Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - X10 Modules

I have a Simon 60-875 two way voice system. I see in the installation manual that you can use X10 modules to perform certain functions. Are these the same wireless X10 accessories from X10.com or are they different? I was once told that X10 was kind of a very low grade of equipment. But if that was the case why would GE be eluding to them?
Dee

While I cannot speak for the quality of the X-10 _brand_ hardware, X-10 is simply a technology interface standard used by many manufacturers. That particular company just happened to get the trademark application in first.

The quality will vary by the manufacturer.

I have a Simon 60-875 two way voice system. I see in the installation manual that you can use X10 modules to perform certain functions. Are these the same wireless X10 accessories from X10.com or are they different? I was once told that X10 was kind of a very low grade of equipment. But if that was the case why would GE be eluding to them?
Dee

Same...
The modules you refer to are not true "wireless" devices. They are line carrier..

Thanks Guy's.
Dee

I Have A Smarthome(Simon) Security Control Panel # 60-875-11-3 Retg. I Want To Add Two Wireless Sirens To This System And I Was Told By Ge That I Could Use X10 Products. I Have A X10 Powerflash Interface Pf284 And Two X10 Wireless Sirens And Need Info On How To Add These Items To My System.Thanks

You don't need the Powerflash module.

Make sure you have a line carrier transformer.
On the sirens, set the house code to "B", and the unit number to "9". Plug em in.

You don't need the Powerflash module.

Make sure you have a line carrier transformer.
On the sirens, set the house code to "B", and the unit number to "9". Plug em in.

Is the line carrier transformer a X-10 product ?.

Is the line carrier transformer a X-10 product ?.

No..

Chances are your transformer already is.

If your transformer has 4 wires going to it from the alarm panel, or 4 screw terminals, it's X10 ready. Otherwise you'll need the transformer.

X10 is a brand of "power line carrier" devices. X10 pro is a bit better. The problem is most X10 is one way, meaning a signal is sent, but there is no verification. It may get blocked by noise on the lines. Also noise can create false signals. Noise is created by electrical appliances and other things. Remember when your kitchen electric mixer or blender would screw up your tv when you turned the on. Same thing. Accept it doesn't take that much. BTW, computers are notorious for putting electric noise on the line.

X10 or PLC is neat stuff for the DIY, who doesn't mind tracking down problems. Newer stuff is now available, which uses 2 way, and wireless technologies, with a lot less problems.

If your transformer has 4 wires going to it from the alarm panel, or 4 screw terminals, it's X10 ready. Otherwise you'll need the transformer.

X10 is a brand of "power line carrier" devices. X10 pro is a bit better. The problem is most X10 is one way, meaning a signal is sent, but there is no verification. It may get blocked by noise on the lines. Also noise can create false signals. Noise is created by electrical appliances and other things. Remember when your kitchen electric mixer or blender would screw up your tv when you turned the on. Same thing. Accept it doesn't take that much. BTW, computers are notorious for putting electric noise on the line.

X10 or PLC is neat stuff for the DIY, who doesn't mind tracking down problems. Newer stuff is now available, which uses 2 way, and wireless technologies, with a lot less problems.

The powerline transformer from GE has 2 screw terminals and 2 wires coming from the panel...True of both Simon (9v) and Concord (16.5v)

The powerline transformer from GE has 2 screw terminals and 2 wires coming from the panel...True of both Simon (9v) and Concord (16.5v)
Guess I'm showing my age. On the original Concord and Caretaker+ panels the transformer was as I said. Guess they've changed it since I've done one.

Is the original transformer that is supplied with the Concord 4 panel compatible with X-10 equipment? If it only has two wires, what's the difference internally, some sort of bypass to allow the RF through?

I can't speak for the concord 4, but on the earlier concords, no, the original transformer didn't do x10. X10 required 4 wires, and put the signal on the 110 volt side of the transformer. This is power line carrier (PLC), not radio frequency (RF). PLC or X10 (X10 is a trademarked brand of PLC technology) signals are sent on the null or zero of the ac power. That's the reason for the extra pair, because the signal can't pass through a transformer, which has an open circuit between the high and low voltage sides.

I understand how X-10 works, I have it all over my house. However, I'm getting conflicting opinions on how to get the Concord 4 to use X-10. I guess I can just program it and try it with the stock transformer. :)

In any case, I need a P/S expansion, so I decided to go with the X-10 compatible 40VA 16.5v transformer, and I'll use the original one to power the ELK-P624 1A P/S to expand my 12V current capability, I won't need X-10 compatibility on that one. :D

Well, apparently the stock transformer isn't capable of passing X-10 data, at least it doesn't work for me.

Part number below..

Power Line Carrier – 600-1024 (required for X-10)

Make sure you are on the same electrical phase as the panel...