Hans Otten Personal Interests

My opinion

My personal opinion on X10 devices.
All 220V devices described on this page are marketed by the name Marmitek, a dutch firm delivering a range of X10 devices developed for 220V in many european variants all over Europe. Nice and friendly people. Marmitek webpage

I bought all devices from

DIL Elektronica, Rotterdam,the Netherlands
Conrad
Baran Harper Canada

• TF12 rf receiver (see note on length of antenna!)
• LM12 lamp module
• AM12 application module
• 8-in-1 remote
• CM11 computer interface
• Wall switch dimmer
• DIN application module AD10
• PF 284 Powerflash module
• UM506 Universal module
• Rex the barking dog, a german supplied version under the name HWG. It was on sale for $100,-, includes PIR and lamp module.
• MicroModules: new from Marmitek, to be mounted in the rear of junction boxes, exciting new modules!

Imported and modified for 220V operation:

• AM486 appliance module
• LM465 light module
• TR551 telephone module
• UM506 Universal module
• MC460 mini controller

See my pages on modifying how to do that.

LM15 Lampmodule

A Bayonet or screw-in Lamp Module. You can put this Lamp Module directly into the lamp socket. Can also be used with low-energy lamps. It is not possible to dim with this Lamp Module. Also no local sensing is present so you need a remote to switch it on or off. Relatively cheap but has limitations such as only remote turning on and off, no dimming and the size it adds.
Note that this module has no local house and unit switches but needs to learn its address from a remote. So you need either a remote like the 8-in-1 with a TM12 or TM13 receiver or a mini controller or a PC with CM11. I also found out that the that the lamp must be at least 40W, i could not program it with a 25W bulb.

MicroModules

I saw these modules appearing on the Marmitek site recently (january 2003, but htey might ne there longer!). Good looking professional and well adapted to the European situation. I am planning on buying some of these!

The AWM2 MicroModule is an extremely small Marmitek X-10 transmitter for two addresses with built-in appliance module. The AWM2 connects up to two momentary or maintained switches by wire leads. External switch 1 controls the relay and transmits ON/OFF X-10 command for the configured address. Switch 2 only transmits an ON/OFF command for the configured address plus one. MicroModules use two-way X-10 communication. Marmitek MicroModules are designed to fit in the rear of European junction boxes, behind any installed switch or outlet.

The TMA4 MicroModule is a X10 Transmitter for 4 addresses and the commands ON and OFF. The TMA4 connects up to four maintained switches by wire leads and transmits up to four sequential X-10 powerline carrier ON/OFF addresses.

The TMD4 MicroModule is an X-10 Transmitter for four addresses and the commands DIM/BRIGHT and ON/OFF. The TMD4 accepts up to four momentary switches by wire leads, and transmits up to four sequential X-10 power line carrier DIM/BRIGHT and ON/OFF commands.

No personal experience yet, but it looks like these modules are well suited for professional looking new house installations!
Note that you need either a remote like the 8-in-1 with a TM12 or TM13 receiver or a mini controller or a PC with CM11 to program these modules.

TM12 rf receiver

TM12 220V version with mains connector as used in the Netherlands (Germany etc)
Identical to the RR501 adjusted for 220V and using a carrier of 433MHz.
So it can not be used in combination with US based rf devices which use a frequency in the 300 MHz range!
Together with the 8-in-1 remote in theory a nice combination, but the promise of using trough walls is a fake. The range is about three meters maximum with the normal remotes. The newer 8-in-1 ranges 10 meters. I feel a bit cheated with the range of all X10 rf devices. I own two, one for the living room, one for the bedroom on different house codes.
The relais build in is quite noisy.

Update on range! The antenna is more than 20 cm in length. This is too long! Make it 17 cm. The range now extends to 6 metres!
I read that someone modified such X10� rf receiver devices by connecting the antenna by a 22pf capacitor to the inner brass part. Did not help me much but others have reported success.
Like the RR501 it is a two-way device, so it can report the status.

LM12 lamp module

220V version with mains connector as used in the Netherlands (Germany etc)
Functional identical to the LM465 lamp module but with Automatic Gain Control circuitry added.
Nice but for the price I would have expected a two way variant like the LM14.

AM12 application module

220V version with mains connector as used in the Netherlands (Germany etc)
Functional identical to the AM486 application module but with Automatic Gain Control circuitry added.
Nice but for the price i would have expected a two way variant like the AM14.

8-in-1 rf and ir remote

Very nice designed and reasonably priced ir universal controller, it controls all my ir devices without a problem. Many preprogrammed devices and capable of learning ir commands.
In x10 mode can control all 16 units for one selected house code, all lights on, all units off.
Requires rf receiver (433 MHz), like the TM12, with the disappointing range of maximum three meters.�

CM11 computer interface

Connected to the PC this is the heart of my X10 environment.
Used for timed events (switching on/of of central heating), translating controller events to other x10 events, etc.
Has been functioning without problems since installed with the Activehome software.�
The macro facilities are severely limited due to the lack of conditional event handling with or without the PC permanently switched on
That could be implemented with thirdparty software running on a PC, see my opinion on X10 software

Wall switch dimmer

Wall switch dimmer european style. With local dimming/on/off, additional switches etc. Requires live and neutral wires! It is not a two-wire solution like the WS466. So it means rewiring in most installations and for most of us professional help.
Wall plates were in the past not delivered with the dimmer. They are available from professional installers or companies like Technische Unie, not from the common do-it-yourself shops.
Professional design.

DIN application module AD10

DIN rail version. Like the wall switch dimmer requires live and neutral wires! Needs professional installation advise.
Has local switch on/off/disable.
Professional design.

Powerflash module PF284 and Universal module UM506

Typical modified US devices by X10 itself. Looks like they just followed the general modification principles by Hans Attersj� :).
The powerflash allows X10 events to send out by sensing low voltages. Very useful to trigger X10 events.
The universal module is a appliance module like device for low voltages.

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