X10/A10 Xanura X10/A10 is a communications "language" that allows compatible products to talk to each other using the existing electrical wiring in the home (220 volt). Most X10 compatible products are affordable and the fact that they talk over existing wires in your home means that no costly rewiring is necessary. Installation is mostly simple, a transmitter plugs (or wires) in at one location in the home and sends its control signal (on, off, dim, bright, etc.) to a receiver which plugs (or wires) into another location in the home. I use the better A10 products from XANURA (Eaton/Holec) for my home automation. The A10 protocol this company uses, is fully compatible with X10 but much more accurate. All the modules I use also have two way communication and status request. X10/A10 is not just the name of products I use, it is a name for the signal that controls them. X10/A10 is a low voltage signal that is passed through the electrical wires of our homes. This signal has no effect on computers, TV's and other electrical devices. This signal is transmitted when the voltage is at 0 volts. This is possible because alternating current (A/C) works by alternating the phases 50 times per second. This is why we sometimes hear a hum in electrical devices. This hum is a 50 Hz hum caused by the alternating voltage. If we could see this fast and light filaments didn't dim off, we would be able to see the lights flashing 50 times per second. This cycling allows a period of time when X-10 signals can be transmitted. Most X-10 receivers need at least 100mv to be able to respond. If there is excess noise in your electrical system, this will cause problems with signal transmissions. Such things as computers, suppressors, TV's and many other devices may cause excess noise. If the noise is at a higher level than the A10 signal, then the signal cannot be seen or responded to. Xanura Features: - Suitable for existing and new homes - No chasing and demolition work - Easy to install - Invisible when installed - Can be operated by any type of switching device - Simple to operate - Can be operated by switches, remote control via a PC or fully automated - Universal remote control device also suitable for TV, video and audio appliances - Can be used for lighting and various types of electrical appliances - Can optionally be operated via a PC with Xanura or 3rd Party software. - Easy to extend A10 circuitry provides the following performance enhancements: - Signal Strength: A10 increases the signal strength of powerline transmitters form 3 volts peak to peak   (VPP) to 6 VPP, effectively doubling the performance of X-10 transmitters over competitive products. - Receive Sensitivity: The A10 module also improves the performance of power line receivers by reducing   the required signal level to 25 mV from the 100 mV requirement of competitive receivers. - Two Way Communication: A10 modules provide both receive and transmit capability, providing user confidence in   reliable operation. - Signal to Noise Ratio: Current competitive products have an AGC circuit that helps to overcome noisy environments.   That AGC circuit requires a 2:1 ratio of signal to noise to operate reliably. The A10 circuit requires only a 1.35:1 ratio. - Noise Threshold: The A10 circuit can operate in powerline environments with as much as 3 volts of noise.   Competitive products quit operating if the noise level exceeds 1 volt. Download documentation Xanura Technical Manual(Dutch pdf) Xanura Product Overview(Dutch pdf) Xanura Product Overview(English pdf) Xanura Stappenplan (new)(Dutch pdf) XANURA CTX35 / CTX15 So with this device I can control all the X10 devices I have operational in the Bwired house. I can send and receive commands over the existing Powerline, so if a light is manually switched on, this controller receives that command. The CTX35 is the preferred controller over the Marmitek CM11a, it has better performace and more options. There is also a CTX15 version which is used for embedding in existing devices. Just look at the below technical manual and see how easy the communication protocol is The Xanura communication transceiver CTX35 (or CTX15) is a power line carrier transceiver with 9600bps/19.2Kbps serial data communications. A building automation system or other IBM compatible PCs can use the CTX35 to monitor and control XANURA A10 or other X-10 compatible control modules. It can receive and transmit standard XANURA and XANURA extended control protocols. Transmit commands and received data is reformatted in ASCII such as A1 ON, B3 DIM, etc. to make it more user friendly than other similar devices. The CTX35 has a received data buffer feature, which insures that the host computer