X10 XPDI3 Incandescent & Inductive Dimmer Switch — Manual

Full manual for the X10 XPDI3 Incandescent & Inductive Dimmer wall switch — a decorative-style, dimming Single-Pole/3-Way X10 wall switch that controls incandescent, halogen, low-voltage transformer, and inductive (ceiling fan motor) loads, with detailed wiring instructions for single-pole, 3-way, and 4-way installations.

Description

The XPDI3 is an electronic, decorative-style, dimming Single-Pole/3-Way Wall Master Switch rated for 40–500 watts incandescent, 4A inductive. It handles incandescent (120V standard or halogen) bulbs, low-voltage lighting via inductive transformers, and ceiling fan motors. A decorative paddle allows local operation, and a Power Cutoff Switch is provided for safe bulb changing. X10 Address Code dials (House Code and Unit Number) are located behind the paddle.

Specific Requirements

• 120VAC, 40–500W incandescent, 4A inductive
• Lamps rated below 40W may flicker or operate erratically
• A neutral wire IS required
• The ground wire is not used

Optional / Supplementary Devices

• XPDP-AL — Almond rocker, package of 10
• XPSS — Slave switch for existing 3-way installations (uses XPSP-AL almond rockers)
• XPT2D — Alternate slave switch (transmitter) for existing and new 3-way/4-way installations
• XPF — Filter to reduce load noise that degrades switch operation

X10 Protocol

House Code dial: Letters A–P (default "A"). Unit Number dial: Numbers 1–16 (default "1"). Each X10 receiver module is set to a unique unit number, or to an identical unit number as desired. Each X10 controller operating a specific set of receiver modules must be set to the same letter code as those receivers. Responds to ALL LIGHTS ON command.

Electrical Protocol Note

Most residential homes are wired split-phase, with each 120V phase not directly connected to the other. If an X10 receiver doesn't respond to a remote controller after installation, check that the breaker serving the receiver is on the same phase as the controller's breaker; switch the breaker to the opposite phase if needed, or install a Phase Coupler to improve whole-house communication. See www.x10pro.com → Technical Support → PLC Troubleshooting.

Installation: Single-Pole Operation

1. Turn power OFF at the circuit breaker.
2. Pull the existing wall switch out of the switch box.
3. Inspect the box for a white neutral wire/wires capped together (typically at the back of the box). If no neutral wire is present, STOP — the XPDI3 cannot be used without running a neutral wire to this box.
4. On the XPDI3, cap off the RED wire — it is not used in this installation.
5. Remove the existing switch. Two wires remain protruding: one HOT, one to the light/load (may be the same color).
6. With breaker ON, use a voltmeter between ground and each wire to identify which reads 120V (HOT) vs. 0V.
7. With breaker OFF, connect a white neutral wire to the WHITE wire (tap into a neutral bundle with an added 6–8" white wire if needed).
8. Connect the HOT wire to the BLACK wire; connect the light/load wire to the BLUE wire.
9. Re-check all connections, restore breaker power, and turn the Power Cutoff Switch to ON.
10. Press the switch paddle once — the light should turn ON. Press & hold to dim. Press again to turn OFF.
11. Control the switch with any X10 remote control module (desktop, wireless handheld, security panel, etc.). Default address is "A1". To change it, remove the paddle with a small flat screwdriver at the center fulcrum to access the Code Dials.
12. Attach the switch cover plate.

Installation: 3-Way (Existing Traveler Wires)

A 3-way system uses two existing wall switches operating one light circuit. The Slave Switch (XPSS) installs in the box with the HOT wire; the Master (XPDI3) installs in the box with the wire that goes to the light — that box must have a neutral present, or a neutral must be run in.

1. Turn power OFF at the breaker; pull both existing 3-way switches.
2. Identify and mark the single "common" wire in each box — one is HOT, the other goes to the light.
3. With breaker ON, use a voltmeter to confirm which single wire is HOT (120V) vs. load (0V); mark accordingly, then turn breaker OFF.
4. Install the Slave Switch (XPSS) in the HOT box: HOT wire to LIVE (either screw — common bus), one traveler wire also to LIVE, the second traveler wire to SWITCH.
5. Install the Master Switch (XPDI3) in the light box: one HOT traveler wire to BLACK, the second traveler wire to RED, the light/load wire to BLUE, and a neutral wire to WHITE.
6. Restore power, set Power Cutoff Switch to ON, and test both paddles for ON/OFF from either location.

4-way circuits can be built by adding XPSS slave switches in the middle box(es): connect the two traveler wires from the first slave's SWITCH terminal and the Master's RED wire to the 4-way switch's SWITCH terminal; connect the two traveler wires from the first slave's LIVE terminal and the Master's BLACK wire to the 4-way switch's LIVE terminal.

Installation: 3-Way / 4-Way (Alternate, using XPT2D Transmitter)

For installations where longer traveler wire runs between multiple switches make the XPSS unreliable, use the XPT2D Transmitter instead (provides ON/OFF and Bright/Dim over longer traveler runs). Install the XPT2D in the HOT box; install the Master (XPDI3) in the light box (neutral required). Connect XPT2D's black wire to HOT bundled with one traveler, and its white wire to the second traveler (supplying neutral back to the Master). At the Master, connect one HOT traveler to BLACK, the second traveler to WHITE (bundled with neutral), and the light/load wire to BLUE. Both switches should be set to the same address code (default "A1").

Installation: 3-Way "Create New" (No Traveler Wires Available)

When no traveler wires exist between switch boxes, wire the Master (XPDI3) as a standard single-pole switch (HOT to BLACK, light/load to BLUE, neutral to WHITE), then install an XPT2D Transmitter in a separate box connected only to HOT and NEUTRAL — it communicates with the Master wirelessly over the existing power wiring. Set both devices to the same address code and test ON/OFF from each.

Soft Start / Fade Off & Bright/Dim Control

A short paddle press turns the switch on at full dim and fades up to full intensity over about 3 seconds; another short press fades off over about 3 seconds. Press and hold to dim to a desired level — releasing toggles the dimming direction for the next press-and-hold. A short press from any dimmed level fades the switch off. A dimmed switch resumes its prior dim level when turned back on. To always resume full brightness on power-up, press and hold the paddle until it reaches full brightness before releasing — a subsequent short press will then fade off from full.

Warranty

Two-year limited warranty from thehomeautomationstore.com (THAS), a division of Authinx Inc. THAS will repair or replace, at its discretion, a defective product returned within the warranty period with proof of purchase. Contact: 1-888-423-8972, www.thehomeautomationstore.com, or info@thehomeautomationstore.com.