Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!rutgers!ames!oliveb!felix!fritz!dennisg From: dennisg@fritz.UUCP Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: How does BSR stuff work? Message-ID: <4049@fritz.felix.UUCP> Date: Mon, 30-Mar-87 22:23:57 EST Article-I.D.: fritz.4049 Posted: Mon Mar 30 22:23:57 1987 Date-Received: Wed, 1-Apr-87 07:28:24 EST References: <3271@ece-csc.UUCP> <1929@hoptoad.uucp> <4012@fritz.felix.UUCP> Reply-To: dennisg@fritz.UUCP (Dennis Griesser) Organization: FileNet Corp., Costa Mesa, CA Lines: 76 I promised more info on BSR X-10 stuff. Here goes with part 1, an overview for those who don't know about the X-10 system... The X-10 system allows you to remotely control lamps and appliances using signals injected into the normal AC power wiring. A must for gadget freaks, and handy for practically everyone else too. The system is easy to install. In most cases, you unplug the lamp that you want controlled, plug a plastic cube into the wall instead, and plug the lamp into the cube. If you get tired of looking at the cube, you can get a wall outlet with an X-10 receiver built into it. Pull your main breaker, remove the wall outlet, install X-10 outlet, reset breaker, plug in lamp. For built-in lamps, there are a couple of receiver models that replace the wall switch. Internally, there are two different types of X-10 receivers. Lamp modules are only to be used for incandescent lamps. The nice thing about them is that they also function as dimmers. With one stroke, you can make it possible to control any light in the house from your armchair of bedstand, and dim or brighten them at will. Lamp modules know that they are lamp modules. You can say "all lights on", and have no fear of turning on the toaster... Appliance modules are built with heavy duty microswitches thrown by solenoids. They can handle lots of current, but don't allow dimming. Suitable for your stereo, flourescent lights, fans, and small heaters. You run the show from a control panel with a bank of module switches and a bank of function switches. You start by touching one or more module switches. This is like saying "listen up modules 2 and 13!" Then hit the function switch for what you want it to do. Choices include: on, off, dim, and bright. If you chose "dim", the lamps plugged into the addressed modules will slowly get dimmer. Hold the switch down until the light reaches the level you want. There is also a panic switch that turns on all the lights, and a vacation switch that turns off everything. You can have as many control panels in the house as you want. For those who demand laptop control, there is an ultrasonic wand that lets you do anything you would want the console for. They have bells and whistles, too. One add-on allows you to call up over the telephone and manipulate the X-10 system. Another is a digital clock/timer that allows you to program lights coming on and off. Touted as a burgular deterrent, it also makes it possible to come home to a warm lit house when you have been working late. They also have a thermostat interface that lets you or the timer fiddle with the furnace remotely. Then there's the actual burgular alarm interface. It takes a normally-open or normally-closed loop and will turn on and flash selected lights or appliances when the circuit is activated. Possibly the ultimate gizmo in the set is the computer interface. The box looks like a command console, and can be used as such. The RS-232 interface allows your computer to turn lamps or appliances on or off, or dim lamps to the level of your choice. It also functions as a timer, but offers features and flexibility far beyond those of the ordinary timer unit. But you must use a computer to take advantage of this feature. Comes in flavors for several machines, with cable and software. I have the Macintosh version, and it's very well done. The system seems to have been designed by BSR, a maker of various consumer electronic gadgets, especially turntables and other stereo equipment. Many parts of the system are available under the "Leviton" name at hardware stores, and under private labels at Radio Shack and Sears. You can deal directly with the manufacturer (phone or mail), but you don't save any money in doing so. DAK, a mailorder house, has had various X-10 components on "close-out" for years. The X-10 remote control equipment seems to have spun off as an individual company from BSR. They can be reached at X-10 (USA) Inc. 185A LeGrand Ave. Northvale, NJ 07647 (201) 784-9700 (800) 526-0027 [Disclaimer: I love the system and own large chunks of it. I don't make a dime whether you buy this stuff or not.]