X10 PRO XPF — 20A Wired-In Filter Installation Guide

Installation guide for the X10 PRO 20A Wired-In Filter (XPF) — used to eliminate electrical noise interference from hard-wired devices that disrupts X-10 power line carrier signals.

Why It's Needed

Electrical devices such as TVs, VCRs, stereos, low-voltage power supplies, computers, monitors, and power/surge protection strips all tend to "dump" electrical noise onto power lines. Because X-10 line carrier products use the power lines as a communications path, they're susceptible to this interference — noise can attenuate, corrupt, or block signals transmitted throughout the house.

Typical symptoms: intermittent operation of receivers — for example, you can turn a light on from a transmitter but not off, or vice versa. The offending device doesn't even need to be powered on; devices like TVs and computers keep their power supplies connected to the line even when switched off.

Finding the Noise Source

Use an XPTT Test Transmitter and XPTR Signal Strength Indicator to troubleshoot:

• Plug the XPTT in at the transmission point — it transmits a constant line carrier "P1" on/off command.
• Take the XPTR from outlet to outlet around the home and record signal strength readings.
• The XPTT transmits a 2V signal; the XPTR can detect from 2V down to 25mV. The lowest signal that can reliably trigger a module is 100mV.
• While leaving the XPTR plugged in, systematically unplug devices (TV, VCR, computer, low-voltage lighting power supply) and watch for a change in signal amplitude — a signal increase upon unplugging identifies the offending device.

Two Filter Options

Plug-In Filter (XPPF)

Once an offending plug-in device is identified, plug an XPPF filter into the wall outlet where the device was plugged in, then plug the device into the XPPF. The X-10 signal passes freely through the electrical system while noise from the device is blocked from the power line.

Wired-In Filter (XPF)

If the offending device is hard-wired, you must shut off its breaker to "unplug" it from the system, then install the XPF Wired-In Filter between the switch and the offending device, or at the breaker panel ahead of that circuit.

Installing the XPF

1. Shut off the breaker attached to the offending device.
2. Disconnect the 120VAC supply from the offending device.
3. Connect the 120VAC supply to the Black lead of the XPF.
4. Connect the White lead from the XPF to Neutral.
5. Connect the Red lead from the XPF to the offending device — this supplies power to the device through the filter.

Note: do not exceed the 20A load rating.

X10 PRO · Tampa, FL 33618 · Technical Support: 800-832-4003