will never miss a monitored transmission. Communicates to a host via RS485 or RS232 at baud rates of 9600bps or 19.2Kbps (default). Baud rate is hard-wired selectable by EATON HOLEC. Other settings: No parity, 8 databits, 1 stopbit. Maximum 30 byte packet via interface buffer (RS485 or RS232). Technical data - Supply voltage 230 V, 50 Hz - Input current < 50 mA - Signal strength sending > 5 Vpp in 5 Ohm - Signal sensitivity 15 mVpp min, > 50 mVpp bij 120 kHz - Serial connection 9-pin Sub D-connector - Approval EN 60950, EN 55022, EN 55024 - Marks CE Download documentation Xanura CTX35 Technical Manual and protocol (English pdf) XANURA SAIX Module The Xanura SAIX I use in the Bwired house for both switching actuator and switch interface. So most of the light switches are handled by this little device. You can mount it easily behind an existing wall switch! SAIX is used in the bwired house for - Living room lights - Bathroom lights - Hall light - Kitchen lights - Scullery lights - Office lights - Garage outside lights - front door outside light   SAIX Features - Sends On/Off commands A10 - 230V, 16A, suitable for ohmic, inductive and capacitive loads - Can be used with current switches - Can control up to a maximum of 2 consecutive addresses - Two-way A10 communication - Status can be requested after commands have been sent - Status can be retained after the mains has been cut off and switched on again - Enhanced reliability A10 communication - LED indication SAIX Description The SAIX is both a switching actuator and switch interface, that can be mounted in a built-in junction box located behind light or pulse switches provided with wiring connected to the associated lighting point. By fitting an SAIX module, lights (or electrical appliances) can also be operated by remote control. The wires of the SAIX module can be connected to a potential-free switch or pulse switch, so making it possible to operate it by remote control. The module has two addresses. The first address switches the live outlet by energizing the internal relay. The second address can be used to control another switching actuator. Download documentation Xanura SAIX Technical Manual (Dutch/English pdf) XANURA AIX Module The Xanura AIX is a great device for checking the status of devices. In the Bwired house I use this module for checking the status of my House heating and my Wash dryer. House Heating (also provides us with hot water) - A10 command K1 House Heating On or Off - A10 command K2 Gas Burner heating On or Off - A10 command K3 Hot water On or Off - A10 command K4 not is use Wash Dryer - A10 command E1 Mains On or Off - A10 command E2 Drying On or Off - A10 command E3 Door Open or Closed - A10 command E4 not is use AIX Description To operate the switching actuators that have been fitted, interfaces are required. When desired, each switching actuator can be controlled by more than one interface. This can be easily accomplished without having to alter the wiring. All that has to be done is that the correct addresses have to be set in, even when the actuator and interface are located in different groups or phases. The AIX is a switch interface that is mounted in a junction box located behind switches or pulse switches. By applying the AIX, it is possible to switch lighting or other electrical appliances provided with switching actuators by remote control. Used in combination with an SAIX, the AIX can carry out various alternating and crisscross switching operations. The wires of the AIX module can be connected to potential-free switches or pulse switches, thus enabling it to be operated locally. With one module, a maximum of four addresses can be controlled by means of, for example, connecting it to two series of switches or four pulse switches/changeover switches. AIX Features - Sends On/Off commands A10 - Can control up to a maximum of 4 addresses - Four inputs for independent command transmission - Can be used with current switches - Four potential-free contacts - Two-way A10 communication - Status can be requested after commands have been sent - Enhanced reliability A10 communication - LED indication Technical data - Power Supply: 230 V +10% -15% / 50 Hz - Supply current : < 30 mA capacitive - Signal transmission > 5 Vpp in 5O Ω at 120 kHz - X10 transmission 1 pulse burst at 0° and 180° - Signal sensitivity: 25 mVpp min. 6 Vpp max. at 120 kHz - Signal to Noise ratio 1,35 : 1 - Connections: screw type terminals or phase, neutral, wire for switch connection - Ambient temperature: -10° C to 40°C (operation) - Dimensions: 46 x 46 x 16 mm - Junction box must be at least 40 mm deep - Approvals: CE Mark Download documentation Xanura AIX Technical Manual (Dutch/English pdf)