupter (GFCI) might have the same kind of effect as "2" above.
GOOD LUCK
Paul NC
04-13-07, 06:31 PM
A phase coupler sounds like what you may need. It goes on a 220 circuit breaker to "couple" both hot legs for the signals.
Do you have an electric oven? Turn it on and then see if it works. If it does, thats what you need. X10.com has them.
Also, not all X10 units are the same, they just use the same technology. The best I've found has been the Leviton units, Radio Shack and X10 branded the worst.
Do you have an electric oven? Turn it on and then see if it works. If it does, thats what you need. X10.com has them.
Also, not all X10 units are the same, they just use the same technology. The best I've found has been the Leviton units, Radio Shack and X10 branded the worst.