X10 XPS4 — 20A Wall Switch Installation Instructions (Single-Pole/3-Way/4-Way)

Installation instructions for the X10 XPS4 — a mechanical, decorative-style, non-dimming Single-Pole/3-Way wall switch rated for 20 amps, controllable via the X10 protocol.

Description

The XPS4 handles ON/OFF loads for incandescent (120V standard or halogen) bulbs, low-voltage transformers, high-wattage flood lights, fluorescent lighting, pumps/motors, and appliances. A white LED indicates ON/OFF status — the LED stays on when the switch is OFF (easier to find in the dark) and turns off when the switch is ON. The X10 House Code and Unit Number dials are located behind the paddle.

Requirements

• 120VAC, 20 amps
• Neutral wire IS required. Ground wire is not used.

Optional/Supplementary Devices

• XPSS — Slave Switch, required for existing 3-Way installations.
• XPSP-AL — Almond rocker (pack of 10) for both XPS4 and XPSS.
• XPT1 — Alternate Slave Switch (Transmitter), for existing and new 3-Way/4-Way installations.
• XPF — Filter to reduce load noise degrading switch operation.
• Non-X10 Contactor — Heavy-load relay for High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting and other heavy-duty loads.

X10 Protocol

House Code dial: letters A-P (default "A"). Unit Number dial: 1-16 (default "1"). Each X10 controller operating a set of receiver modules must be set to the same House Code as those receivers. Responds to the ALL LIGHTS ON command.

Electrical Phase Note

Nearly all residential homes are wired split-phase — the two 120V phases are not directly connected. 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; change the breaker to the opposite phase if needed, or install a Phase Coupler (see the XPCR product) to improve whole-home communication.

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 for a capped-off white neutral wire. If none exists, STOP — you cannot use the XPS4 without running a neutral wire to this box.
4. Remove the existing switch — two wires remain: one HOT, one to the light/load (may be the same color).
5. With the breaker ON, use a voltmeter (between ground and each wire) to identify which wire is HOT (120V vs. 0V).
6. With the breaker OFF, connect a white neutral wire to the NEUTRAL terminal (tap into a neutral bundle with an extra 6-8" white wire if needed).
7. Connect the HOT wire to LINE, and the other wire to LOAD.
8. No connection is needed at the CONTROL terminal.
9. Re-check connections, turn power back ON.
10. Press the paddle — you should hear a click and the light should turn ON/OFF accordingly.
11. The switch is now ready for X10 remote control. Default address is "A1" — to change it, remove the paddle with a small flat screwdriver at the side/center fulcrum to access the Code Dials.
12. Mount the switch in the wall box and attach the cover plate.

Installation — 3-Way, Existing Wiring (with XPSS Slave)

A 3-Way system uses two existing switches to operate one light load.

1. Turn power OFF at the breaker.
2. Pull both existing 3-way switches from their boxes.
3. Remove the single common-side wire from each switch — in one box it's HOT, in the other it goes to the light.
4. With breaker ON, use a voltmeter to identify which wire is HOT; mark both boxes accordingly; turn breaker OFF.
5. Install the Slave Switch (XPSS) in the box with the HOT wire. Install the Master Switch (XPS4) in the box with the wire that goes to the light.
6. Confirm the Master's box has a capped-off neutral wire — if not, STOP; you must run one.
7. At the Slave box: HOT goes to LIVE, one traveler wire also goes to LIVE, the second traveler wire goes to SWITCH.
8. At the Master box: one traveler wire goes to LINE, the second goes to CONTROL. The light wire goes to LOAD. Connect a white neutral wire to NEUTRAL.
9. Re-check connections, restore power.
10. Test both the Master and Slave paddles — pressing either should toggle the light and produce an audible click at the Master.
11. Default address "A1" is changeable via the Code Dials behind the Master switch's paddle only.
12. Mount both switches and attach cover plates.

4-Way circuits: can be created using the XPS4 plus two XPSS Slave Switches — connect traveler wires between the switches as described in the full manual's wiring diagram (middle XPSS bridges the Live and Switch terminals between the two outer switches).

Installation — 3-Way, Existing/Alternate (with XPT1 Transmitter)

Use this method when traveler wire runs are too long for the XPSS to work reliably — the XPT1 Transmitter communicates wirelessly (via X10 signal) instead of over the traveler wires.

1. Turn power OFF; identify HOT vs. light wire as in the standard 3-way process.
2. Install the XPT1 in the box with the HOT wire: HOT wire bundles with one traveler wire to the XPT1 black wire; the second traveler wire goes to the XPT1 white wire (assuming Neutral is picked up at the Master box).
3. Install the Master Switch in the box with the light wire: one traveler wire (carrying HOT) goes to LINE; the second traveler wire goes to NEUTRAL together with a white neutral wire from the box. The light wire goes to LOAD.
4. No connection needed at CONTROL.
5. Restore power and test both the Master paddle and the XPT1 ON/OFF buttons.
6. Both switches should share the same Address Code — remove the XPT1 keypad (pull from the bottom) to change its dials; remove the Master paddle similarly.

Note: Additional XPT1 transmitters can augment existing 4-Way+ systems using the existing traveler wires to carry HOT and Neutral to each additional box.

Installation — 3-Way, Create New (with XPT1 Transmitter)

For a brand-new 3-way installation with no existing traveler wires between switches — the XPT1 connects only to HOT and NEUTRAL and communicates with the Master wirelessly over the existing power wiring.

1. Install the Master Switch (XPS4) as a standard single-pole switch (see above), connecting HOT to LINE, the other wire to LOAD, and a neutral wire to NEUTRAL. No CONTROL connection needed.
2. Install the XPT1 Transmitter in a second switch box with its own power run: connect the XPT1 black wire to HOT and the white wire to Neutral.
3. Press the XPT1 ON/OFF buttons to confirm the Master switch responds (with an audible click).
4. Keep the XPS4 and XPT1 Address Codes identical — change via the Code Dials/keypad on each.
5. Mount both devices and attach cover plates.

Note: Additional XPT1 transmitters can be added for new 4-Way+ systems, each requiring its own power run (HOT and Neutral) to its box.

Warranty

2-Year Limited Warranty. x10.com (X10), a division of Authinx Inc., warrants this product against defective material and workmanship for 2 years from the original retail purchase date. X10 will repair or replace, at its discretion, a defective product returned within the warranty period with proof of purchase. Call 1-888-384-0969, visit www.x10.com, or email support@x10.com.